Guava

What Is Guava?

Guava (Psidium guajava) is the fruit of a tree from the myrtle family, native to tropical America. It is known for its thin skin that turns from green to yellow, its juicy flesh ranging from white to pink, and the small, hard seeds concentrated at its center.

Ripe guava has an intense, sweet scent with a characteristic aroma that fills a room. Domestic cultivation in Turkey is limited; it is mostly found imported, fresh or processed (as nectar, jam).

Nutritional Value of Guava

Guava is one of the rare fruits that even surpasses citrus in vitamin C content; 100 grams contains about 68 kcal of energy, 5.4 g of fiber, and 228 mg of vitamin C. It also carries folate and a small amount of vitamin A.

What Are the Benefits of Guava?

With its high vitamin C and fiber content, guava is one of the fruits that can be considered part of a balanced diet. Its fiber content may contribute to a feeling of fullness.

This information is general; guava is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment. People with digestive complaints such as constipation are advised to increase fibrous fruits gradually.

How Do You Choose Guava?

Ripe guava is a fruit that yields slightly to light pressure and has an intense, sweet scent; green and firm ones are not yet ripe.

• The skin should be starting to yellow and slightly flexible.
• The scent should be distinct and sweet; a scentless fruit generally means unripe.
• There should be no large black spots or soft rotten areas on the surface.

How Do You Store Guava?

Unripe guava ripens at room temperature in 2–4 days. Ripened fruit can be kept in the refrigerator for 3–5 days; for longer storage it can be sliced and frozen.

Using Guava in Cooking

Guava is most often eaten raw with its skin on; it is also commonly used in juice, nectar, jam, and desserts. In some cuisines it is also eaten sprinkled with salt and chili.

How Do You Make Guava Juice?

Chopped guava is blended with a little water and strained to separate the seeds. The resulting puree can be sweetened with lemon and sugar if desired and served cold.

How Do You Make Guava Jam?

Chopped guava is simmered over low heat with sugar and lemon until it thickens. The resulting jam is used at breakfast and as a filling for desserts.

Which Recipes Use Guava?

Guava is frequently used in guava juice, guava jam, fruit salad, and tropical smoothie recipes. It is also eaten as a snack served with a salty-spicy sauce in some cuisines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is guava good for?

Guava is rich in vitamin C and fiber, standing out as one of the fruits that is part of a balanced diet. It is a food; it does not claim to cure any illness.

Are guava seeds edible?

Yes, guava seeds are edible but have a hard texture; for sensitive stomachs, straining them out may be preferable. When making juice, the seeds are usually sieved out.

Is guava eaten raw when unripe?

Unripe (green, firm) guava has a sour and firm taste; it is generally eaten as a snack with salty-spicy sauces, but it becomes sweeter and more aromatic if allowed to ripen.

What is the difference between guava and pear?

Although both are juicy and sweet, guava has a more intense tropical aroma, smaller hard seeds, and a much higher vitamin C content.

How is guava stored?

Ripe guava stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. Unripe fruit should be ripened at room temperature for a few days and then moved to the refrigerator.