Guava is an exotic and versatile fruit. From the outside, it resembles the fruits of three plants: lemon, apple and pear, and may have unequal volume, weight and unpredictable colors. Only the aristocratic honey taste and rare benefits of the fruits, which are equally popular both in the homes of ordinary citizens and in restaurants, and are also used in popular medicine, do not change.
The tropical apple is an exotic southern fruit. Guava grew quietly and peacefully in South and Latin America, local Indians reveled in its taste and healing power, created houses from wood, made ink from leaves, but one fine day the Spanish conquerors came to them. Finding themselves among the fruit trees and inhaling the fragrance of guava fruits, the Spaniards suspected that they had landed in heaven, and decided to share this paradise with the whole world. So the tropical apple began to be grown in almost every warm southern area.
This is a fruit measuring from 4 to 10-15 centimeters. The skin of the fruit is wrinkled, thick in appearance, but in fact thin and extremely useful. The pulp contains many small, strong seeds. There are from 112 to 535 grains in one fruit.
The color of the peel comes in all sorts of tones: light and bright green, yellowish, pale pink and dark crimson. The pulp is snow-white, yellow and red with all sorts of tints. The difference in tones depends on the variety and location of the aromatic fruit.
The taste of fruit is an extremely mysterious thing. The most delicious fruits are soft and ripe, but the inhabitants of many countries, from India to Thailand, prefer green fruits, which makes it difficult for inexperienced Russian travelers to find ripe fruit for sale. Southerners love to sprinkle sweet slices with pepper and salt, but not everyone will truly appreciate such a national dish.
Those who have tried a ripe tropical apple (this is easier to do in Indonesia) say that the taste of the scarlet fruit is similar to the taste of raspberries, and the skin has a delicate pine taste. Strawberry guava tastes just like strawberries and pineapple, and the light fruits have a delicate and incomparable aroma.
Scientifically the fruit is called Psidium Guava. Guava is the fruit of a low evergreen tree that grows in regions with warm and humid climates. Its homeland is still unknown; this plant was first grown in Mexico and Central America, from where the fruit could have been brought to Southeast Asia.
In appearance, this is an inconspicuous fruit the size of an apple, with a bright green color. The shape can be oval, pear-shaped, slightly elongated. Looks like a lumpy avocado. The pulp has a juicy scarlet tone. The fruit tastes sweet and sour, similar to pineapple and strawberries. The delicate fragrance and taste creates an “addictive” feeling. It is extremely easy to get hooked on guava.
You can also grow a bush at home; the guava plant is undemanding and can withstand drought. The plant is called both a tree and a shrub; when grown in captivity, the tropical guest can reach up to 1 meter. You can plant it from a simple seed from a store-bought fruit or purchase grains on the Internet.
An impeccable variety for growing at home is Psidium coastal. The plant is very grateful and unpretentious, blooms with fragrant white flowers and produces a harvest once every 1-2 years. At home, the plant is a natural air freshener. Fruit leaves are an excellent antiseptic; a decoction of them treats cough and dysentery, relieves fever, and fresh leaves, when chewed, save from bad breath, pacify toothache and reduce inflammation of the gums.
The tree is harvested once a year. If it bears fruit twice, the fruits will be small. From the moment the plant blooms until harvest, three to five months pass. The weight of large fruits reaches 160 grams, small ones - up to 70 grams. The color of ripe guava is yellow, green, burgundy. The skin is cast, wavy, not thick. The thicker the skin, the more bitter it is. The thin skin has a honey taste. The fragrance of the plant is similar to the smell of lemon. The taste of the pulp is sweet, sometimes sour. Guava pulp contains extremely strong grains.
It is not worth purchasing guava from us. It is impossible to find delicious fruits in our country. The best option is to bring some juice and fruit with you from your vacation in hot countries. Guava grows in Vietnam and Thailand, Malaysia and Tunisia, Egypt.
The homeland of guava stretches from Mexico to the northern lands of South America. The plant is grown in Southeast Asia, Africa and India. Few species of Psidium have been found in nature. Strawberry guava is mostly cultivated. The fruit contains many beneficial nutrients.
Application of Psidium fruits:
It is no coincidence that the fruit is called the most useful king of fruits. Its composition is rich in vitamins and nutrients. This is an almost waste-free product; the leaves, skin and bark have healing properties. Guava is an incredibly healthy fruit, containing lycopene and potassium.
Useful properties of guava:
It has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immune-stimulating properties - the real king of fruits. Has low calorie content. One serving contains only 112 calories. With so many nutrients, this is quite a bit.
The fruit is good for diabetics. In patients with the first stage of diabetes, the level of glucose in the blood decreases. It has a positive effect on the skin when applying masks made from pulp.
Closer to the core there are many tiny, strong seeds; you should be careful when consuming them, as you can break your teeth. You need to be more careful and swallow grains, they cleanse the intestines very well.
Regarding the question of how to eat guava, this can be done in various ways. Its skin is edible; the fruit can be eaten like an apple, gnawing one piece at a time, or peeled and cut into slices.
The fruit has no fundamental contraindications, but in some cases it can cause harm to the body. Allergy sufferers and diabetics should use it with caution. If you eat 1 kg of fruit, diarrhea will appear. Green fruits are dangerous to eat because they contain arabinose and hexahydroxydiphenic acid ester, which cause damage to the kidneys.
Thus, this fruit is loaded with various minerals and vitamins that are beneficial for human health. The maximum dose of vitamin C provides an immediate boost of freshness and strength for the whole day. Now, having complete information about the benefits of guava for the human body, you should definitely include this unique fruit in your diet.
Guava is a tropical fruit that grows in hot climates. The guava fruit is called a tropical apple due to the external similarity of these fruits. This fruit is highly valued and is considered extremely useful, as it contains a large amount vitamins and beneficial microelements.
Guava belongs to the myrtle plant family. This family also includes eucalyptus, myrtle and feijoa. The birthplace of this plant is considered to be Central and South America. Gradually, its growing region expanded to Southeast Asia. Thailand was no exception, where these fruits became very popular. This plant has the appearance of a shrub or low tree, the average height of which reaches from three to five meters, sometimes the tallest trees reach ten meters. Guava bears fruit twice a year. One tree can produce up to one hundred kilograms of fruit.
Guava fruits often have spherical appearance, the average fruit size is ten to fifteen centimeters in diameter. Most often, fruits are round in shape, but they can also be slightly oblong and pear-shaped. The fruits are covered with wrinkled, even lumpy skin, which looks dense in appearance. But in fact, it is quite thin and is considered edible and healthy.
The color of the peel of the fruits of this plant has different shades, most often it is green, but there are fruits with different shades from green to red. The color of the peel depends on the plant variety. Inside the fruit is pulp, which also comes in different colors from white to bright red. The fruit does not have a pronounced aroma; it is barely perceptible. The pulp of this fruit has many small seeds.
Guava has interesting taste, but it is quite difficult to describe, since its taste echoes several types of berries and even plants. Slightly soft fruits are considered the most delicious; softness indicates their ripeness. Their taste is reminiscent of raspberries with a slight pine aftertaste. The pine taste comes from the peel. But the most common type resembles both the taste of pineapple and strawberries. The fruit has a sweet taste with a slight bitterness.
Different varieties of this fruit can often differ in shape and taste. The most delicious varieties of guava are strawberry and guava guava.
The fruits of the strawberry variety are small in size, about the size of a walnut. They can be either bright yellow with the same shade of flesh or purple with red flesh. The fruit of this variety smells like strawberries.
The fruits of the Guava variety are large. Peel and pulp color can be either cream or red.
It is worth dwelling on how to eat guava. To do this, it is better to remove the peel from the fruit, although you can eat it with it. The peel of the ripe fruit is only slightly bitter and is considered healthy. The easiest way is to cut the fruit into slices or simply divide it into two parts and eat it like a regular apple. There are a lot of small and hard seeds inside. It is better to remove them, although they can also be eaten. It is worth noting that in this case you must be careful, as you can damage the tooth.
In those countries where guava is cultivated, this fruit is used not only in its raw form. It is actively used in cooking and is used to prepare salads, marmalade, jelly, and ice cream. It is also used to make juices, cocktails, jams, desserts, purees, pastes, and much more.
Gava is very rich in vitamins and microelements, having many health benefits. This fruit has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The peel of the fruit is especially rich in these properties, which also has an analgesic and antispasmodic effect. Also, trace elements in its composition improve brain function and help in the fight against stress. Due to the high content of vitamins and microelements in these fruits, they are recommended for pregnant women, as well as people who want to improve their immunity. This fruit helps well in the fight against anemia, as it contains a lot of iron.
Frequent consumption of these fruits normalizes blood pressure and improves the condition of the cardiovascular system. A positive effect on the endocrine system has been noticed; the substances contained in these fruits are involved in the production of certain hormones. This fruit also helps with problems with the gastrointestinal tract, improving digestion. And guava seeds help in the fight against constipation. For these purposes, they are ground into powder and taken. Guava seed powder is also used in weight loss medications.
Not only the fruit of this plant itself is used. Guava bark and leaves also have beneficial properties. They make tea, which is a good tonic, helps with dizziness, helps normalize the menstrual cycle, and also helps in the treatment of dysentery. A decoction of the leaves also helps reduce fever, as well as in the treatment of throat and cough. Applying crushed leaves of this plant to the wound has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. You can effectively relieve toothache by simply chewing the leaves of this plant.
What is guava benefits in cosmetology. This fruit is widely used in cosmetology. Oils and extracts from parts of the plant are used. Its extract is widely known as a tonic and astringent. Due to the fact that it contains a high content of vitamins, extracts of the fruits of this plant are considered one of the most active substances that restore the dermis. They help normalize blood circulation, improve skin nutrition, help restore skin elasticity and smooth out wrinkles.
A unique and very useful cosmetic component - essential oil. The oil of this fruit contains the valuable antioxidant lycopene, known for its strong protective effect against free radical damage to skin cells. The oil of this plant, which is widely used in aromatherapy, has antimicrobial activity.
When consuming this fruit you need maintain the golden mean, as excessive consumption can lead to stomach upset. It should be used with caution by people prone to allergies and diabetes. Consuming large quantities of unripe fruits of this plant can lead to negative effects on the kidneys and adrenal glands.
Guava is a very healthy fruit with many beneficial properties. It is widely used not only in cooking and medicine, but also in cosmetology. He has a very a small number of contraindications, so it can be safely eaten. But it is always important to remember that excessive consumption of any product can cause health problems.
Guava is a small evergreen tree up to 3-4 m high, belongs to the myrtle family, and tolerates drought well. Blooms once or twice a year. It produces one main harvest - up to 100 kg per tree and 2-4 additional, much smaller harvests.
Guava ripens ninety to one hundred and fifty days after flowering. The shape and size of the fruit are extremely variable.
Guava looks like a lumpy green or yellow apple. The fruits are round and pear-shaped, with bright yellow, reddish or green thin skin.
Guava is native to South and Central America, probably Peru.
The calorie content of guava is 68 kcal per 100 g of product. If consumed in moderation, it will not cause excess weight.
Nutritional value per 100 grams:
Useful properties of guava
Guava contains a lot of vitamins, and especially, up to 10 times more than citrus fruits (240 mg per 100 grams), so they are recommended to be used to strengthen the lymphatic system and to increase the overall tone in the body.
Guava is very rich in fiber, proteins and fats, calcium, phosphorus and iron.
According to European nutritionists, guava is a wonderful, important and absolutely irreplaceable element that forms the basis of baby food and the diet of expectant mothers, a product that strengthens the immune system and perfectly restores strength.
Crushed guava leaves are applied to fresh and abscessing wounds. They are also chewed for toothache. A decoction of the leaves is used as a cough remedy, for gargling, and also for diseases of the oral cavity. The decoction is used as an antipyretic and for skin diseases.
Ripe guava has a pleasant and very strong smell.
If you bring such guava into a smoky room, its smell will drown out the smell of tobacco.
Guava makes excellent jams and jellies, due to the high pectin content in the fruit, as well as juices, salads, jellies, syrups, purees and a paste similar to quince.
Guava can be preserved, the fruit can be made into spices, butter, jam, pies, ketchup or chutney.
Guava jelly, which can be spread on bread or served with venison or roast pork, tastes delicious and is healthy. Jelly is very easy to prepare: all you need is the fruit itself, lemon juice and sugar. Guava can also be used in place of apples, which do not grow in Thailand, and can be used to make wonderful purees, compotes and pie fillings.
Guava is ideal for making baking fillings.
Jam is made from guava fruits. Guava is used in ice cream. The fruits are added to waffles, puddings, and milkshakes. Due to its sugary consistency, guava goes well with sweet, sour and sweet fruits, as well as with all dairy products.
In addition to its pleasant taste, it also has many beneficial properties. Guava is a fruit whose red or pink pulp can have antimicrobial and bactericidal, astringent and antispasmodic effects on the human body. It contains vitamin C. Moreover, guava surpasses citrus fruits in the amount of this component. The juice obtained from the exotic fruit perfectly strengthens the immune system and serves as an excellent prophylactic to prevent colds.
Guava is a fruit to which, unlike oranges, an allergic reaction is very rare. That is why, when creating a menu for a child, it is recommended to pay attention to this fruit. Doctors and nutritionists advise expectant mothers to consume guava. This will perfectly restore strength, and without any unwanted side effects. It is recommended for all women to become friends with this fruit. in a vase can absorb unpleasant odors in the room and bring tropical aromas. A glass of juice squeezed from an exotic fruit, drunk in the morning, will help relieve the painful sensations that accompany women on their menstrual days.
Guava contains a lot of fiber, fats, proteins, iron, calcium, phosphorus and B vitamins. Residents of Brazil use this fruit to eliminate diarrhea, and Panamanians use it to treat asthma, pneumonia, inflammation in the throat and bronchitis. In the West Indies, guava is a popular remedy for seizures and epilepsy. Filipinos consume it as a fruit that can strengthen the heart muscle, and Israelis include this fruit in their diet as a healthy and very tasty delicacy.
How to eat guava? You can eat the fruit with the seeds, or if it is more convenient, then in cut form. When the fruits are ripe, you can eat them directly with the skin. It is a little bitter, but very healthy. It is recommended to consume the thin skin of the fruit to stimulate the digestive function of the gastrointestinal tract, improve heart function and normalize blood pressure.
The use of guava for cooking is very diverse. It is limited only by the imagination of the cook. The fruit is used for baking and making juices, jellies, marmalade and milkshakes. And, naturally, ripe fruits, which are pleasant and healthy for humans, are very popular.
Guava is an exotic fruit with yellow or green skin and light flesh. It has a sweet taste that is both pear and strawberry.
Guava is used to make jams and jellies. The fruit is preserved and added to the filling of confectionery products. Fresh fruits are rich in vitamins A, B and C.
The composition of guava is nutritious. The fruit is a source of vitamins, copper, calcium, iron and phosphorus. The vitamin C content in guava fruits is 2-5 times higher than in citrus fruits.
Composition 100 gr. Guava as a percentage of the daily value:
Calorie content of guava – 68 kcal/100 g.
Nutritional value 100 gr. guavas:
The benefits of guava include weight loss, cancer prevention, and lowering blood sugar levels. The fruit will help relieve toothache and wound healing. The fruit treats epilepsy and seizures, helps improve skin, and fight coughs and colds.
The fiber in guava improves blood pressure and heart health. The fruit reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol and increases the level of “good” cholesterol.
Vitamin C in guava helps in treating cough and cold. Guava is rich in vitamins B3 and B6, which improve the nervous system and stimulate brain function.
Vitamin A in guava improves vision and inhibits the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Guava is one of the best natural remedies for digestive problems. It relieves constipation, strengthens gums, helps nutrients absorb and protects against hemorrhoids.
The fruit contains few calories and quickly relieves hunger - these properties make it possible to use the fruit for weight loss.
Guava decoction relieves cramps, fever and helps fight intestinal infections, such as staphylococcus. It is used externally to treat skin diseases, lichen, wounds and ulcers. It quickly relieves inflammation on the skin.
Copper in guava is good for the thyroid gland. Studies have proven that consuming guava relieves menstrual pain and uterine cramps.
Guava helps get rid of acne and smoothes the skin, including getting rid of wrinkles.
In recent years, there has been a lot of research into the effects of guava on prostate, breast and oral cancer. Antioxidants in guava prevent the development and growth of cancer cells.
The dangers of guava occur when this fruit is consumed in excess. A common side effect is an allergic reaction to the components of the fruit.
Diabetics should take into account the fructose content in fruits to avoid sugar spikes.
Guava may cause breathing problems in people with respiratory conditions.
Pick a guava like a pear - it should be firm, but should leave a mark when pressed. Most often they sell hard fruits, which will ripen within a few days after purchase.
Firm guava will ripen at home at room temperature in 2-3 days and can be stored for a week. It will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. The best way to preserve it is to process it into juice, jam or jelly.
