Kiwi

Kiwi

By: Marie Morud

Kiwi, also known as kiwifruit or Chinese Gooseberries, is the fuzzy brown fruit of a flowering plant that belongs to the family Actinidiaceae.  Actinidiaceae deliciosa is the scientific name for this popular green-fleshed fruit with rows of up to 1,500 tiny black edible seeds.  The soft texture and sweet-tart flavor make kiwi an exciting addition to recipes or enjoyed by itself.

Botanically classified as a berry, kiwi originated in the temperate forests of the mountains and hills of southwest China.  After Spanish missionaries visited the country, seeds were transported to New Zealand in the early 1900s, where they were planted and first grown commercially. Originally called the Chinese gooseberry, the fruit was later renamed to kiwifruit after the New Zealand national bird, the kiwi, which also happens to be fuzzy and brown.  In 1958, the first shipment of kiwi arrived in California, and by 1970, the first successful crop of California kiwi was harvested.  Other species of kiwi have been developed over the years, including cold-hardy species red kiwi, silver vine, and purple kiwi.  We also frequently see the Golden kiwi, with smoother skin and sweeter, yellow flesh.

California grows about 98% of the kiwi grown in the United States, available October through May.  We import kiwi from Chile and New Zealand year-round, as well.  The vining trees that kiwis grow on produce very fragrant flowers, which help them get pollinated by bees.  Kiwis are part of the dioecious population with separate male and female plants.  Male kiwi plants produce pollen, but no seeds.  Female plants produce seeds, but no pollen. Commercial growers must have about one male plant for every eight to nine female plants for proper pollination to take place.  

One kiwi provides 80% of an adult’s daily vitamin C requirement.  Vitamin C is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and helping our bodies heal.  Kiwi is also a good source of fiber, helping us feel full and maintain regular bathroom habits.  Kiwi also contains potassium, which helps our bodies maintain a healthy balance of fluids and electrolytes, and also maintain healthy blood pressure.  While most people opt to peel their kiwi, as the skin is fuzzy, that skin is edible and actually contains a lot of nutrients.  The fuzz can be rubbed off of the skin when washing, if you want to try eating it.  People who are allergic to latex are likely to also be allergic to kiwi, avocado, and bananas.  This is due to cross-reactivity, meaning some proteins in these foods are structurally similar to latex proteins.