Feijoa Botanical Name: Feijoa sellowiana (Myrtaceae)
General Description/History: - Oval in shape 20 to 80mm long - Dull green with a whitish bloom - Skin is thin, inedible enclosing a whitish layer of granular flesh and a central mass of translucent jelly like pulp - 20 to 30 very small seeds The feijoa is a small, evergreen tree or shrub and grows to a height of 4m or more. It produces an attractive burst of red flowers in spring months. Leaves are coloured green on the upper surface and silvery grey on the under side. Select firm fruit with blemish-free, green to yellow/green skin which emits an exotic aroma. Fruit are eaten fresh by themselves, or served with ice cream or fruit salad. Juice from the fruit is blended with other fruit juices, as it is a bit strong on its own. Once cut the fresh surface will oxidise (turn brown). Feijoas can be used in the making of jams, chutneys, jellies and wine. Feijoas are one of the hardiest fruit trees, capable of withstanding both drought and very cold temperatures. They are tolerant of a wide range of soil types provided drainage is good. When planted close together, they form a hedge. The feijoa needs a subtropical climate with low humidity. The flavour of the fruit is much better when grown in cool rather than in warm regions. The feijoa is generally grown from seed and reproduces fairly true to type. The plant fruits in 3-5 years from seed. The feijoa requires little care beyond good soil preparation before planting. The feijoa was discovered growing naturally in South America by the German explorer, Sellow, in the early 19th century. The tree is thought to have originated in Paraguay, Southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Northern Argentina. It is sometimes referred to as the pineapple guava.
Alternative Names: Guavasteen Pineapple guava
Availability:  Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec   Availability                                                                         Available in March, April, May, June and July
Growing Areas: VIC - Sunraysia SA Adelaide Hills, Riverland NZ
Nutritional Value: Feijoas are a good source of vitamin C and low in kilojoules, 80kJ/100g.
Storage/Handling: 0°C and 90-100% relative humidity. Ground harvested fruit will store well in cool room conditions for up to 6 weeks, and fruit picked from the tree may be stored at 3-5°C for 2-3 months, then allowed to ripen over a period of 714 days at room temperature. If picked from the tree before they are ready to fall or if eaten before they are fully ripe the fruits will not have their rich flavour. Consumer Storage: Ripen at room temperature and store in the refrigerator crisper for a short time.
Recipes:
Summer Fruit Platter