Guavas

Guavas are commonly cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The guava fruit can be consumed in both its fully ripe and barely ripe forms. Barely ripe guava has the same texture and profile as eating raw jicamas. Ripe guavas, on the other hand, have a flavor profile that has been described as a mix between pears and strawberries.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Myrtales
• Family: Myrtaceae
• Genus: Psidium
• Species: P. guajada
• Binomial name: Psidium guajada

Guava Trivia

• The leaves of the guava plant are used in traditional medicine as a wound dressing
• Guavas have four more times vitamin C than oranges and four more times the fiber of pineapple
• Guava trees are actually shrubs that can grow up to 20 feet tall
• Guava wood is prized in the world of BBQ smoking

Guava Buying Guide

It’s always best to purchase barely ripe (light green) guavas and wait for them to ripen naturally on your countertop to ensure that you don’t get overripe guavas or bruised ones since they bruise quickly once ripened. Another plus to purchasing barely ripe guavas is that you can eat them like you would raw jicama.

Avoid guavas that have blemishes on the surface as this can be a sign of internal rotting or damage.

If you are in the market for something that you can consume immediately, look for guavas that are still firm but have a little bit of give to it and are just starting to turn a shade of yellow.

Guava Production & Farming in Texas

The guava plant should thrive in areas in Texas where oranges and grapefruit thrive. The only precaution that should be taken is that adequate cold protection while the plants are still young. Full-grown guava plants are pretty hardy, and they are well suited for the Texas climate for growing and fruit-bearing.

One of the reasons why there isn’t widespread commercial production of the fruit is that guava is still considered an exotic fruit by a lot of Americans. Small independent growers can be found in some areas and guavas are available in many farmers’ markets and specialty stores.

Pesticides:

Imported guavas have shown high levels of pesticide residue when tested. Because of their fragile and edible skin, washing has been proven to be ineffective in removing the pesticide residue. Unless purchasing organic guavas, we recommend that you wash and peel the guavas before consuming.

Geography:

Guavas can thrive in almost any type of soil. For the best fruit production and plant health, there must be good soil drainage where the guava is planted.

Adequate cold protection must be observed for younger (pre-fruit) guava plants.

Packaging:

Guavas are hand-picked from the trees when they are just starting to ripen to prevent bruising during transport. They are packed in individual plastic bags then boxed according to the customers’ specifications.

Enjoying Guavas

Due to the high pesticide levels detected on the surface of guavas, washing them is not enough. Unless you’re purchasing organic, it’s recommended that you peel the guavas before consuming. All parts of the guava fruit are edible.

Storage:

You can leave guavas on your countertop for a few days to let them ripen to your desired level. Once the guava is ripe, you can extend its shelf life by a couple of days by storing it inside the refrigerator.

Whole and cut guavas can also be stored in the freezer for up to a year. While it is possible to store them longer, the overall texture and quality of the guavas will deteriorate the longer it is frozen.

Cooking:

Ripe guavas can be added to any dessert as an added flavor kick.

Since guavas are naturally high in pectin, it is an excellent fruit to use in making jams and spreads. Guava can also be used to make sauces and glazes for a unique twist to your favorite dishes.

Nutrition:

Guavas, four times the fiber, four times the Vitamin C.

• Carbs
  • A serving of guava has about 8.92 grams of sugar.
  • While it may look high, guavas have a low glycemic index and a low glycemic load which means that consuming guavas won’t have a significant impact on your sugar levels.
• Fiber
  • A serving of guava contains 5.4 grams of dietary fiber or 20% of the recommended daily intake.
  • This means that it has four more times the dietary fiber of pineapples!
  • Hitting your dietary fiber requirements help keep your gut healthy and free from toxins can cause health problems down the line.
  • High dietary fiber also reduces your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• Vitamins and minerals:
  • Guavas are an excellent source of Vitamin C.
    • Pound for pound, guavas give four times the Vitamin C that oranges provide.
    • The Guava’s skin contains half of the Vitamin C present in the fruit, purchase organic guavas to make sure that you can enjoy the skin as well.
    • Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and provides various health benefits as well.
  • Guavas also contain a high number of phytonutrients.
    • These protect your cells from damage and may provide other health benefits.

When Are Guavas in Season in Texas?