APPEARANCE 4 out of 5 stars

Petite dark red berry about the size of a super bouncy ball or a large marble but with the shape of bomb that Wile E. Coyote would use; white flesh and big seeds

AROMA 4.5 out of 5 stars

Sweet like strawberries with a slightly more perfumy vibe

TEXTURE 2.5 out of 5 stars

Lots of different textures going on here: the peel is tender but noticeable, then a slightly grainy, gelatinous section, followed by a soft creamy interior with edible seeds (I spit them out)

TASTE 3.5 out of 5 stars

Strong, sweet and acidic flavor with a tart finish – definite strawberry notes in the flesh and a little bit floral in the peel

OVERALL 3.63 out of 5 stars

You can pop the entire thing in your mouth and it just explodes with tart, sweet, exotic strawberry flavor. This is a fantastically fun fruit but I will say that after five or six of them, I was really tired of the seeds and my tongue hurt from the acidity. Also, for being so “fun” I didn’t go back and get more.

FRUIT

Guava

VARIETY

Strawberry

PEAK

Fall

ORIGIN

Brazil

GROWN

Creekside Tropicals
California

PURCHASED

Farmer’s Market

NOTES

Apparently the seeds can be roasted as a substitute for coffee and the leaves can be used for tea. This just does not sound good to me. I suppose if you were stranded somewhere tropical and desperate for something caffeinated and you simultaneously had the tools you would need to properly roast and brew coffee, then these would be a god send. Although now that I think about it, I don’t actually know that these are caffeinated, so scratch that part. Good luck and do report back if this awful circumstance happens upon you.

RECIPES

Fresh Strawberry Guava Salad
Strawberry Guava Jelly

APPEARANCE 3 out of 5 stars

Bumpy green flesh, pear shaped, softball size fruit, with white flesh and little BB gun, pellet-like seeds

AROMA 3.5 out of 5 stars

Fresh and herbal

TEXTURE 4 out of 5 stars

Soft and grainy

TASTE 3.5 out of 5 stars

Slightly melony, maybe even with a hint of banana, very low acidity

OVERALL 3.5 out of 5 stars

This fruit is less acidic than most guava and has a nice, rounded, mellow flavor. However, that also makes it a little boring. Luckily I entertained myself by spitting/shooting out the little pellet seeds as if I had personally transformed in to an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!

FRUIT

Guava

VARIETY

Vietnamese

PEAK

Fall

ORIGIN

Origin

GROWN

Creekside Tropicals
California

PURCHASED

Farmer’s Market
..

….

NOTES

The man who sold this to me indicated that this particular guava could be eaten while still firm and would be fantastic – unlike most guava where you should really wait until they are soft (like a ripe avocado). So I cut this open while it was still quite firm and I have to say I think he was wrong. Only the very center was soft and that was the part I reviewed above. The hard parts were terrible – very acidic and lacking flavor.

RECIPES

Sticky White Rice and Guava
Sweet and Sour Vietnamese Wings

WHERE TO GET THEM

When in season, you can buy various types of guava at some standard grocery stores, most asian grocery stores and online here. If you get them online, a small amount will go to support the Fruit Maven. So thanks in advance!

APPEARANCE 3 out of 5 stars

Blueish green oblong fruit with a pebbly surface

AROMA 4.5 out of 5 stars

Lovely, strong, sweet scent with a unique spearmint note

TEXTURE 3.5 out of 5 stars

Medium juice, crystallized texture, soft flesh

TASTE 4.5 out of 5 stars

Sweet and delicious with an herbal grassy spearmint flavor that is very unusual and enticing

OVERALL 3.88 out of 5 stars

This is certainly a unique fruit. Strikes me as something that is talked about more than eaten and might win the “most likely to still be on the fruit platter at the end of the party” award.

Updated 11/03: I tried this one again at a California Rare Fruit Growers meeting and oh am I glad I did! It was amazing. I went back for thirds and fourths (it was free!). I don’t know if the other one I tried was overripe or just not that good, but please, please if you see this at a party don’t let even one piece linger on that platter — also please invite me to cool parties that serve Feijoas. Thanks.

FRUIT

Feijoa

VARIETY

Unknown

PEAK

Fall

ORIGIN

South America

GROWN

Koral’s Tropical Fruit Farm
Vista, California

PURCHASED

Farmer’s Market

NOTES

The center jelly of this Feijoa was slightly brown, which I now know means it was slightly overripe. Looks like I will need to try this one again. Also known as Pineapple Guava.
More about Feijoas.

RECIPES

Feijoa and Ginger Muffins
Feijoa Chicken Curry

APPEARANCE 3 out of 5 stars

Waxy looking sunny, yellow globe with tangerine orange flesh

AROMA 4 out of 5 stars

Sweet and tangy with a strong perfumy smell that seems slightly fermented

TEXTURE 3.5 out of 5 stars

Soft and creamy with seeds interspersed throughout

TASTE 4.5 out of 5 stars

Sweet tropical taste with a citrus side to it

OVERALL 3.75 out of 5 stars

This is a yummy little guava with a strong citrusy twang. The seeds are a little distracting but at least they were smooth and easy to spit out (though I am told you can eat them). I want more of these. Seriously. Right now.

FRUIT

Guava

VARIETY

Brazilian

PEAK

Unknown

ORIGIN

Central America

GROWN

Koral’s Tropical Fruit Farm
Vista, CA

PURCHASED

Farmer’s Market

NOTES

About the Brazilian Guava.

RECIPES

Brazilian Rose Caiparinha
Guava Smoothie