The feijoa, or pineapple guava, is a type of fruit more commonly found in South America, Russia, Iran, New Zealand, and Australia. But they do tend to pop up in supermarkets around the U.S. and other parts of the world as well. Would you like to know what a feijoa tastes like? Keep reading and you'll find out this and more.
Feijoas are egg-shaped fruits that are 2-3" in length. The most common way to eat a them is to slice in half and scoop out the flesh inside. The skin is edible, but it is usually discarded.
What does a feijoa taste like?
A feijoa contains a sweet, cream-colored pulp that has a unique, aromatic flavor. It could be described as a cross between a starfruit, pear, pineapple, and guava. The texture close to the skin is somewhat grainy although not unpleasant. Towards the center of the fruit, it transforms into a softer jelly-like consistency. This jelly center becomes more pronounced as the fruit ripens.
Related articles:
How do I freeze feijoas?
What does amla taste like?
A comparison of papaya and pawpaw
What do jazz apples taste like?
Best uses for feijoas
The taste is certainly not overwhelming which makes this fruit an ideal candidate for a range of uses including:
- juices and smoothies
- salads and fruit salads
- jams and jellies
- baked desserts or cookies
- sorbet and ice cream
Of course, you can always eat them on their own. I have spent many hours as a child next to our huge feijoa tree, tearing them apart with my teeth, eating massive quantities of them.
An infographic all about feijoas.
Feijoa Muffins Recipe
Be sure to check out our feijoa muffins recipe if you enjoy cooking with these fruits. It's a great way to use up leftover feijoas if you've got too many lying around.
How to test if the fruit is ripe
Deciding if a feijoa is ripe isn't all that easy. The external skin maintains that dark green color even as it matures and starts to go off. A gentle squeeze is a good indicator though. If it feels like rock then it's not ripe. Look for a feijoa with a little "give" when you squeeze it.
When slicing the fruit open, it should have a clear center. If it's opaque then the fruit isn't ripe. Any browning is a warning that the fruit has passed its best.
Related articles:
What does pomelo taste like?
What does ackee taste like?
Final words
In most parts of the world, feijoas aren't nearly as common as everyday fruit like apples, pears, and bananas. But that shouldn't stop you from buying a bag the next time you see them in store. They're a lovely sweet fruit with a taste that compares to pear, pineapple, and guava.
Feijoas are an excellent option for school lunches as they don't take up a lot of room and they'll take a few knocks. Packed with vitamins, they're a nutritional snack that'll keep the kids (and yourself) powering through the day.
The secret is to buy feijoas in peak season. Any other time they're very expensive or, in most cases, not available. Even when they're in season (during Fall) they can still be quite expensive.
If you decide that feijoas are to your taste then your best option is to plant a tree. Just make sure there's room. Even a small tree will produce a lot of fruit. If you're overwhelmed by their yield then preserve them, create jams, desserts, and lots more scrumptious food. Keep in mind that these trees will eventually grow up to 15 feet tall so they'll also need room to expand.
Leave a Reply