Strawberry Guava FAQs
Have you been wondering if strawberry guava stains and what to do about it? Or how to tell if one is ripe? Or possibly how to store this delicious little fruit? We answer these questions and more below!
What Is Strawberry Guava
Strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum), sometimes called cherry guava, is native to southeastern Brazil along the Atlantic coast. This beautiful fruit grows on evergreen shrubs that can reach heights of 26 feet. The leaves, fruit and seeds of the strawberry guava are edible.
A ripe strawberry guava fruit is maroon to dark red and ranges from the size of a dime to the size of a golf ball. Inside its thin skin, you will find yellowish-white fruit with red-pink dots and a few hard yellow seeds.
What Color Is Strawberry Guava
The skin of an immature strawberry guava will be light green maturing to a maroon or dark red color when ripe.
How To Tell If Strawberry Guava Is Ripe
When ripe, the fruit will be maroon to dark red. Its thin skin will be very easily bruised. Any fruit that is slightly green will ripen on your kitchen counter at room temperature. It should give slightly to a gentle squeeze when it is ripe.
How To Prepare Strawberry Guava
The fruit can be eaten straight from the bush, skin and all! Many people choose to remove the calyx —the small protrusion at the bottom of the fruit. You can swallow the seeds whole or spit them out. This makes strawberry guava an easy snack on the go.
Are The Seeds Edible
The seeds on the strawberry guava are edible, but can be very hard. Many people opt to swallow them or spit them out.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can even roast the seeds to make your coffee grounds go farther or brew and drink them as a substitute to coffee.
Where Does Strawberry Guava Grow
The strawberry guava plant is native to south-east Brazil, but has been naturalized in Florida, Hawai’i, tropical Polynesia, Norfolk Island and Mauritius. It favors a warm tropical climate.
Due to its drought resistance, the strawberry guava has also adapted very well to the southern California climate.
Nutrition Of Strawberry Guava
They are a very healthy snack that effectively satisfies your hunger in a way that other snack foods cannot, making you feel more full without compromising your health goals. Strawberry guava are an excellent source of Vitamin C and A, fiber, potassium, and magnesium. They are also fat free, cholesterol free, and low in sodium.
The fruit also contains a high amount of pectin, a soluble fiber, which has been linked to lowering blood cholesterol and digestive health. Here is the nutrition information for about 16 Strawberry Guava (about 3.5 ounces, or 100 grams).
- Calories: 69
- Protein: 1.2 grams
- Fat: 0.6 grams
- Carbs: 17.36 grams
- Fiber: 5.4 grams
- Vitamin C: 37 mg or 41% of the RDI
- Iron: .22 mg / 7% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 17 mg / 10% of the RDI
- Potassium: 292 mg / 15% of the DI
When Is Strawberry Guava In Season
Depending on where you live in the world, strawberry guava can be available year-round.
At Rancho Santa Cecilia, a farm in California where your fruit comes from, the season is typically from November to July.
What Does Strawberry Guava Go In
The high pectin content lends them perfectly to making jams or jellies. Another popular use is to make a paste to spread on toast or use as a filling for pastelitos de guayaba con queso. This paste also pairs very well with soft white cheeses.
If you want a really sweet and cool treat on a hot summer day, strawberry guava are perfect in ice cream, popsicles, and fun beverages.
For a nice treat for the kids, try making them into fruit leathers!
What Does Strawberry Guava Taste Like
This small fruit has a sweet aromatic flavor very close to that of a regular guava. You may also notice a hint of strawberry when you first bite as well as flavors similar to passionfruit and lime zest with a bit of acidic tart.
Ways To Eat Strawberry Guava
The pectin content in Strawberry Guava make it an ideal fruit for j ams and jellies. You can also make desserts like the Strawberry Guava Bavarois, Strawberry Guava Cupcakes , or a delicious snack like Strawberry Guava Fruit Leathers .
If you are a sweet and savory type of person, a Strawberry Guava paste pairs very nicely with a soft white cheese.
Ways To Drink Strawberry Guava
To make delicious alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, use your Strawberry Guavas to make a basic syrup , then add it to your drinks.
How To Store Strawberry Guavas
If the fruit is still between light green and red, it is not quite ripe. Let the whole fruit ripen on the counter at room temperature until it is between maroon and deep red. At that point, it is ripe and you can store it in the refrigerator. Ripe Strawberry Guava should be consumed within 4 days.
If you have a lot of uneaten fruit that is on the verge of spoiling, make a jelly or jam to preserve them for some time to come.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Guavas
Strawberry guava is safe for dogs to eat in moderation. The overeating of the fruit can provoke gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Does Strawberry Guava Stain
Even though the fruit is light colored, if it comes in contact with light colored fabrics it can leave a brownish stain.
How To Get Strawberry Guava Out Of Clothing
Strawberry guava can be removed using your normal stain treatment. The sooner you can get to it, the better. Stains that have set are harder to remove.