Kiwi Facts
Kiwi Facts That You May Not Know
• The kiwi fruit was originally referred to as the Chinese Gooseberry, but the people responsible for exporting it wanted it to have a more appealing name. The term “kiwi” was picked as a better name, but New Zealand exporters added “fruit” to the name because a “kiwi” is a nickname for the flightless bird that is the national symbol of New Zealand. So now, it's called “kiwifruit” there and “kiwi” elsewhere.
• Kiwi facts state that the kiwi is the official fruit of China, and they are one of the major growers and exporters of the fruit. Kiwi is also grown and exported by Italy and Chile, which were the second and third top producers in 2005, the last year that facts are readily available from.
• When kiwi fruit is grown commercially, it is supported by structures that hold up the weight, because each of the plants grows pounds of fruit. The vines of the kiwi, facts confirm, need a lot of pruning and very careful observation of temperature and rainfall. They are irrigated if rainfall is scarce, and protected by spraying with water to avoid freezing when the weather is cold.
• Kiwi has more vitamin C than the same amount of oranges so you can see how healthy it is. It has green fleshy fruit that is speckled with very small black seeds. Kiwi grown in California is usually available from November through April or May, and the New Zealand imports are available in off months, so you can find kiwi, facts state, year round.
• The kiwi fruit is a fairly small fruit, measuring about three inches long, and they usually weigh about three or four ounces. The taste reminds many people of melons, strawberries and bananas, but it is sweet, and slightly different from those fruits.
• One serving of Kiwi fruit has ninety-five percent of the Vitamin C that your body needs per day. Kiwi fruit also contains dietary fiber, copper, Vitamin E, potassium, magnesium and manganese. One average sized kiwi fruit only has forty-six calories.
• Kiwi facts confirm that the fruit has many health benefits. Kiwi fruit has antioxidants that protect your immune system. Its fiber supplies you with ten percent of what you need daily, just from one fruit, and this helps your cardiovascular and colon health, and also aids in keeping your blood sugar low. The vitamin C in kiwi fruit helps prevent wheezing in people who have asthma.
• Kiwi fruit can be added to a tossed salad, for color and flavor.
• Kiwis are especially good when served with strawberries, so combine the two for a healthy treat.
• Add kiwi fruit to cantaloupe in a food processor, and blend to make a cold fruit drink or “soup”. You can add yogurt to make the consistency more like that of a smoothie.
• Kiwi adds color and taste to all kinds of foods, but few calories, so toss them into your recipes!