Tropical fruit
Guava
(
GWAH
-v?
)
[1]
is a common
tropical fruit
cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions.
[2]
The common guava
Psidium guajava
(lemon guava, apple guava) is a small
tree
in the myrtle
family
(
Myrtaceae
), native to
Mexico
,
Central America
, the
Caribbean
and
northern South America
.
[2]
The name guava is also given to some other species in the genus
Psidium
such as strawberry guava (
Psidium cattleyanum
) and to the pineapple guava,
Feijoa sellowiana
. In 2019, 55 million
tonnes
of guavas were produced worldwide, led by
India
with 45% of the total. Botanically, guavas are
berries
.
Types
[
edit
]
The most frequently eaten species, and the one often simply referred to as "the guava", is the apple guava (
Psidium guajava
). Guavas are typical
Myrtoideae
, with tough dark heavy leaves that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate, and 5?15 centimetres (2?6 in) long. The flowers are white, with five petals and numerous
stamens
. The fruits are many-seeded
berries
.
[3]
Etymology
[
edit
]
The term
guava
appears to have been in use since the mid-
16th century
.
[4]
The name derived from the
Taino
,
[5]
a language of the
Arawaks
as
guayabo
for
guava tree
via the
Spanish
for
guayaba
.
[4]
It has been adapted in many European and Asian languages, having a similar form.
[2]
Origin and distribution
[
edit
]
Guavas originated from an area thought to extend from Mexico, Central America or northern South America throughout the Caribbean region.
[2]
[6]
[7]
Archaeological sites in Peru yielded evidence of guava cultivation as early as 2500 BC.
[7]
Guava was adopted as a crop in subtropical and tropical Asia, parts of the United States (from Tennessee and North Carolina, southward, as well as the west and Hawaii), tropical Africa, and Oceania.
[6]
Guavas were introduced to
Florida
, US in the 19th century
[2]
and are grown there as far north as
Sarasota
,
Chipley
,
Waldo
and
Fort Pierce
. However, they are a primary host of the Caribbean
fruit fly
and must be protected against infestation in areas of Florida where this pest is present.
[8]
Guavas are cultivated in several tropical and
subtropical
countries.
[2]
[6]
Several
species
are grown commercially; apple guava and its
cultivars
are those most commonly traded internationally.
[2]
Guavas also grow in southwestern Europe, specifically the
Costa del Sol
on
Malaga
, (Spain) and Greece where guavas have been commercially grown since the middle of the 20th century and they proliferate as cultivars.
[6]
Mature trees of most species are fairly cold-hardy and can survive temperatures slightly colder than ?4 °C (25 °F) for short periods of time, but younger plants will likely freeze to the ground.
[9]
Guavas are of interest to home growers in subtropical areas as one of the few tropical fruits that can grow to fruiting size in pots indoors. When grown from seed, guava trees can bear fruit in two years, and can continue to do so for forty years.
[2]
Ecology
[
edit
]
Psidium
species are eaten by the
caterpillars
of some
Lepidoptera
, mainly
moths
like the Ello Sphinx (
Erinnyis ello
),
Eupseudosoma aberrans
,
E. involutum
, and
Hypercompe icasia
.
Mites
, like
Pronematus pruni
and
Tydeus munsteri
, are known to be crop
pests
of the
apple guava
(
P. guajava
) and perhaps other species.
[2]
The
bacterium
Erwinia psidii
causes rot diseases of the apple guava.
[10]
The fruit is cultivated and favored by humans, and many other animals such as birds consume it, readily dispersing the seeds in their droppings. In
Hawaii
, strawberry guava (
P. littorale
) has become an aggressive
invasive species
threatening
extinction
to more than 100 other plant species.
[11]
[12]
By contrast, several guava species have become rare due to
habitat destruction
and at least one (Jamaican guava,
P. dumetorum
), is already extinct.
Guava wood is used for
meat smoking
in Hawaii, and is used at barbecue competitions across the United States. In Cuba and Mexico, the leaves are used in barbecues.
Fruit
[
edit
]
Guava fruits, usually
4 to 12 centimetres (
1
+
1
⁄
2
to
4
+
1
⁄
2
in) long, are round or oval depending on the species.
[2]
They have a pronounced and typical fragrance, similar to lemon rind but less sharp. The outer skin may be rough, often with a bitter taste, or soft and sweet. Varying between species, the skin can be any thickness, is usually green before maturity, but may be yellow, maroon, or green when ripe. The pulp inside may be sweet or sour and off-white ("white" guavas) to deep pink ("red" guavas). The seeds in the central pulp vary in number and hardness, depending on species.
[2]
Guava production ? 2019
|
Country
|
Production
(millions of
tonnes
)
|
|
21.8
|
|
4.8
|
|
3.8
|
|
3.1
|
|
2.3
|
|
2.1
|
World
|
55.4
|
Source: Tridge Global Trade Platform (from
FAOSTAT
)
[13]
|
Production
[
edit
]
In 2019, world production of guavas was 55 million
tonnes
, led by
India
with 45% of the total (table). Other major producers were China and Thailand.
[13]
Uses
[
edit
]
Culinary
[
edit
]
In Mexico and other Latin American countries, the beverage
agua fresca
is often made with guava. The entire fruit is a key ingredient in
punch
, and the juice is often used in culinary sauces (hot or cold), ales, candies, dried snacks, fruit bars, and desserts, or dipped in
chamoy
.
Pulque
de guayaba
("guayaba" is Spanish for guava) is a common alcoholic beverage in these regions.
[16]
[
better source needed
]
In many countries, guava is eaten raw, typically cut into quarters or eaten like an apple; it is also eaten with a pinch of salt and pepper,
cayenne powder
or a
mix of spices (masala)
. In the Philippines, ripe guava is used in cooking
sinigang
. Guava is a snack in Cuba as
pastelitos de guayaba
; and in Taiwan, sold on many street corners and night markets during hot weather, accompanied by packets of
dried plum powder
mixed with sugar and salt for dipping. In east Asia, guava is commonly eaten with sweet and sour dried plum powder mixtures. Guava juice is consumed in many countries. The fruit is also often included in fruit salads.
Because of its high level of
pectin
, guavas are extensively used to make candies,
preserves
,
jellies
,
jams
, and
marmalades
(such as Brazilian
goiabada
and Colombian and Venezuelan
bocadillo
), and as a marmalade jam served on toast.
[2]
Red guavas can be used as the base of salted products such as sauces, substituting for
tomatoes
, especially to minimize the acidity. A drink may be made from an
infusion
of guava fruits and leaves, which in Brazil is called
cha-de-goiabeira
, i.e., "tea" of guava tree leaves.
Nutrient contents in %
DV
of common foods (raw, uncooked) per 100 g
|
Protein
|
Fiber
|
Vitamins
|
Minerals
|
|
|
Q
|
|
A
|
B1
|
B2
|
B3
|
B5
|
B6
|
B9
|
B12
|
Ch.
|
C
|
D
|
E
|
K
|
Ca
|
Fe
|
Mg
|
P
|
K
|
Na
|
Zn
|
Cu
|
Mn
|
Se
|
cooking Reduction %
|
|
|
|
10
|
30
|
20
|
25
|
|
25
|
35
|
0
|
0
|
30
|
|
|
|
10
|
15
|
20
|
10
|
20
|
5
|
10
|
25
|
|
|
Corn
|
20
|
55
|
6
|
1
|
13
|
4
|
16
|
4
|
19
|
19
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
11
|
31
|
34
|
15
|
1
|
20
|
10
|
42
|
0
|
Rice
|
14
|
71
|
1.3
|
0
|
12
|
3
|
11
|
20
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
9
|
6
|
7
|
2
|
0
|
8
|
9
|
49
|
22
|
Wheat
|
27
|
51
|
40
|
0
|
28
|
7
|
34
|
19
|
21
|
11
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
20
|
36
|
51
|
12
|
0
|
28
|
28
|
151
|
128
|
Soybean(dry)
|
73
|
132
|
31
|
0
|
58
|
51
|
8
|
8
|
19
|
94
|
0
|
24
|
10
|
0
|
4
|
59
|
28
|
87
|
70
|
70
|
51
|
0
|
33
|
83
|
126
|
25
|
Pigeon pea(dry)
|
42
|
91
|
50
|
1
|
43
|
11
|
15
|
13
|
13
|
114
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
13
|
29
|
46
|
37
|
40
|
1
|
18
|
53
|
90
|
12
|
Potato
|
4
|
112
|
7.3
|
0
|
5
|
2
|
5
|
3
|
15
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
33
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
6
|
6
|
12
|
0
|
2
|
5
|
8
|
0
|
Sweet potato
|
3
|
82
|
10
|
284
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
8
|
10
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
6
|
5
|
10
|
2
|
2
|
8
|
13
|
1
|
Spinach
|
6
|
119
|
7.3
|
188
|
5
|
11
|
4
|
1
|
10
|
49
|
0
|
4.5
|
47
|
0
|
10
|
604
|
10
|
15
|
20
|
5
|
16
|
3
|
4
|
6
|
45
|
1
|
Dill
|
7
|
32
|
7
|
154
|
4
|
17
|
8
|
4
|
9
|
38
|
0
|
0
|
142
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
21
|
37
|
14
|
7
|
21
|
3
|
6
|
7
|
63
|
0
|
Carrots
|
2
|
|
9.3
|
334
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
7
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
10
|
0
|
3
|
16
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
9
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
7
|
0
|
Guava
|
5
|
24
|
18
|
12
|
4
|
2
|
5
|
5
|
6
|
12
|
0
|
0
|
381
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
4
|
12
|
0
|
2
|
11
|
8
|
1
|
Papaya
|
1
|
7
|
5.6
|
22
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
10
|
0
|
0
|
103
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Pumpkin
|
2
|
56
|
1.6
|
184
|
3
|
6
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
15
|
0
|
5
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
10
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
6
|
0
|
Sunflower oil
|
0
|
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
205
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Egg
|
25
|
136
|
0
|
10
|
5
|
28
|
0
|
14
|
7
|
12
|
22
|
45
|
0
|
9
|
5
|
0
|
5
|
10
|
3
|
19
|
4
|
6
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
45
|
Milk
|
6
|
138
|
0
|
2
|
3
|
11
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
7
|
2.6
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
11
|
0
|
2
|
9
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
5
|
Chicken Liver
|
34
|
149
|
0
|
222
|
20
|
105
|
49
|
62
|
43
|
147
|
276
|
|
30
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
50
|
5
|
30
|
7
|
3
|
18
|
25
|
13
|
78
|
%DV = % daily value i.e. % of DRI (
Dietary Reference Intake
)
Note: All nutrient values including protein and fiber are in %DV per 100 grams of the food item. Significant values are highlighted in light Gray color and bold letters.
[17]
[18]
Cooking reduction = % Maximum typical reduction in nutrients due to boiling without draining for ovo-lacto-vegetables group
[19]
[20]
Q = Quality of Protein in terms of completeness without adjusting for digestability.
[20]
|
Nutrition
[
edit
]
A raw common guava is 81% water, 14%
carbohydrates
, 3%
protein
, and 0.5%
fat
(table). In a reference amount of 100 grams (3.5 oz), raw guava supplies 68
calories
and is a rich source of
dietary fiber
and
vitamin C
(275% of the
Daily Value
, DV), with moderate levels of
folic acid
(12% DV, table). Raw guava contains
lycopene
(table).
Phytochemicals
[
edit
]
Guava leaves contain both
carotenoids
and
polyphenols
, such as
(+)-gallocatechin
and
leucocyanidin
.
[21]
As some of these
phytochemicals
produce the fruit skin and flesh color, guavas that are red-orange tend to have more polyphenol and carotenoid content than yellow-green ones.
Seed oil
[
edit
]
Guava seed oil may be used for
culinary
or
cosmetics
products. It is rich in
linoleic acid
.
[22]
Folk medicine
[
edit
]
Since the 1950s, guavas ? particularly the leaves ? have been studied for their constituents, potential biological properties and history in
folk medicine
.
[23]
Parasites
[
edit
]
Guavas are one of the most common hosts for fruit flies like
A. suspensa
, which lay their eggs in overripe or spoiled guavas. The larvae of these flies then consume the fruit until they can proceed into the
pupa
stage.
[24]
This
parasitism
has led to millions in economic losses for nations in Central America.
[25]
Fungal
pathogens,
Neopestalotiopsis
and
Pestalotiopsis
species are causal agents of guava scab in Colombia.
[26]
Gallery
[
edit
]
See also
[
edit
]
- Myrteae
, the
tribe
containing guava and closely related plants with fleshy fruit.
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus"
.
Cambridge University Press
. Retrieved
20 August
2012
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
Morton JF (1987).
"Guava"
.
Fruits of Warm Climates
.
Purdue University
. pp. 356?363
. Retrieved
24 April
2015
.
- ^
Judd, WS; Campbell, CS; Kellogg, EA; Stevens, PF; Donoghue, MJ (2002).
Plant systematics, a phylogenetic approach
. Sinauer Associates, Inc. pp.
398?399
.
ISBN
0878934030
.
- ^
a
b
"Guava"
. Online Etymology Dictionary. 2022
. Retrieved
2 September
2022
.
- ^
"Guayaba"
.
deChile.net
. 2022.
- ^
a
b
c
d
"
Psidium guajava
(guava)"
. CABI: Invasive Species Compendium. 2017
. Retrieved
9 October
2017
.
- ^
a
b
Clement, Charles R. (2005). Prance, Ghillean; Nesbitt, Mark (eds.).
The Cultural History of Plants
. Routledge. p. 93.
ISBN
0415927463
.
- ^
Boning, Charles R. (2006).
Florida's Best Fruiting Plants: Native and Exotic Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press, Inc. p. 99.
ISBN
1-56164-372-6
.
- ^
Sauls JW (December 1998).
"Home fruit production ? Guava"
.
Texas A&M Horticulture Program
. Retrieved
2012-04-17
.
- ^
Pomini AM; Manfio GP; Araujo WL; Marsaioli AJ. (2005).
"Acyl-homoserine lactones from
Erwinia psidii
R. IBSBF 435T, a guava phytopathogen (
Psidium guajava
L.)"
.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
.
53
(16): 6262?6265.
doi
:
10.1021/jf050586e
.
PMID
16076103
.
- ^
Price J (14 June 2008).
"Strawberry guava's hold has proven devastating"
. Honolulu Star Bulletin
. Retrieved
7 December
2014
.
- ^
"Leveling the Playing Field in Hawai'i's Native Forests"
(PDF)
. Conservation Council for Hawai‘i. 2010
. Retrieved
7 December
2014
.
- ^
a
b
"Guava production in 2018"
. Tridge. 2019
. Retrieved
16 November
2020
.
- ^
United States Food and Drug Administration
(2024).
"Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels"
. Retrieved
2024-03-28
.
- ^
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.).
Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium
. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US).
ISBN
978-0-309-48834-1
.
PMID
30844154
.
- ^
Onstott, Jane (2010).
National Geographic Traveler: Mexico
. National Geographic Books. p.
36
.
ISBN
9781426205248
.
aguas frescas national geographic.
- ^
"National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 28"
. United States Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service.
- ^
"Nutrition facts, calories in food, labels, nutritional information and analysis"
.
NutritionData.com
.
- ^
"USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6"
(PDF)
. USDA. Dec 2007.
- ^
a
b
"Nutritional Effects of Food Processing"
.
NutritionData.com
.
- ^
Seshadri, TR; Vasishta, K (1965). "Polyphenols of the leaves of psidium guava?quercetin, guaijaverin, leucocyanidin and amritoside".
Phytochemistry
.
4
(6): 989?92.
doi
:
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86281-0
.
- ^
Kobori CN; Jorge N (2005).
"Caracterizacao dos oleos de algumas sementes de frutas como aproveitamento de residuos industriais"
[Characterization of some seed oils from fruits for utilization of industrial residues]
(PDF)
.
Cienc Agrotec
(in Portuguese).
29
(5): 108?14.
doi
:
10.1590/S1413-70542005000500014
.
- ^
de Boer, HJ; Cotingting, C (2014). "Medicinal plants for women's healthcare in southeast Asia: a meta-analysis of their traditional use, chemical constituents, and pharmacology".
J Ethnopharmacol
.
151
(2): 747?67.
doi
:
10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.030
.
PMID
24269772
.
- ^
van Whervin, L. Walter (1974-03-01). "Some Fruitflies (Tephritidae) in Jamaica".
PANS Pest Articles & News Summaries
.
20
(1): 11?19.
doi
:
10.1080/09670877409412331
.
ISSN
0030-7793
.
- ^
Baranowski, Richard; Glenn, Holly; Sivinski, John (1993-06-01). "Biological Control of the Caribbean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)".
The Florida Entomologist
.
76
(2): 245.
doi
:
10.2307/3495721
.
ISSN
0015-4040
.
JSTOR
3495721
.
- ^
Solarte, F.; Munoz, C.G.; Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N.; Alvarez, E. (2018).
"Diversity of
Neopestalotiopsis
and
Pestalotiopsis
spp., causal agents of guava scab in Colombia"
.
Plant Disease
.
102
(1): 49?59.
doi
:
10.1094/PDIS-01-17-0068-RE
.