What kind of fruit is guava? The latest introduction to guava

Guava, also known as bajia, jishiguo, bazi and other names, is a tree plant of the genus Psidium in the myrtle family, native to South America, cultivated throughout South China, commonly found as an escaped wild species, the fruit is edible, and the leaves contain volatile oil and tannins used medicinally, with effects such as stopping diarrhea, stopping bleeding and strengthening the stomach; the leaves, after being boiled to remove tannins and dried in the sun, are used as tea and have a heat-clearing effect. The fruit is rich in nutrients, with especially high levels of protein and vitamin C, and also contains vitamins A and B as well as the trace elements calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium and others.

The guava tree has smooth, gray bark, and young branches are angular and covered with hairs. The leaves are leathery, oblong to elliptical, with an acute or blunt tip and a nearly rounded base, somewhat rough on the upper surface, hairy beneath, with prominent reticulate veins. The flowers are solitary or arranged 2 to 3 together in cymes, the calyx tube is bell-shaped, the calyx cap is nearly round, the petals are white, the ovary is inferior and fused with the calyx, and the style is the same length as the stamens. The berry is spherical, ovoid or pear-shaped, with persistent sepals at the tip, the flesh is white or yellow, the placenta is enlarged, and there are many seeds.

Guava is a tropical fruit tree with very strong adaptability. It spread to tropical and subtropical regions of the world in the 16th to 17th centuries, such as North America, Oceania, New Zealand, the Pacific islands, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, North Africa, Vietnam and others. It was introduced to China around the end of the 17th century, and is cultivated in Taiwan, China, Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangxi, Yunnan and other provinces, with some places having already become escaped wild fruit trees.

Guava trees often grow on wasteland or low hills. They are suited to a tropical climate and are afraid of frost. Generally, at temperatures of -1 to 2°C, young trees will freeze to death, and the suitable growing temperature requires an average summer temperature above 15°C. It has no strict requirements for soil, and grows better when cultivated in well-drained sandy loam or clay loam, and can be planted in soils with a pH value of 4.5 to 8.0.

Guava tastes sweet and juicy, with smooth flesh and a small core with few seeds. Eating it regularly can supplement nutrients that the human body lacks, strengthen the body and improve physical fitness. Compared with apples, guava contains 38% less fat and 42% fewer calories. It is also widely used in the food processing industry, mainly to increase the vitamin C content of foods, so that the nutritional value of foods can be fortified and improved.