Guava

**Guava** ( ) jẹ́ èso tí ó gbajú-gbajà ní mímú.Tropical fruit Jẹ̀ èso tí wọ́n lè ká tí wọ́n sì máa ń sé ni mímu.  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. 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
[left|thumb|Apple guava (''[Psidium guayava*) flower]]
The most frequently eaten species, and the one often simply referred to as "the guava", is the apple guava (*Psidium guayava*). Guavas are typical [[Myrtoideae]], with tough dark heavy leaves that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate, and  long. The flowers are white, with five petals and numerous [[Stamen|stamens]]. The fruits are many-seeded [[Berry (botany)|berries]].

== Etymology ==
[[Fáìlì:Goya_blancs.JPG|right|thumb|Yellow-fruited cherry guava, (sometimes called lemon guava)  *Psidium littorale* var. *littorale*]]
[[Fáìlì:Psidium_cattleianum_fruit.jpg|right|thumb|Strawberry guava, *Psidium littorale* var. *cattleyanum*]]
The term *guava* appears to have been in use since the mid-[[16th century]]. The name derived from the [[Taíno language|Taíno]], a language of the [[Arawakan languages|Arawaks]] as  for *guava tree* via the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] for . It has been adapted in many European and Asian languages, having a similar form.

== Origin and distribution ==
Guavas originated from an area thought to extend from Mexico, Central America or northern South America throughout the Caribbean region. Archaeological sites in Peru yielded evidence of guava cultivation as early as 2500 BCE.

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. Guavas were introduced to [[Florida]], US in the 19th century and are grown there as far north as [[Sarasota]], [[Chipley, Florida|Chipley]], [[Waldo, Florida|Waldo]] and [[Fort Pierce]]. However, they are a primary host of the Caribbean [[Tephritidae|fruit fly]] and must be protected against infestation in areas of Florida where this pest is present.

Guavas are cultivated in several tropical and [[subtropical]] countries. Several [[species]] are grown commercially; apple guava and its [[Cultivar|cultivars]] are those most commonly traded internationally. Guavas also grow in southwestern Europe, specifically the [[Costa del Sol]] on [[Málaga]], (Spain) and Greece where guavas have been commercially grown since the middle of the 20th century and they proliferate as cultivars. Mature trees of most species are fairly cold-hardy and can survive temperatures slightly colder than  for short periods of time, but younger plants will likely freeze to the ground.

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.
[[Fáìlì:Psidium_guajava_fruit.jpg|thumb|White guava]]

== Ecology ==
*Psidium* species are eaten by the [[Caterpillar|caterpillars]] of some [[Lepidoptera]], mainly [[Moth|moths]] like the Ello Sphinx (*Erinnyis ello*), *Eupseudosoma aberrans*, *E. involutum*, and *Hypercompe icasia*. [[Mite|Mites]], like *Pronematus pruni* and *Tydeus munsteri*, are known to be crop [[Pest (organism)|pests]] of the [[apple guava]] (*P. guajava*) and perhaps other species. The [[bacterium]] *Erwinia psidii* causes rot diseases of the apple guava.

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. 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 [[Smoking (cooking)|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 ==
Guava fruits, usually  long, are round or oval depending on the species. 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.


== Production ==
In 2019, world production of guavas was 55 million [[Tonne|tonnes]], led by [[India]] with 45% of the total (table). Other major producers were China and Thailand.

== Uses ==

=== Culinary ===
[[Fáìlì:ARS_HPSI41.jpg|right|thumb|'Thai maroon' guava, a red apple guava [[cultivar]]]]
In Mexico and other Latin American countries, the popular beverage [[agua fresca]] is often made with guava. The entire fruit is a key ingredient in [[Punch (drink)|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 (Sauce)|chamoy]]. *Pulque de guayaba* ("guayaba" is Spanish for guava) is a popular alcoholic beverage in these regions.

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 pepper|cayenne powder]] or a [[Spice mix#Masala|mix of spices (masala)]]. In the Philippines, ripe guava is used in cooking *sinigang*. Guava is a popular snack in Cuba as [[Cuban pastry|*pastelitos de guayaba*]]; and in Taiwan, sold on many street corners and night markets during hot weather, accompanied by packets of [[Li hing mui|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 popular 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, [[Fruit preserve|preserves]], [[Fruit preserve#Jelly|jellies]], [[Fruit preserve#Jam|jams]], and [[Marmalade|marmalades]] (such as Brazilian *goiabada* and Colombian and Venezuelan *bocadillo*), and as a marmalade jam served on toast.

Red guavas can be used as the base of salted products such as sauces, substituting for [[Tomato|tomatoes]], especially to minimize the acidity. A drink may be made from an [[infusion]] of guava fruits and leaves, which in Brazil is called *chá-de-goiabeira*, i.e., "tea" of guava tree leaves, considered medicinal.

== Constituents ==

=== Nutrients ===
Guavas are rich in [[dietary fiber]] and [[vitamin C]], with moderate levels of [[folic acid]] (nutrition table). Low in [[food energy]] per typical serving, and with few [[Essential nutrient|essential nutrients]], a single common guava (*P. guajava*) fruit contains 257% of the [[Daily Value]] (DV) for vitamin C (table). Nutrient content varies across guava [[Cultivar|cultivars]]. Although the [[strawberry guava]] (*P. littorale* var. *cattleianum*) has only 39% of the vitamin C in common varieties, its content in a 100 gram serving (90&nbsp;mg) still provides 100% of the DV.

=== Phytochemicals ===
Ewé guava kú fún [[Carotenoid|carotenoids]] àti [[Polyphenol|polyphenols]] gẹ́gẹ́ bí [[(+)-gallocatechin]] àti [[leucocyanidin]]. Gégé bí [[Phytochemicals|phytochemicals.]] ṣe ń pèsè èso àwọ̀ àti àwọ̀ mímọ́, guava tí àwọ̀ rẹ̀ bá jẹ́ aláwọ̀ pupa àti aláwò ọsàn máà sà bá ń ní polyphenol àti carotenoid ju aláwò ewé àti pupa feerefe lọ. 


Ewé guava kú fún

=== Guava seed oil ===
[[Fáìlì:Guava_oil.JPG|alt=A bottle of guava seed oil surrounded by fruit|thumb|Guava seed oil]]
Guava seed oil, which may be used for [[culinary]] or [[cosmetics]] products,  is a source of [[beta carotene]], [[vitamin A]], [[vitamin C]], [[copper]], [[zinc]] and [[selenium]],  and is particularly rich in [[linoleic acid]].

The composition of fatty acids in guava seed oil is presented in the following table:


== Folk medicine ==
Since the 1950s, guavas – particularly the leaves – have been studied for their constituents, potential biological properties and history in [[folk medicine]].

== Parasites ==
[[Fáìlì:Rotten_guava_in_Bangladesh.jpg|thumb|A rotten guava problem in [[Bangladesh]]]]
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. This [[parasitism]] has led to millions in economic losses for nations in Central America.

[[Fungi|Fungal]] pathogens, *Neopestalotiopsis* and *Pestalotiopsis'' species are causal agents of guava scab in Colombia.

## See also

* Myrteae, the tribe containing guava and closely related plants with fleshy fruit

## References