From different regions and countries, guava has different names, which include Gujava, Goyave, guave, goiaba, guaiava, guawa, or in English term, guava. There are numerous health benefits this fruit can offer; that is why it is called a superfruit. From its leaves to its fruit, there various known uses backed up by science.
Native to Mexico and South America, guavas are popular in the tropics and subtropic regions. There are dozens of varieties of this fruit that exist worldwide because they are quickly grown, and they can adapt to whatever climate.
Because the fruit is extremely nutritious and delicious, guava juices are quite prized. In terms of their cultural demands, they are comparable to citrus.
There are three types of Guavas:
Tropical Guavas – scientifically known as Psidium guajava. They are considered the best tasting and has the largest and most juicy fruit. This variety is the most frost tender, and they grow up to 10 to 15 feet high & wide.
Strawberry Guavas – scientifically named as Psidium lucidum, this variety has shrubby trees. The fruits are also very flavorful, but the size is smaller than a Tropical Guava. Strawberry Guavas are very productive and grow up to 12 feet high and wide.
Pineapple Guavas – scientifically named as Feijoa sellowiana, is a South American plant but is related to other guavas. The fruit has a tangy, citric taste. This is the most frost-tolerant variety. The trees can grow really tall, reaching 15 feet high with wonderfully gnarled trunks & make good substitutes for olive trees.
Uses of Guava as Food and in Beverages
Like other fruits, you just need to wash guava fruits, and you can eat them raw. They are typically cut into quarters or eaten like an apple. You can pinch salt and pepper, cayenne powder, or a mix of spices to add a different taste.
Agua Fresca, this well-known beverage in Mexico and other Latin American countries, is often made with guava. The fruit, including its seeds, is edible and a key ingredient in fruit punch. The juice is commonly used in culinary sauces, ales, candies, dried snacks, fruit bars, and desserts, or dipped in chamoy. Maybe if you happen to visit these regions, their Pulque de guava is a popular alcoholic beverage.
In Pakistan, guava is their winter national fruit. In the Philippines, sinigang, a sour soup, can be cooked using guava. When you go to Taiwan, the fruit is a popular snack sold on many street corners and night markets during hot weather. It is usually accompanied by packets of dried plum powder mixed with sugar and salt for dipping. In east Asia, the fruit can be included in fruit salads.
In Brazil, a drink which came from the infusion of guava fruits and leaves is called chá-de-goiabeira. The leaves of guava can be turned into “tea,” which is considered medicinal.
Red guavas can be the base of salted products such as sauces, which can substitute tomatoes to minimize the acidity.
HOW TO GROW GUAVA IN A GARDEN
- Always choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil to plant the guava trees. Enrich the soil with any soil lifter improver and fertilizer. If your planting area has clay-based soil, add gypsum and fork in well.
- The hole that you will make for planting the trees should be twice as wide and to the same depth as the plant’s root-ball. Gently tease the roots, and trim any circled or tangled roots.
- Position the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Using some soil, form a raised or doughnut-shaped ring around the plant’s root zone’s outer edge. When watering, this helps keep the water to the desired area where it’s needed. After panting the tree, water in the well to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the young guava tree establishes.
- Water must be once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Mulch around the base. You can use organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane, or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.
HOW TO GROW GUAVA IN A POT
- Don’t feel sad if you don’t have ample space in your garden lot as you can grow guavas in pots or containers.
- Just make sure the pot or container is at least 600mm wide. Fill them with quality potting soil mix. Also, put them under full sun. It is similar to planting in the garden, teasing the roots of the plant, and cutting away tangled roots.
- Position the plant in pot and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well, ideally once or twice a week; still, you need to consider the current weather.
- Apply mulch as well.