Indulge in the tropical taste and sensation of guava! This vibrant tropical fruit is a flavor bomb packed with nutrition and native to the lush regions of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. Its juicy sweetness and subtle tartness makes it a versatile delicacy that can be enjoyed straight off the peel, sipped as juice, or blended into refreshing smoothies.
Whether you're a seasoned guava lover or just discovering its delights, this nutrient-dense fruit offers benefits that are simply irresistible. Check out our guava guide for tips on selecting, storing, and savoring this superfood. Get ready to experience the flavor and nourishment of guava like never before!
Varieties Of Guava
With over 100 species of guava in the World, you can commonly find more than ten varieties here in the United States. Here are some of the most popular varieties of guava:
Tropical White
This variety of guava originated in Southern Mexico and is widely grown throughout the Pacific tropics and Asia. Tropical white guavas are typically larger with edible seeds compared to other varieties. This variety has a slightly sweet and acidic pulp with a strong scent.
Mexican Cream
Also known as Mexican guava, this unique and delicious fruit hails from the lush, tropical regions of Mexico and Central America. In addition, you can enjoy and eat Mexican guava in Southern California, as they are also cultivated here. With its sweet, creamy flesh and hints of floral and citrus flavors, this guava variety is truly a treat for the senses.
Strawberry Guava
Strawberry guava is small and round, with bright red skin. It has a sweet and slightly tart flavor that tastes similar to strawberry, making it a popular choice for making jams, jellies, and syrups.
Pink Guava
The pink guava is larger in size than the strawberry guava, with a sweeter and less tart flavor. The Pink guavas are the most aromatic and can range from pale pink to deep orange-magenta, and they taste like a combination of strawberry, apple, and pear.
Yellow Guava
Also known as lemon guava and apple guava, yellow guava is the same species as strawberry guava, which is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Yellow guava, lemon guava, or apple guava has bright yellow skin and pink flesh with a crisp texture like an apple, and it has a strong scent like a combination of lemon and guava.
Red Guava
Red guava is a small round/pear-shaped fruit with an extremely sweet and floral taste known for its pink flesh. Native to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, the red guava has a sweet, slightly tart flavor.
Which Parts Of The Guava Can You Eat
The entire fresh guava fruit is edible- from the flesh to the seed and grind. While some may opt to discard the rind and seeds, you'll miss out on this tasty treat's full potential. The guava seeds are a chewy delight to enjoy as a crunchy ice cream topping or a fresh addition to salads.
What Does Guava Taste Like
Guavas are tropical fruits with a sweet flavor and slightly tart with a uniquely delicious taste. The fruit's juicy flesh has a delicate texture that is both soft and slightly grainy, with a delicate sweet aroma. The aroma of ripe guava is distinctly fragrant, with a strong musky, sweet scent that permeates the air, easily detectable without needing to bring it close to your nose.
Different varieties of guava offer different flavors and textures. Some people describe guava as having a taste similar to a cross between a pear and a strawberry, with a hint of lemon. The sweetness of the fruit is balanced by a slight tartness, resulting in a fresh and vibrant flavor.
That is if you are enjoying ripe guava. However, picking unripe guava will have a tart, slightly astringent flavor and a firm texture. When guava is unripe, it contains high tannins, making the fruit taste bitter or sour. If you prefer a sweeter taste, waiting until the guava has fully ripened is best.
How To Prepare and Eat Guava: Step By Step
Select ripe guava: Select a guava that feels slightly soft when touched and emits a delightful, sweet fragrance. Ripe guavas have a yellow or greenish-yellow color, depending on the variety.
Wash the guava: Gently wash the guava under cool running water to cleanse the skin and eliminate any dirt or debris.
Peel the guava (optional): Some people prefer to eat guava with the skin on, while others prefer to peel it. If you decide to peel the guava, utilize a knife or peeler to carefully remove the skin from the fruit. The skin is edible, but it can have a slightly bitter taste.
Cut the guava: Slice the guava according to your preference, either into halves or quarters. You may also remove the seeds if desired, as they can be slightly hard and have a gritty texture.
How To Eat Guava
Guava is a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed in various ways! Here are just a few of the many ways to enjoy this tropical treat:
Enjoy As Is
Guavas are perfect to enjoy as they are, and the entire fruit is edible. But be careful when eating guavas as they have edible seeds in the middle, which can be hard to chew. Cut the fruit in half to prepare the guava, scoop out the guava seeds, and enjoy the juicy flesh. Guava is great for snacking or a sweet and healthy treat on the go.
Juiced
Guava is a popular ingredient in juices, smoothies, and cocktails, as it will add a burst of tropical flavor. Blend the fruit with water, ice, and other fruits for a delicious and refreshing smoothie.
Guava juice is a refreshing beverage, and it is a popular tropical drink known for its sweet, tangy flavor and nutritional benefits. Guava juice can be enjoyed independently or used as an ingredient in cocktails, mocktails, and other fruity beverages.
Baked Into Dessert
Guava is a versatile fruit that can be used in various recipes. Try baking guava into cakes, pies, or pastries if you prefer a sweeter treat. The unique flavor of guava is a perfect complement to traditional dessert recipes, and it adds a touch of tropical flair to your baked goods.
Grill it
Guava is also a popular ingredient in savory dishes and pairs well with grilled pork or chicken. Simply slice the fruit and grill it alongside your meat for a sweet and savory meal.
Preserved
Guava is often used to make puree, jams, jellies, and syrups, which can be used to add a touch of tropical flavor to your favorite dishes. You can use these preserved guavas to make ice cream, baked goods, drinks, and more.
Use As Toppings
Raw guava can be used as toppings to your salad, coleslaw, yogurt, or smoothie bowl.
You can also use preserved guava like guava jam or puree as topping to your ice cream, yogurt, avocado toast, pizza, and more.
Guava Paste
Guava paste can be enjoyed in various ways. It is commonly used as a filling for pastries, such as empanadas or turnovers, where its sweet flavor pairs well with flaky pastry dough. It is also a popular ingredient in desserts like cakes, cookies, and tarts. In addition to its use in sweet treats, guava paste can be enjoyed simply sliced and served with cheese or crackers, creating a delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors.
Make It Into A Sauce Or Glaze
Adding guava to a sauce or glaze can add a sweet, tangy, and tropical flavor to any dish. You can use guava to make sweet guava BBQ sauce, sweet and sour sauce, sweet teriyaki sauce, or combine it with soy sauce or vinegar to make a dipping sauce. The possibilities are endless.
How To Store Guava
Proper storage of guava is important to ensure that it remains fresh and flavorful. Here are a few ways and some tips to help you store guava properly:
Store At Room Temperature
Guava can be stored at room temperature for a few days, and it's best to store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. However, keep in mind that guava releases a musky odor at the ripening stage that can attract fruit flies.
Refrigeration
To extend the shelf life of guava and avoid getting fruit flies, you can store it in the refrigerator. Wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Guava will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Place It In the Freezer
If you have a large batch of guava and want to preserve it for later, you can freeze it. Wash, peel, and chop the fruit, then place it in an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Guava will keep in the freezer for up to six months.
How To Choose Guava
Choosing perfectly ripe guavas can be a bit of an art, but with these tips, you'll be a pro in no time!
Look For Bright, Unblemished Skin
Choose guavas with bright, unblemished skin. If the skin is dull, or there are bruises or discoloration, it's a sign that the fruit may not be at its peak freshness.
Test For Ripeness
Ripe guava should be slightly soft to the touch when ripe. Ripe guava should give slightly when gently squeezed as a ripe avocado would. If the fruit is too firm, it may not have reached its full flavor potential.
Smell It
You can tell guava is ripe by the smell. Ripe guava should have a sweet scent when they are ripe. If you can't smell anything or the scent is off, it's a sign that the fruit may not be at its best.
Choose The Right Type For Your Needs
Different types of guava have different flavors and uses. If you're using the fruit for snacking, choose red or green guava, which is sweeter and less tart. If you're using the fruit in recipes, such as jams or jellies, choose strawberry guava, which is sweeter and more flavorful.
