Showing Food Kiwi

General Information

Name

Kiwi

Scientific Name

Actinidia chinensis

Description

The kiwifruit, often shortened to kiwi, is the edible berry of a woody vine in the genus Actinidia chinensis. Native to China, it is now a commercial crop in several countries, including Italy, New Zealand, Chile, Greece, and France. The fruit has a fibrous, dull greenish-brown skin and bright green or golden flesh with rows of tiny, black, edible seeds. It has a soft texture and a sweet but unique flavor. Kiwifruit is eaten raw, made into juices and in baked goods, prepared with meat or used as a garnish. The entire fruit, including the skin, is suitable for human consumption. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and powerful plant compounds, providing health benefits such as maintaining healthy blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease, and lowering LDL cholesterol. The most notable chemical in kiwi is actinidain, a meat tenderizer and aid in digestion (PMID: 23394982). Actinidain is also used commercially as a meat tenderizer and has medicinal uses (PMID: 24499119). However, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to actinidain, with symptoms ranging from localized oral allergy syndrome to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Primary ID

FOOD00004

Picture