Originally from China, it was first known as the Chinese Gooseberry. Seeds were carried to New Zealand in 1904, cultivated into a commercial crop, and re-named for New Zealand's national bird, the Kiwi.
Flightless, small, and with fuzzy brown feathers, the kiwi bird resembles the kiwifruit in a whimsical way.
With bright, emerald green flesh and tiny black seeds, kiwifruit delighted chefs and consumers alike in the late 1970s and early '80s, when it became a hip garnish and recipe ingredient in top restaurants.
Since then, we've discovered that kiwifruit is not only pretty and flavorful, but that it is a nutritional powerhouse. One serving of Kiwifruit has all the potassium of a banana, the vitamin C of two oranges and as much fiber as many whole grain cereals.
These merits have earned kiwifruit a permanent place on the shopping lists of people around the world.
ZESPRI™ GREEN Kiwifruit is grown with both conventional and organic methods and is available in Southeast Asia May through December.
Two ZESPRI™ GREEN Kiwifruits contain:
- twice the amount of vitamin C as an orange
- more potassium than a banana
- more fibre than a bowl of bran
Regarded as a Superfruit, ZESPRI™ GREEN Kiwifruit is also high in trace minerals, vitamins and is naturally low in sodium, fat and has a low GI (glycaemic index).
