Have you ever thought about trying a kiwi that doesn't have a skin? No need to peel it, a quick snack for work, or an easy way to get your kids to eat fruit at school? It's time to get to know the baby kiwis from Joana Pereira, our regional producer from Vila Nova de Cerveira!
But before that, what is the origin of the kiwi, as a fruit?
Kiwis are an incredible source of nutrients that originate from Asia. Most of the species come from China. The most widely grown variety in Portugal comes from inland China.
Although it originated in this area, it was in New Zealand that kiwifruit cultivation became internationalized at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, kiwifruit is cultivated in both hemispheres, and in our hemisphere it is harvested between October and November.
Although the largest producer is China (more than 50%), followed by Italy and New Zealand, in Portugal kiwifruit cultivation has increased significantly, in terms of area and productivity.
However, our kiwis are different. And why?
Our kiwis come from a young producer, Joana Pereira, who decided to grow them on a plot of land in Vila Nova de Cerveira, where she was born. The kiwis she grows are called berry kiwis or baby kiwis, a smaller kiwi weighing between 10 and 14 grams.
Joana's baby kiwis adapt quite well to her region, as there is no major frost due to their proximity to the river.
It has no hair and can be eaten just like our grapes or blueberries, which is incredible, as they can be a quick snack for work or an easy and simple snack for the kids.
Joana relies on the help of her father, José, to maintain the 2-hectare plot of land with a privileged view of the Minho River. At the moment, most of her produce is exported, but our new partnership also aims to start promoting this product on a larger national level.
Kiwi nutrients
Kiwi is very rich in vitamin C, vitamin K and vitamin E. In addition to its vitamins, it contains potassium, folic acid, fiber and other important nutritional benefits for our body.
In addition to these nutrients, kiwis are excellent sources of organic compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on our bodies. Several studies suggest that the antioxidant capacity of kiwis is higher than other more popular fruits, such as apples, grapefruit or pears.
For example, kiwis contain carotenoids, such as lutein or zeaxanthin, which have beneficial properties for our health.
Studies show that a diet rich in carotenoids can help protect us from various diseases. For example, a diet rich in carotenoids, vitamin C and vitamin E can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer, according to an American study . And what food has all these characteristics? Yes, kiwi!
Furthermore, a study Studies of a diet rich in carotenoids suggest that there may be a lower risk of symptoms of depression. A high intake of vitamin C also demonstrates how kiwifruit can improve our mood in general, increasing our energy and enthusiasm, making kiwifruit the fruit of good humor.
What about baby kiwi?
In general, similar to kiwi, baby kiwi has 5 times more vitamin C than an orange, twice the vitamin E of a banana and the same vitamin B6 as spinach. Baby kiwi berries contain about 20 different nutrients.
Baby kiwi was widely used in Asian countries to treat digestive problems, rheumatism and hemorrhoids. There are still several treatments in China that use kiwi.
And how can we incorporate these kiwis into our diet?
Most people love to enjoy baby kiwis quickly and easily, as a snack for school or work. But there are other ways to enjoy these kiwis.
These kiwis can be mixed with other berries and/or bananas to create a nutritious salad. They can be used as a topping for different yogurt bowls at breakfast, or for a protein shake in the morning.
There are countless ways to use our kiwis, and we'd love to know what yours is! But no matter how you eat them, kiwis are always a powerful fruit ready to give you a boost of energy and a good mood!
