Feijoa: New Zealand's Unofficial Fruit and Its Global Appeal

The Feijoa Phenomenon in New Zealand

• 🥝 Feijoas, originating from South America, are an unofficial national fruit of New Zealand, embraced deeply into the country's culture.
• 💬 New Zealanders have a fervent, almost obsessive, love for this fruit, wishing for its countries of origin (Brazil and Uruguay) to know its importance to them.

Taste and Texture Profile

• 👃 The fruit is described as having a perfumed aroma.
• 👅 Its taste is a complex mix of warm, sweet, sour, and slightly bitter notes, with a gritty texture.
• 🤢 One reviewer found the texture to be a combination of gritty and gooey, comparing it unfavorably to "snot and grits."

Challenges in Exporting Feijoas

• ⏳ Feijoas have a short shelf life, typically lasting only 2-3 weeks even when refrigerated.
• ✈️ Exporting is challenging and costly, often requiring expensive air freight to ensure timely delivery.
• 🌍 Due to these logistical hurdles and regulations for international fruit shipments, most growers focus on supplying the local market.