Kiwifruits

The kiwi fruit (or Chinese gooseberry) is an egg-shaped berry with a brown, hairy skin. It has a vivid green, translucent interior streaked with tiny, black, edible seeds, with a texture similar to a strawberry. Although native to China, kiwifruits are now grown in other parts of the world, especially New Zealand, from where it received its common name.

Kiwi fruit contain a tremendous amount of vitamin C; in fact, one kiwi contains as much as ten lemons. They are available all year round, and are ripe and ready to eat when the fruit gives slightly in the palm of the hand. They can be ripened faster if kept in a paper bag with a ripe banana, as the ethylene gas given off by the ripe fruit will accelerate the ripening process.

Kiwifruit may be peeled and sliced to serve with pavlova, fruit salad or cheesecake. They may also be eaten by cutting them in half and scooping out the flesh with a spoon - much in the same way as eating a boiled egg.