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What is Kiwi
What is Kiwi
 Kiwi is an exotic and tasty fruit that is quickly catching on in the United
States, and other parts of the world, although it is far from a new discovery. Two types
of Kiwi fruit are known: Actinidia arguta and Actinidia chinensis, the latter of which are
the fruits sold in the markets and grown in warmer areas, such as California and
Australia. Actinidia arguta is known as bower actinidia, tara vine, and yangtao, and is
definitely not a new landscape plant. However, it is unclear whether a new fruiting strain
of A. arguta has been promoted recently or whether A. arguta is being considered a new
strain of A. chinensis.
The cut portions of the fruit in this variety resemble those of A. chinensis, but are
about the size of, or slightly larger than, strawberries. A. arguta is a good vine to grow
and has long been recommended for planting as an ornamental vine. Because the sexes are
separate, if fruit is desired both a male plant and a female plant are necessary.
A. arguta fruit is considerably smaller than that of A. chinensis - A. arguta fruits are
about 1 1/4 inches long, 3/4 inches diameter, have a circumference of about 2 1/2 inches.
A pound would contain about 57 fruits. A typical kiwi fruit found in a grocery store is
about 2 5/8 inches long, 2 1/8 inches wide, 6 1/4 inches in circumference, and weighs 4
ounces. Therefore, fruits of A. arguta are about 1/15 the weight of a typical kiwi fruit
(A. chinensis). The skin on A. arguta is smooth so they should not have to be peeled. |
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Mohammad
Ali Awdi
