Kiwi fruitActinidiaceaeActinidia deliciosa

Jessica RosinEthnobotany Presentation4/3/13

History of cultivation First appeared in Northern China, in the Yangtze

River valley. Introduced to the western world in the beginning

of the 20th century Missionaries from China brought them to New

Zealand 1952 Kiwifruits were exported to New England 1958 the first kiwifruits were exported to

California 1970 the first crop of kiwifruits were successfully

harvested in California

Major Producers

The top four producers in 2000 were Italy (355,000 tons), New Zealand (229,068 tons), Chile (155,000tons) and France (76,900). Other key producers include Greece, Spain and the United States.

Features of Cultivation Vigorous Plant,

should be planted 3-4m apart

Produce fruit 3-4 years after planting

Sunny position Grow best in fertile,

well drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter.

Botanical DescriptionPLANT Trunk 8in in diameter of a mature

plantings Two Types of shoots:

Terminating/Non TerminatingFLOWER 1-2 inch diameter Whorl of many stamens

surrounds the ovary dioecious or unisexualFRUIT Fibrous Dull brown-green skin Green Flesh with tiny black

edible seeds. Green Flesh = due to chlorophyll,

does not degrade during ripening!

Plant uses Culinary Wine Meat Tenderizer Medicinal

New Zealand docs prescribe for asthma and respiratory problems

May delay onset of macular degeneration May protect DNA from oxidation (prevent

early aging)

Nutritional FactsFresh Canned Frozen

Calories 66 66

Moisture 81.2 g 73.0 g 80.7 g

Protein 0.79 g 0.89 g 0.95 g

Fat 0.07 g 0.06 g 0.08 g

Carbohydrates 17.5 g 25.5 g 17.6 g

Ash 0.45 g 0.45 g 0.53 g

Calcium 16 mg 23 mg 18 mg

Iron 0.51 mg 0.40 mg 0.51 mg

Magnesium 30 mg 30 mg 27 mg

Phosphorus 64 mg 48 mg 67 mg

Thiamine 0.02 mg 0.02 mg 0.01 mg

Niacin 0.50 mg 0.40 mg 0.22 mg

Riboflavin 0.05 mg 0.02 mg 0.03 mg

Vitamin A 175 I.U. 155 I.U. 117 I.U.

Ascorbic Acid 105 mg 103 mg 218 mg

(natural and

added by

pre-dip) There is twice the amount of Vitamin C in a kiwi then in an orange. Kiwi has as much K+ as a banana

Fun Facts Buy kiwi fruit slightly green and put kiwis in a

brown paper bag with an apple to accelerate ripening.

The young leaves of the plant can be used in times of famine as they are highly nutritious.

The kiwifruit skin is completely edible and makes this nutrient dense fruit even more nutritious! Recent study shows that eating the skin triples the

fiber intake compared to merely eating the flesh. And by not peeling the skin, you preserve much of the Vitamin C content as well.

Kiwi Bird:found only inNew Zealand. This shyflightless, semi-nocturnalbird is rarely visible in itsscrub brush and darkforest home.

Sources http://

blog.lib.umn.edu/michaels/thursaft/2009/09/botanical-fruit.html#comments

http://www.fruit-crops.com/kiwifruit-actinidia-deliciosa-a-chev/

http://kiwi-fruit.info/kiwi-fruit/History+of+Kiwi+Fruit http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/Hort_Circular/2002/02-03/Stats/I

nternet/KIWI_FEA.pdf http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=600 http://www.ehow.com/info_8189946_uses-kiwi-fruit.html http://

www.aitc.ca/bc/uploads/sfvnp/2010%20Jan%20ProdInfo%20KIWI.pdf