Guava 101: The "Queen" of Fruits Quiz

Answer: Psidium guajava

Perhaps the most common scientific name attributed to guava tree species is Psidium guajava. "Psidium" refers to the genus, itself being part of the Myrtaceae family which also includes the myrtle plant and feijoa fruit (otherwise known as pineapple guava). Guava goes by many names depending on where in the world you are, for instance: jambu batu (Malaysia/Indonesia), goyave (French-speaking countries), and kuawa (Hawaii).

The other scientific names provided are for other common fruits: Malus pumila is the apple; Citrus sinensis is the sweet orange; and Solanum lycopersicum is the tomato. Botanists say the tomato is a fruit; nutritionists and the U.S. Supreme Court say it's a vegetable (see Nix v. Hedden from 1893, where the Court held that for purposes of the Tariff Act of 1883, tomatoes were to be classified as a vegetable).

Answer: America

Although now cultivated in many countries ranging from France to China, the guava is thought to have originated in America (more specifically, in Central and South America). It has been eaten by both humans and animals for centuries. Given that guava is a tropical fruit, it makes sense that it was originally grown in the warm climates of Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico.

Answer: Yes

Seeds in some fruit, such as those in nectarines, plums, or peaches, are not safe to eat because they may contain trace amounts of a chemical called amygdalin. During digestion, amygdalin may become cyanide and cause complications in rare cases (though it shouldn't be harmful to accidentally consume a few). Differently, guava seeds are normally edible and may even have some health benefits too! Eating guava seeds has been associated with constipation relief and lowering blood pressure because of their potassium content.

Answer: Green

Like many fruits, the outside of guava can vary in color. However, one of the most typical colors found in guavas is green. Most of the time, the fruit will have a bright green color when it's still on the tree. Many people choose to eat it that way, while others wait for it to become completely yellow. Guavas can also be found in colors like orange or purple.

Guava trees are shallow-rooted and need to be pruned given the rate of growth of their leaves. Crushed guava tree leaves are aromatic too. The original author of this quiz suggested the following: "out with the little pineapple tree in your car, here comes the lovely guava scent."

Answer: Grayish

The color of guava can vary not only from the outside, but also on the inside of the fruit. The yellow-pink and red varieties are typically the sweeter kind of guavas, perfect for mixing drinks (such as pineapple and guava for instance). The whiter variety is a bit less sweet and thus perfect on its own for a delicious and refreshing drink. If the inside of guava looks grayish, something has gone very wrong!

Answer: Rum

A mojito is a cocktail that is usually prepared with rum, sugar, mint, and lime as its main ingredients. The concoction originated in Cuba where rum is produced on a large scale. Rum, a liquor that is made by fermenting and distilling sugarcane molasses, can be drunk by itself or mixed with other ingredients to create new drinks. One such variation is the guava mojito, a simple, fresh cocktail prepared by combining guava juice, white rum, mint, lime juice, and simple syrup. It's best served over crushed ice.

Other types of drinks are also commonly mixed with guava; for instance, vodka may be used to make a guava cosmopolitan.

Answer: It is invasive and potentially toxic.

Better known as the strawberry guava or the cherry guava, Psidium cattleyanum is an invasive species because it grows at a very aggressive rate. Indeed, many use the plant named in honor of horticulturist William Cattley as a landscape plant and not to harvest its fruits. That is because it may produce toxic chemicals in its leaves that prevent the growth of other plants.

The fruits of this species are usually purple and they can be eaten, though due to their propensity to attract fruit flies, they are not widely available for purchase.

Answer: Mexico

The variety of "guayaba" most commonly consumed in Mexico is yellow, but one can also find it in other colors (for instance, the Mexican Cream variety has white flesh). The fruit is typically eaten on its own or used to prepare desserts. For instance, a "postre de guayaba" (which translates to "guava dessert") is made by combining guava, condensed milk, and cream cheese. Pies and cakes may also be prepared with the fruit.

Answer: Vitamin C

Many tropical fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are rich in Vitamin C. This vitamin is commonly associated with a plethora of health benefits like the prevention of cardiovascular and eye disease. Many also eat foods rich in Vitamin C as a way to prevent the common cold, though there has not been any concrete evidence proving that Vitamin C is as effective at this.

Guava contains high concentrations of Vitamin C (often more than oranges), which helps the body in the production of collagen. This means that the collagen needed in the scalp for hair growth will increase, which explains the association of guava with hair growth.

Answer: The guava collapses when pressed.

Unfortunately, guavas can rot very quickly if not eaten promptly or otherwise conserved. Once guavas are purchased, one should aim to eat them as soon as possible before they rot. Guavas can be shiny and soft; as a matter of fact, being soft usually means the guava will taste sweeter.

However, if the guava easily breaks apart when pressed, the fruit is probably spoiled. Other signs of spoilage include a foul smell or a brownish color outside the fruit.