Guayaba, Halved

June 20, 2014

Guayabas are Colombia’s greatest contribution to the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) genus Psidium. Psidium includes around 100 species of fruit-bearing shrubs and small trees. Genus Acca was formerly included in Psidium and contains another Colombian fruit, the feijoa.

Colombia’s guavas are typically pear shaped and bright pink inside. The whole of the fruit is edible, though the numerous small seeds that occupy this dense fruit are quite hard and impossible to chew; they may be swallowed whole. In addition to the exterior shape, guayabas also contain large hard cells that give the fruit a grainy pear texture.

This guayaba was purchased at the Los Paisitas fruteria in the Chapinero barrio of Bogotá.

Tags: Bogotá