feijoa

n.
An evergreen shrub (Acca sellowiana syn. Feijoa sellowiana) native to South America and cultivated as an ornamental and for its sweet, tart fruit. Also called pineapple guava.

[New Latin Feijoa, former genus name, after João da Silva Feijó (1760-1824), Brazilian soldier and naturalist.]

Fruit of South American tree Feijoa sellowiana, mainly grown in New Zealand. Feijoa beans are adzuki beans.

[fay-YOH-ah; fay-JOH-ah] This small, egg-shaped fruit is native to South America, though New Zealand is now a major exporter and California cultivates a small crop. It's also referred to as a pineapple guava, and is often mislabeled in produce sections as guava. A thin, bright green skin surrounds the feijoa's exceedingly fragrant, cream-colored flesh that encases a jellylike center. The flavor is complex, with sweet notes of quince, pineapple and mint. New Zealand feijoas are available from spring to early summer; those from California reach the market in the fall. Choose fruit that has a rich, perfumy fragrance and gives slightly to the touch. Ripen by placing it in a paper bag with an apple for several days at room temperature. Ripe feijoas can be refrigerated 3 to 5 days. Before using, remove the slightly bitter peel. Feijoas are naturals in fruit salads, desserts and as garnishes. They contain a fair amount of vitamin C.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: South American shrub having edible greenish plumlike fruit
  Synonym: feijoa bush

Meaning #2: dark-green kiwi-sized tropical fruit with white flesh; used chiefly for jellies and preserves
  Synonym: pineapple guava

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