Zhaoyang Kiwifruit

Zhaoyang Kiwifruit

　　Kiwifruit is the fruit of the kiwi plant, belonging to the Actinidiaceae family. It ranks among the top fruits in vitamin C content, with a single kiwifruit providing more than twice the daily vitamin C requirement of an average person, earning it the title "King of Vitamin C." Kiwifruit also contains excellent soluble dietary fiber.

It is a deciduous vine; the branches are brown, covered with fine hairs, and have a white, flaky pith. The leaves are nearly round or broadly ovate, with blunt or slightly notched tips, rarely having small protruding points. The leaf base is round to heart-shaped, with serrated edges resembling awns. The upper surface has sparse hairs, while the underside is densely covered with grayish-white star-shaped downy fuzz. The flowers are initially milky white and later turn yellow, growing singly or in clusters of several at the leaf axils. There are five sepals with light brown fine hairs; five to six petals with short claws; numerous stamens with yellow anthers; and numerous thread-like styles. The berries are oval or oblong in shape, about 3 cm in diameter, densely covered with long, branched, yellowish-brown hairs. The flowering period is from May to June, and the fruit ripens from August to October. The size of a kiwifruit is roughly similar to that of an egg (about 6 cm tall, with a circumference of approximately 4.5 to 5.5 cm), typically oval in shape. Its dark brown, hairy skin is generally not eaten. Inside, there is bright green flesh and a row of black seeds. The texture is soft, and the flavor is sometimes described as a blend of strawberry, banana, and pineapple. It is named kiwifruit because it is favored by monkeys (kiwis); some also say it’s named for the fuzzy, monkey-like appearance of its skin.