Feijoa (Acca, Pineapple Guava)

Feijoa (Acca, Pineapple Guava)
Feijoa sellowiana Berg. (Acca sellowiana Burr)
Myrtaceae Family

Description of Feijoa

Feijoa evergreen tree height 6.6–16.4 ft (2–5 m) spreading dense crown shrub. Young gray-greenish shoots later brown hairs rusty-red adult branches brown pubescent often cracked bark; trunks grayish peeling after smooth brown. Leaves opposite leathery narrowly ovate short elliptical length 1.2–2.4 in (3–6 cm) width 0.8–1.6 in (2–4 cm) apex obtuse weakly pointed base cuneate rounded entire upper dark-green lower silvery densely pubescent prominent aromatic glands; petioles short thick. Flowers bisexual regular length 1.2–1.6 in (3–4 cm) solitary 2–5 leaf axils; calyx 4 sepals outer silvery pubescent inner red-brown remaining fruit; petals fleshy 4–7 outer white inner purple-crimson stamens crimson pink. Blooms early May lasts 2 months. Fruit berry four multi-seeded nests thick smooth some varieties slightly rough skin weakly pitted-tuberculate surface first dull-green whitish-felt ripening yellowish waxy bloom rounded oblong-ovoid length 1.6–2.8 in (4–7 cm) 1.2–2 in diameter; pulp dense white-creamy fleshy juicy contains stony cells sour-sweet refreshing taste pleasant unique strawberry-pineapple aroma; fruit weight 0.53–4.6 oz (15–130 g); fruits store no more month. Seeds small length 0.06–0.08 in (1.5–2 mm) kidney-shaped light-yellow. Known two more species. Black Sea fruits market October–November size 1.8×1.2 in bluish-green; some varieties blush cut under skin dense whitish-green layer center translucent mass seeds.

 

Distribution and Ecology of Feijoa

Native subtropical tropical South America (Uruguay southern Brazil northern Argentina Paraguay) wild mountain forests edges. Cultivated Black Sea Russia (Krasnodar Krai Sochi) Crimea Georgia Azerbaijan (Talysh) Abkhazia North Caucasus subtropical USA (California Florida) Australia New Zealand Mediterranean (Italy Spain) South Africa Japan Europe. Russia from France 1899. Prefers loose well-drained fertile soils neutral slightly acidic (pH 5.5–7.0). Shade-tolerant abundant fruiting 6–8 hours sun day. Optimal growth 64–77°F (18–25°C); withstands brief frosts 14°F (-10°C) young need cover. Regular watering (1–2 times week) flowering (May–June) fruit formation (July–September) no waterlogging. Propagates seeds cuttings layers seed for breeding. Culture varieties ‘Coolidge’ ‘Mammoth’ ‘Superba’ large fruits high yield. Care prune dry branches organic mineral fertilizers (spring autumn) protect scale fruit fly. Ecologically biodiversity attracts pollinators (bees bumblebees) roots prevent soil erosion slopes. Some regions (Australia) invasive displacing native flora.

 

Raw Materials from Feijoa

Main raw fruits (fructus Feijoa sellowiana) rarely flower petals leaves. Fruits harvested October–November full maturity yellowish waxy easily detach. Manual avoid skin damage storage (up 1 month 32–41°F/0–5°C). Petals May–June flowering leaves vegetation (May–August) young preferred. Dry fruits 104–122°F (40–50°C) dryers canopy avoid sun preserve iodine vitamin C essential oils. Petals leaves 95–104°F (35–40°C) ventilated. Dry yield: fruits 15–20% petals 20–25% leaves 25–30%. Quality: ≤5% unripe 2% impurities (leaves branches) 0.5% mineral. Store fruits sealed petals leaves paper/cloth dry humidity ≤12%. Shelf: fruits 1 year petals leaves 2 years. Check mold insects (codling moth).

 

Chemical Composition of Feijoa

Fruits 60–80% water flavonoids (quercetin kaempferol) up 50 mg% ascorbic acid B vitamins (thiamine riboflavin pyridoxine) 1.5–3.5% organic acids (citric malic) 5–14% sugars (glucose fructose sucrose) <2.5% pectins essential oil strawberry-pineapple aroma 1.51% ash water-soluble iodine (1.7–10 mg%) unique cultured plants organic iodine. Leaves essential oil (sesquiterpenes myrcene) catechins flavonoids tannins (up 10%) traces ascorbic. Petals anthocyanins flavonoids essential oil. Seeds <17% fatty oil.

 

Uses and Benefits of Feijoa

Fruits high water-soluble iodine (1.7–10 mg%) thyroid diseases (hypothyroidism endemic goiter) atherosclerosis iodine deficiency prevention unique cultured. Anti-inflammatory antioxidant tonic improve metabolism circulation. Effective hypoacid gastritis chronic enteritis colitis pyelonephritis avitaminosis reduced immunity. Juice diuretic edema hypertension. Essential oil fruits leaves anti-inflammatory antimicrobial dermatology acne eczema fungal skin. Leaf infusion antiseptic astringent gum inflammation stomatitis. Petals folk sedative stress insomnia. Bark decoction (rare) astringent hemostatic diarrhea minor bleeding.

 

Precautions for Using Feijoa

Caution hyperthyroidism high iodine worsen. Excessive (>10.6 oz/300 g day) diarrhea stomach irritation organic acids. External oil leaf infusions skin test exclude allergies Myrtaceae sensitive. Large petal leaf doses sedative consider driving concentration work.

 

Contraindications for Using Feijoa

Individual intolerance Myrtaceae allergy (eucalyptus clove) hyperthyroidism acute high-acid gastritis gastric ulcer. Not children under 3 allergy iodine risk. Pregnant nursing consult doctor therapeutic. Leaf petal preparations hypotension sedative.

 

Medicinal Recipes with Feijoa

1. Fruit puree thyroid. Blend 7 oz (200 g) fresh fruits (skin) 1 tbsp honey. Take 1 tbsp 2 times day 15 min before meals >2 weeks.
   
2. Leaf infusion mouth. Steep 1 tbsp dry leaves 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling 30 min strain. Rinse mouth 2–3 times day stomatitis gum inflammation.
   
3. Fruit juice hypertension. Juice 5–7 ripe fruits take 1 oz (30 ml) diluted water (1:1) 2 times day 20 min before meals. Course >2 weeks.
   
4. Petal infusion calm. Steep 0.18 oz (5 g) dry petals 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling 20 min strain. Drink 3.4 oz (100 ml) bedtime insomnia stress 7–10 days.
   
5. Oil infusion skin. Steep 0.35 oz (10 g) dry leaves 3.4 oz (100 ml) olive oil 10 days dark strain. Apply affected skin (acne eczema) 1–2 times day.
   

 

Cosmetic Uses of Feijoa

Antioxidant (flavonoids vitamin C) anti-inflammatory (essential oil) moisturizing (pectins). Fruits leaves oily problem skin hair strengthening.

1. Acne face mask. Mash 2 tbsp ripe pulp mix 1 tsp honey 1 tbsp oat flour. Apply cleansed face 10–15 min rinse warm. 1–2 times week.
   
2. Leaf toner. Steep 1 tbsp dry leaves 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling 30 min strain. Wipe face cotton 1–2 times day pore tightening oil control.
   
3. Skin compress. Wrap 2 tbsp mashed pulp gauze apply inflamed (acne) 15 min once day.
   
4. Hair rinse. Boil 2 tbsp dry leaves 16.9 oz (500 ml) boiling 5 min steep 1 hour strain. Rinse hair after washing 2–3 times week strength shine.
   

 

Culinary Uses of Feijoa

Sour-sweet strawberry-pineapple fresh skin or without jam jelly marmalade compotes wine tinctures liqueurs. Fragrant sweet petals salads compotes flavor other jams.

1. Jam. Wash chop 2.2 lb (1 kg) ripe (skin) cover 2.2 lb (1 kg) sugar stand 4–6 hours. Cook low 20–30 min add 6.8 oz (200 ml) water thicken. 5 min end add 0.1–0.14 oz (3–4 g) citric acid. Jar sterilized store cool.
   
2. Petal compote. Steep 0.35 oz (10 g) fresh petals 16.9 oz (500 ml) water add 3.5 oz (100 g) sugar boil 5 min cool. Drink chilled dessert syrup.
   
3. Smoothie. Blend 7 oz (200 g) fruits 1 banana 3.4 oz (100 ml) yogurt 1.7 oz (50 ml) water. Serve chilled vitamin drink.
   
4. Petal salad. Mix 0.18 oz (5 g) fresh petals 3.5 oz (100 g) salad leaves 1.76 oz (50 g) walnuts 1 apple dress 1 tbsp olive oil lemon juice. Light snack.