Kiwi

The kiwi is a winter fruit that is exceptionally rich in vitamin C.

Kiwi season

The kiwi is one of the fruits eaten in winter when the body tends to suffer from weakness. Every year between November and May France produces around 70,000 tonnes of kiwis, making it the second producing country in Europe after Italy according to the National Federation of Fruit Producers.

Nutritional value of kiwi

With 80 milligrammes of vitamin C and only 47 kilocalories per 100 grammes the kiwi is the champion fruit for health and vitality. In fact kiwi contains more vitamin C than citrus fruit, contrary to popular belief. According to the French Agency for Fruit and Vegetable Research and Information (Agence pour la recherche et l'information en fruits et legumes, or APRIFEL) eating one kiwi provides the complete recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C. APRIFEL recommends that people suffering from vitamin C deficiency, especially men, adolescents, smokers and the elderly, eat this fruit. Its vitamin E content (3 milligrammes per 100 grammes, or 30% of the RDA) also gives it antioxidant properties which contribute to combating cellular ageing and neutralising free radicals.

Kiwi varieties

There are several varieties of kiwi: notably the Zespri Gold variety with its yellow flesh, and the Hayward variety, the most well-known and most eaten variety in France. If people say that they do not like kiwis, the main reason is that they do not know how to choose them. To buy good quality kiwis, prefer them firmer rather than soft, and avoid choosing those that seem soft in hand.

Kiwi storage

Kiwis can be kept for several days after purchase, especially the smaller ones, if they are kept in the refrigerator. To slow down the ripening process, it is best to keep kiwis away from apples and bananas. On the other hand, to make them ripen more quickly if they were still a little green when purchased, place them near apples and bananas in the same plastic bag.

Cooking kiwi

It's easy to enjoy kiwi. Kiwi can be eaten at any time of day: for breakfast, as a dessert, or as a snack. The most daring can also serve it in salads with endives and Gruyère cheese or even with smoked salmon. However kiwis are eaten they can be enjoyed without worrying about weight thanks to their low calorie content.