ONCE UPON A TIME… THERE WAS THE KIWI


The kiwi, also known as the “Chinese gooseberry“, is the fruit of the Actinidia, a sturdy, prolific vine that originated in China.

Discovered in the Yang Tsé Kiang valley, this fruit was considered to be life-giving and was originally called “Yang Tao” (Yang peach) or “Mihou Tao” (Monkey peach).

It was not until 1960 that the New-Zealanders called it “kiwi” from the Maori word for their country’s iconic bird.

HOW TO CHOOSE KIWI


The key is to find a balance between suppleness and firmness! Supple under finger pressure for a sweet, melt-in-the-mouth fruit, or firmer for a sharper-tasting fruit.

Buy them while they’re still firm and leave them in a fruit bowl with some apples to ripen at room temperature.

NUTRITION & HEALTH


Real cocktails of vitamins, their reputation goes before them!

They’re an excellent way of keeping fit and getting through the winter without mishaps.

A kiwi = 47 Kcal

Nutritional values of kiwis

Proteins : 1.1g

Lipids : 0.6g

Carbohydrates : 10g

Their vitamin C content is a remarkable 80 mg/100g, higher than citrus fruit! One kiwi on its own provides the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Kiwis also provide a significant quantity of vitamin E (3 mg/100g), which is mainly found in its tiny seeds. 

Its vitamins A and E have a powerful antioxidant activity, which helps prevent cardio-vascular diseases and certain cancers.

Kiwis also provide a wide range of group B vitamins, especially vitamin B9 (folic acid), which is anti-anaemic.

Finally, kiwis are rich in minerals (especially potassium: 300 mg/100g) and fibre (2.5g/100g) which gently stimulate intestinal transit.