Kitchen Dictionary: guava

A sweet tropical fruit. The typical guava is oval and about 2 inches in diameter, but can be up to 4 inches and round or pear-shaped. The flesh may be white, pink, yellow or red; and the better varieties are soft when ripe with a creamy texture with a rind that softens and is edible. For the best flavor, allow to ripen on the tree. If picked green-mature, ripen in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple to speed the ripening process.

plural: guavas

Ingredient

Season: available year-round

How to select: Look for ones that will give to palm pressure, but don't have spots.

How to store: Store in refrigerator when ripe for up to 4 days, and at room temperature until ripe.

Matches well with: bananas, cinnamon, cloves, cream, cream cheese, fish, ginger, honey, lemon, lime, mangoes, nutmeg, papayas, pears, pineapple, sugar, vanilla, white wine