Talk:Kiwifruit

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[edit] Question

Out of interest, why isn't it grown in the UK? EAi 23:50, 6 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Sorry this one's been unanswered so long - the plant grows well in Britain, but the summers aren't hot enough to ripen the fruit properly. You could probably get some ripe fruit after a hot summer like 2003, but most years they wouldn't ripen. It needs a similar climate to walnuts, apricots, quinces, etc., with a reliable hot summer. - MPF 6 July 2005 08:45 (UTC)
Um, no. Kiwifruit is picked in the winter, and matures on the vine long before summer arrives. Harvested kiwifruit is kept chilled not just to enhance keeping qualities, but to prevent premature ripening as well. Moriori July 6, 2005 09:13 (UTC)
It is the previous summer which isn't warm enough for maturation, between the flowering and the winter of harvest. They have been tried, and they don't ripen here. As an example of the difficulties they face in the British climate, today (early July, the middle of summer) it is 12°C (yes, today is colder than average, but the July average here is only 18°C). Where Actinidia is native in China, mean summer temperatures are 25° to 30°C or more. It is if anything surprising that the plant survives here at all. - MPF 6 July 2005 11:47 (UTC)

[edit] Stray word

The page had " chinensis" at the top, under the table code but before the article. I suspect it ran over from the species list. If it's not an error and should go back, then please add it back.  :-) --KQ

[edit] Name history

"However, New Zealand growers began calling it the kiwifruit in 1962 to give it more marketing appeal, and in 1974 the name kiwifruit was adopted as the trade name."

Wasn`t the USA fight against everythink what may be communist?
So was the fruit renamed from chinensis to a neutral name because of this hysterie?

"Originally called Chinese gooseberry, the fruit was renamed by exporters to avoid confusion with the green gooseberry and to identify it more closely with New Zealand."
http://www.showcook.co.za/kiwi_tart.htm
At least it seems that exporters, some spoke that it was the New Zealands economic ministery which renamed it. --RobertMichel

No - the fruit were renamed by New Zealand fruit importers and exporters Turners and Growers Ltd, not by the economic ministry Goldfinger820 23:39, 8 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Page name

I think this page should be moved to Actinidia - only one species in the genus is called 'kiwifruit', and even that only usually in the fruit production & sale industry. Few gardeners use 'kiwifruit' when growing Actinidia species as ornamentals. The name is also rather confusing, as it suggests a New Zealand origin for this East Asian genus. Anyone object to my doing so? MPF 14:36, 9 Mar 2004 (UTC)

I think this page should remain - non actinidia experts need to refer to a common name. I will put refs to A. chinensis and A. arguta (baby kiwifruit)as these are becoming alot more common as varietes for fruit production Goldfinger820 23:39, 8 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] images

What happened to Image:kiwifruit.jpg? It seems to be deleted/missing. Image:Kiwifruitlg.jpg is still there... --Joy [shallot] 19:43, 15 Oct 2004 (UTC)

I guess someone killed it for that other image (which, I'm sorry, I think is inferior). Oh well. Koyaanis Qatsi 06:24, 16 Oct 2004 (UTC)

[edit] "the kiwi bird"

Just a wee note on "the kiwi bird"... One would never talk about the blackbird bird or the sparrow bird, so maybe this could be changed to "the kiwi, a bird from New Zealand" (or whatever)

[edit] How do you eat kiwi fruit?

Just wondering, I've noticed a lot of people eat it in different ways. I eat it whole

I peel it and slice it, or, if I'm more hungry than patient, peel it and eat it in two bites. Koyaanis Qatsi 14:48, 14 Feb 2005 (UTC)
An old girlfriend taught me a simple but clever method which keeps your hands clean, and requires no utensils. Use your thumbs to bruise a continous layer under the entire skin, remove a small circle of skin at the distal end, and squeeze gently. --Pekinensis
Sometimes it's difficult to peel, but if you use a potato peeler and draw it up the fruit towards the thicker, tougher end, where the stalk was attached, it peels more easily. I added this hint to the main page. But, note, the skin has valuable properties! Fenton Robb 10:32, 23 October 2005 (UTC)
It depends of the maturity : if the fruit is still strong, I peel it like an apple and eat it by hands or sliced in a plate. If the fruit is limp, I cut it in two and I scoop out with a small spoon. Here are two schools in my family : those who cut it like on the picture in the article, and me, who cut it lenghtwise (easier way to scoop out) ! Gwalarn 12:09, 28 September 2005 (UTC)
The scooping method is far superior to all others unless you're making a fruit tray. --JD79 03:49, 11 September 2006 (UTC)

In the text we see : "Kiwifruit can be eaten whole, like an apple" : does it mean with the skin ? Gwalarn 12:18, 28 September 2005 (UTC)

I eat it like an apple. You get used to the hairy skin. -Nate 7:28, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, I usually eat it with the skin as well. I tend to not like it when people serve it with the skin already removed.
Rinse the Kiwi under running water for about ten seconds to get the hairs moist and then just eat it like an apple. The water keeps the hairs from getting in your teeth and stuff. Really, I don't notice much difference between eating it with a spoon or with the skin on, little tarter with the skin.

I've eaten it with the skin once, and it growse! And a lot of skin-hairs stick betweem your teeth... Mvanhuizen 18:43, 15 December 2005 (UTC)

I find that my lack of skill in peeling the fruit results in a lot of waste. The best way I've found is to slice it in half and then scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Best done when standing over a sink. JShook | Talk 12:52, 16 December 2005 (UTC)

I cut the ends off and cut it in half, then peel the remaining bits and slice it onto my muesli.-gadfium 19:03, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

I must be the only person who quarters it. That is, slices it in half then slices the halves again. I eat the quarters from the inside out and leave the skins. 170.63.96.108 20:49, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

Like an egg. Open the top and scoop out the insides with a spoon and throw away the skin/shell.

-G —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.117.158.83 (talk) 16:23, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] ZESPRI

Everything on the ZESPRI website shows the word in captitals, so I've change the article. --MJW 62.25.102.1 13:10, 17 Feb 2005 (UTC)

[edit] ZESPRI again

The main page at the ZESPRI website is titled "Kiwi Fruit from ZESPRI International, New Zealand Kiwifruit - Recipes, Organic Fruit & Nutrition", and uses the word "kiwifruit" four times in the page text. This does not seem to be an attempt to do away with the term "kiwifruit", as the names section currently implies.

Pekinensis 18:29, 17 Mar 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Size discrepency

Kiwifruit are most certainly not 4.5 to 5.5 cm around. I have one in my hand right now and I measured it at 15 cm around and 5.5 cm ACROSS.

[edit] Zespri is not always in caps

Despite MJW's assertion above, everything on the website does NOT show the word in all caps. See [1], top right corner. Millions of kiwifruit are exported from New Zealand each year with Zespri labels on then, with only the Z capped. Have a look at the bottom photo on our own Kiwifruit article for evidence of this. Moriori July 6, 2005 02:25 (UTC)

[edit] question!!

the teacher of my fraind sayed what the kiwi is maked with genetic enginner, it is true? please sorry me because my englich is bed because i am from Peru

  • No this is wrong

From what I've heard, kiwis are minimally genetically modified from their natural fruit. The so-called "organic kiwis" you may find overpriced in a supermarket (and remarkably small) are not very different from the usual supermarket variety - mainly the organic ones are smaller. Pesticides usually are not needed, except possibly for undergrowth. 170.63.96.108 20:52, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Actinidin

One section tells that actinidin is quickly destroyed by boiling the fruit.

Another section tells that kiwi juice is "ideal as a meat tenderiser when roasting".

Is this not a contradiction? How can kiwi tenderise while roasting if enzymes are quickly destroyed by temperature?

--Grzes 01:50, 9 January 2006 (UTC)

It is indeed a very effective meat tenderiser, but as a marinade before roasting, not during. Do you want to change the article? Cheers. Moriori 02:48, 9 January 2006 (UTC)
Thanks! I'll try it. Grzes 14:14, 9 January 2006 (UTC)
AFAIK, most meat tenderisers are enzymes in any case, the intention is always to tenderise the meat before cooking... Nil Einne 12:01, 25 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Name again

My mother has told me before that the kiwifruit name was choose from a competition. Can anyone confirm this? Details on the name seem a little lacking. Also, while I'm sure fears of association with China had something to do with it, I'm guessing it wasn't the only reason. Chinese gooseberry is not the best name for a fruit, regardless of what you think about the Chinese because is is unwieldy and akward. Unless someone can provide some evidence that the primary reason for changing the name was because of associations with China, we should rewrite the section. Nil Einne

[edit] Kiwi

Can anyone confirm that using the name kiwi instead of kiwifruit is common in Europe? I was under the impression is primarily an American phenomenon not European... Nil Einne 12:03, 25 April 2006 (UTC)

It was labeled Kiwi in the supermarkets I went to in Spain Masterhomer 19:30, 29 July 2006 (UTC)
I'm not so sure on the statement in the article that "kiwi" is used over "kiwifruit" in America. I've always called them "kiwifruits" and it is labled "kiwifruit" in the stores I shop at. Is there data to back up the claim that Americans use the term "kiwi" over "kiwifruit?" (I have seen "kiwi-flavored" which makes me laugh when I think of what the bird must taste like.)
As an American (non-US, but Guatemalan), I can confirm they're called plain "kiwi" here and as far as I remember, in the rest of Central America. SaulPerdomo 07:58, 1 March 2007 (UTC)
I can confirm only that in the UK we call them Kiwis and not Kiwifruit, since the bird is uncommon in the UK or non-existent I should say, and we rarely talk about New Zealanders.
In Australia –and probably elsewhere too– it appears that the term "kiwi" is (at least casually) referred to three kinds of beings, humans (New Zealanders), an animal (the Kiwi (bird)) and a plant (the Kiwi fruit). As to my knowledge this is the only word with this phenomenon. The word is from the Māori language and refers to the bird. Invenio 08:37, 15 October 2007 (UTC) tc

Not where I live in the UK, we don't. I've only ever heard it called a kiwifruit or a chinese gooseberry. Cliff 08:04, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

Invenio can't confirm squat. I live in the UK and have never heard them called anything but kiwifruit. If anything, ask for Kiwi here and you'll get a tin of shoe polish. 82.32.238.139 15:43, 22 October 2007 (UTC)


I am an Australian; I was born in 1953 and until I was adult, they were sold as Chinese gooseberries. They are commonly called kiwifruit now, but I have never, ever heard kiwi, and I not only consume them, I have lived on a farm that produces them. Also, I doubt very much that the name ever had anything to do with its presumed resemblance to the kiwi, as the article states. I am inclined to believe that it was a marketing decision to associate the fruit with New Zealand. New Zealanders are very commonly called kiwis in Australia. Good article, by the way. Alpheus 04:42, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

I live in London. Whereever you go, you'll hear people simply calling it "kiwi" Everyone I work with call it "kiwi", as do everyone else I know. However, when you go to buy it, say for example down the market, it'll be listed and advertised as "kiwifruit". The term "kiwi" is, however, very much in use --Maurice45 (talk) 17:24, 11 April 2008 (UTC)

I'm from Belgium, and everyone calls it "Kiwi" over here. People will probably even don't immediately know what you mean when you ask for Kiwifruit. When asking for a "Kiwi", you will get the green ones. When we want the golden ones, we usually refer to them as a yellow Kiwi, or sometimes with the brand name (Zespri Gold).

[edit] The origin, the names

Before reading this article, I had come across these three statements:

  • Kiwi fruit come from China.
  • The kiwi fruit is also known as the Chinese gooseberry.
  • Chinese gooseberries come from New Zealand.

Ever since, I've been wondering which statements are correct. Another possibility I've thought up is that it's similar to hurricane/cyclone/typhoon in that the name depends on where the particular specimen comes from.

The information in the article is contradictory: History states that it's native to China and was introduced to NZ, while the infobox gives NZ as the origin.

Can anyone shed any light, either on the correctness of the various statements of origin or on how the above three divergent statements came about? -- Smjg 15:38, 20 June 2006 (UTC)

Interesting. Check Granny Smith apple. The infobox says it's origin is Australia, despite us knowing that it's an apple and the ancestor of all apples malus sieversii come from China (among other Asian places). I guess they mean it was developed in Oz, which it was. But it's the same with kiwifruit. The plants came from China, but the very successful kiwifruit fruit which is marketed worldwide today was developed in NZ. Moriori 01:18, 5 July 2006 (UTC)
Hmm. Does this mean that the term "kiwifruit" correctly refers only to the cultivars, which were developed in NZ, and not to the wild A. deliciosa? If so, then the information makes sense, but could certainly do with clarification. And consequently, sources claiming that kiwifruit come from China are effectively wrong. The Granny Smith apple, OTOH, is obviously just one variety of apple, and it goes without saying that its birthplace doesn't have to be the same as that of its ancestor. -- Smjg 18:06, 5 July 2006 (UTC)
It's probably safe to say "The ancestor of the kiwi fruit came from China" or something similar. 218.162.119.70 05:45, 19 July 2006 (UTC)


I grew up in Te Puke and I was lead to believe the name came from the fact if you stick a few of tooth picks in a chinese gooseberry it looks like the bird called a Kiwi.IE Has two stick legs coming out of a round brown "hairy body" and a beak as big as it's legs.As for tenderizing meat it does work,I cover the meat with sliced kiwifruit and wrap with tinfoil.I'm sure it does denature,but not before it tenderizes the meat.

Actually I believe a competition was held to come up with the name. Using kiwifruit to tenderise meat indeed works, as does pineapple and other fruits with similar enzymes Nil Einne 10:20, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] why?

why does kiwi burn my mouth when i eat a few Fresh Kiwi? -fentendo

That would be the protein-dissolving enzymes in the kiwifruit. Pineapple has the same effect. --Pekaje 22:07, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Kiwi hair

So...I was just thinking today,why there is hair on a kiwi`s skin? I haven`t find the answer yet. But probably someone will know,and I hope he/she will tell me=) Ok...thanks and bye.

Lauri from Finland. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.239.167.216 (talk) 22:03, 6 February 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Kiwiberry

Found those things in the supermarket today, grape sized green kiwi fruit with very smooth, green skin that's to be eaten whole.

Does anyone know much about it? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 210.54.88.119 (talk) 06:05, 13 March 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Re: Kiwiberry

Those are baby kiwis -- the fruit picked at an especially young stage while it is still small. They are generally eaten whole and have a very soft flesh and taste very much like "adult" kiwi. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.122.49.35 (talk) 07:20, 19 March 2007 (UTC).

Actually kiwiberrys are a new variety, developed by HortResearch I believe Nil Einne 10:16, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Red kiwi fruit?

Found this article about red (well red/green) kiwis [2], [3] that somebody might like to research more and include in article. I might do it myself whem I have time. 89.240.13.68 10:00, 17 June 2007 (UTC)

Also a pic [4] 89.240.13.68 10:09, 17 June 2007 (UTC)

And more colours & variation: [5],[6],[7]'[8] [9][10] 89.240.7.166 20:28, 17 June 2007 (UTC)


So there's a bit of info on the different varities available - more than your average green / yellow kiwi. Just needs to be culled for useful info that can be put in the article. 89.240.7.166 20:28, 17 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The map

Why the map does not show Russia and India as producers?--Dojarca 16:18, 4 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] eating fruit

Do many eat it with skin, I for one have never heard of it before this article! Phgao 12:24, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Unreadable

The first part of Kiwifruit#History, "Actinidia deliciosa is native to so", is almost unreadable because the map covers the bottom half of the letters, and the gray border colors most of the rest, with a line going through the top of the letters. I presume the problem depends on how my computer displays text, so the problem may or may not occur on your computer. Art LaPella 04:52, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

Resolved. Art LaPella 03:15, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

but I don't know how it was corrected.

[edit] Melonette?!

Where are the sources for the "Melonette" name? It's almost laughable that it is included alongside "Chinese Gooseberry", a word that is in most dictionaries as a synonym for the Kiwi. A Google search for "Melonette" turns up a measly 819 pages, many of which are not even in English and have nothing to do with the Kiwi. Seems far-fetched to me.-DMCer 06:23, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

Laughable? Far fetched? Please read the ref. Moriori 06:37, 22 October 2007 (UTC)
The ref says "1959 Auckland-based fruit packers Turners and Growers briefly named the fruit "melonette," but changed it to the Maori word "kiwi" when they learned of import tariffs applied to melons." I have therefore deleted the reference to the name from the intro as Originally known as the "Chinese Gooseberry" or "Melonette" is very different from Originally known as the "Chinese Gooseberry" and very briefly called "Melonette" some decades later. I left it further down in the history section, but it should also be removed from the front page blurb. jnestorius(talk) 21:25, 22 October 2007 (UTC)
Admirable. I'm satisfied.-DMCer 22:26, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Infobox

I made an edit today changing the infobox to reflect the kiwifruit's taxonomical information; this is in line with similar articles rated highly, such as black pepper (a FA) and apple , orange (both B-Class), as well as finding it to be a convention for the majority of articles on fruit. It also feels more detailed and complete. Baristaofnz 07:29, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Revert

I have reverted to the last version due to some subtle vandalism which had changed China to India throughout the article. eg. "Originally known as the Indian Gooseberry" 0sd0 (talk) 00:52, 21 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] China production

I just changed text on Chinese kiwifruit production. China is now (2008) likely the world's largest kiwifruit producer by some projections. I cited the two Huang and Ferguson articles. Coriolis 20080403 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Coriolis (talk • contribs) 20:31, 2 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Name again

I've just nix'd a poor addition regards Frieda Caplan, but it looks as if there may a grain of truth to it. Looks to me as if the name kiwifruit wasn't used until 1962 - even if it was decided upon in June 1959 - but I'd like to see some good evidence. Have a peek at these links: