According to researchers, the kiwi fruit was the first cultivar in China about 300 years ago. Kiwi grows in tropical places, they contain vitamin C, which usually associates their qualities with oranges, and so many people ask, is kiwi a citrus fruit?
Well, even though kiwi have similar nutritional qualities as citrus fruits, kiwi is not a citrus fruit. Although, they are rich in vitamin C and grow in hot regions, just like citrus fruit.
In this article, we answered most of your burning questions about kiwis and their relationship with citrus fruits.
Let's get started!
What is Citrus Fruit?
Citrus is an edible fruit-bearing tree or shrub belonging to the Rutaceae family. They bear beautiful fruits covered with thick skins.
They are nutritious, delicious, and refreshing. Some citrus fruits have sour tastes, while others are famous for their delightful tastes.
Is Kiwi a Citrus Fruit?
Kiwi fruit (Actinidia Deliciosa) belongs to the family of Actinidiaceae. It has different species and types, with each having a unique taste.
Kiwis are highly nutritious, low-calorie fruit. While kiwi is an exotic fruit, it is not a citrus fruit, despite being nutrient-dense and rich in vitamin C.
Kiwi does not have as much acid as citrus fruits, and it does not belong to the same genus with citrus. Citrus fruits are members of the Rutaceae family, the Citrus genus specifically.
Kiwis are grown on a woody vine, comes from the Actinidiaceae family, and in the Actinidia genus.
It's also worth mentioning that kiwi has more vitamin C content than citrus fruits.
What Kind of Fruit is Kiwi?
Researchers describes the kiwi as a true berry with its furry brownish-green skin. In botany, all kiwi species are berries.
Berries are juicy, small and pulpy edible fruits; they have sweet-sour and tart tastes, with tiny seeds embedded in them and fruits such as currants, grapes, and gooseberry.
The golden kiwifruit is sweeter and more aromatic in flavor. There are over 30 species of kiwis.
The kiwi from china is the Actinidia chinensis species, and it is not the hairy kind. With the smooth outward appearance like an orange, it's widespread to get questions like ' is kiwi a citrus fruit'?
The kiwi from New Zealand is the Actinidia Deliciosa species. The hairy and more prominent of the two kiwis. The major kiwi includes; the Hardy Kiwi, the Artic kiwi, the Golden kiwi, and the Anananzaya kiwi.
Does Kiwi Have Citric Acid?
Another reason kiwi is not a citrus fruit is that citrus fruits have a high citric acid content. Citric acid is an organic acid found in high amounts of fruits such as limes, lemons, oranges, pineapples and grapefruits.
It gives citrus fruit their sharp flavors; while kiwi fruit contains citric acid, it isn't as high as those found in citrus fruits.
Is Kiwi Fruit Acidic?
Kiwifruit is richer in protein, carbs, fibre, and fructose. Research has shown that lemons have more acidic contents than kiwi; a study showed that orange's, limes, and pineapples are highly acidic.
Kiwi is acidic but turns alkaline after digestion, and kiwifruit contains actinidain, an enzyme known to break down proteins. This is why many people use it as a meat tenderiser.
Does Kiwi Have Vitamin C?
Kiwi is also rich in Vitamin C; the United States Department of Agriculture revealed kiwi fruit contains 42 calories and about 64mg of vitamin C. A 100 grams of kiwifruit contains about 154% of Vitamin C.
The Cantaloupe fruit tops the list of fruits with the highest vitamin C content, Citrus fruits such as Oranges and grape comes next while kiwi follows citrus closely.
What Fruits are Citrus Fruits?
The original species of Citrus fruits include Pomelo, Mandarin Orange and Citron. However, citrus fruits include oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruit and Tangerine.
Many of these are hybrid citrus fruits that became genetically modified. For instance, the grapefruit is a result of a cross between sweet orange and pomelo.
Is Kiwi Good for Me?
Kiwi is great for you. Add kiwi to your diet, and you will be glad you did. Why? Kiwi is rich in vitamin C and contains enzymes that facilitate digestion; you can consume kiwifruit to boost your body's antioxidants, which helps boost your immunity.
Kiwi's high potassium level helps balance the electrolytes in our body, helping you manage your blood pressure.
Indeed kiwi is a healthy fruit choice, perfect for dessert or a side dish.
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