Strawberry Guava: Growing ,Care and Health Benefits

Buy it now                       Strawberry Guava

Strawberry guava is a large shrub or small tree that is native to South America and loves a warm climate. There are some good reasons to choose strawberry guava plants over the common guava, including more attractive fruit and foliage, and a better tasting tropical fruit.
Strawberry guava is also known as cattle guava, purple guava, or Chinese guava, although it is native to the Americas. Strawberry guava generally grows to heights between six and 14 feet (2 to 4 meters), although they can grow taller. As the name suggests, this tree usually produces a red fruit, but yellow fruits are also possible. The fruit on the strawberry guava is similar to that of the common guava, a fragrant, juicy pulp with seeds. However, the flavor of this type of guava is said to have a strawberry essence and is considered to be less musky. It can be eaten fresh or used to make puree, juice, jam, or jelly.

Strawberry Guava tree in Landscaping:

Overall the Strawberry Guava is a medium sized tree or large bush with an average growth rate.
The Strawberry Guava has multiple small-to-medium sized almond shaped leaves.
The dense evergreen foliage makes this tree a great screen. However, it is also an attractive tree on its own right.
The flowers are small white and relatively inconspicuous.

Seasons/Availability

Strawberry Guavas are available in the summer.

Soil:

The Strawberry Guava is tolerant of many soil types. However, like many fruit trees, it prefers at least some organic material. Well draining soil is a must.

Water:

Water deeply about once a week for established trees. Overall, I have noticed that an established Strawberry Guava tree is rather drought tolerant; the two trees I have here were surviving well without any irrigation when I arrived to the property.

Temp:

The Strawberry Guava is tolerant to a range of temperatures. It has been said that it will survive temps down to 22F.

On the other side of the temperature spectrum, leaves will get scorched in desert heat.

For more information about the lowest temperatures that you can expect in your area, check out my article.

Sun:

Full to partial sun. Fruits better in full sun.

Fertilization:

Once a year (spring) with balanced fertilizer.

However, regular deep irrigation during fruiting will improve the crop size and fruit flavor. That being said, the main fruiting season is also the rainy season here in California so in my experience  can get away with ignoring an established tree if  want and it will probably be fine. 

Vitamin Contains in strawberry 

Strawberry guavas provide an excellent source of vitamins A and C and fiber, as well as potassium and magnesium. The small fruits are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that may help lower blood cholesterol and promotes digestion. Strawberry guava seeds contain Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are beneficial for brain development and function.

Health benefits

1. Promotes Weight Loss:

Strawberry Guava helps shed extra calories, while not comprising on protein, vitamin and fibre intake. It is especially rich in fibre, which helps reduce cholesterol and aids in digestion. According to experts, high fibre diets can aid weight loss. Strawberry Guava has lesser sugar compared to other fruits like grapes, oranges, and apples.

2. Stimulates Digestion:

Strawberry guava is rich in dietary fibre, and vitamin C. Fiber helps stimulate digestion and helps push food through the small intestine. This makes it an excellent digestive. Not only is it delicious, it will help in the digestion process as well.

4. Anti-Carcinogenic:

This is perhaps the most important health benefit . Strawberry guavas have anti-carcinogenic properties. They are crammed with cancer-fighting free radicals and polyphenols that restrict tumour growth and purge the body of harmful free radicals. They also contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene has been shown to be effective in preventing certain types of cancer.

5. Improves Eyesight:

Strawberry Guavas contain good amounts of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiencies can lead to night blindness and weak vision. Consuming vitamin A regularly helps improve eyesight and boosts your health. Vitamin A can help prevent cataract formation and improves the general health of your eyes as well.

6. Treats Dysentery:

Strawberry guava fruit is rich in vitamin C and fiber, which makes it excellent for maintaining your stomach health. When you chew the fruit, its astringent properties inhibit microbial growth and help flush excess mucus from your intestine, thereby helping cure dysentery.

7. Thyroid Health:

Strawberry guavas are a rich source of copper. Copper is quite important and helps regulate your metabolism by promoting thyroid metabolism, which helps regulate hormone production and absorption.

8. Constipation:

This fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which makes it an effective remedy for heart problems, high blood cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Fiber is an excellent digestive and a bulking agent. Fiber bulks up the hardened stool and helps force it through the intestines.

9. Promotes Brain Health:

Strawberry guavas also contain decent amounts of B-vitamins like B­6 and B3, which are quite crucial for brain development. In fact, Vitamin B­3 increases blood flow to the brain and also stimulates cognitive functions. Thus, eating strawberry guavas can improve your brain health.

10. Treats Scurvy:

Strawberry Guava is more nutritious than other fruits like orange and other citrus fruits. The surprising fact is that it contains about 5 times the amount of vitamin C in such fruits. This property makes it an important food to treat vitamin deficiencies like scurvy and boost immunity. 

11. Improves Complexion

Guava helps regain the skin’s radiance and freshness. Reap the benefits by preparing a DIY scrub at home: All have to do is mash some guava flesh with an egg yolk and apply it on  face. Rinse off after 20 minutes with warm water. When used once or twice a week, this scrub will remove dead cells from your skin and lighten your complexion. Guavas are also a great source of Vitamin K, which helps get rid of skin discoloration, dark circles, redness and acne irritation.

Strawberry Guava fruit food uses:

Many people will just eat them right off the tree.

The fruit is also made into jams.
It is also used to flavor beverages, ice creams, and desserts.

Applications
Strawberry guavas are most often eaten fresh straight from the tree. Fruit picked while still slightly green will continue to ripen off the tree. Their high pectin content makes them ideal for making jams or jellies. A popular use for the Strawberry guava is making a paste that can be spread on toast, or put into pastries. Strawberry guavas pair well with ginger, lemon, other tropical fruits as well as creamy cheeses. Strawberry guavas have a short shelf life and should be consumed within a few days.