Have you ever wondered when kiwis are at their best? This fruit is known for being rich in nutrients. It has a bright green inside with black seeds and a brown, fuzzy outside. It's added to many meals, from salads to smoothies. Many wonder when exactly it shines the most.
Kiwi Growing Season in New Zealand
New Zealand's kiwi season is like a synchronized performance, aiming for a great harvest. During the chilly months of June to August, growers prune their vines. This action is crucial, preparing the vines for the upcoming growth.
Spring, from September through November, sees the vines coming back to life. This is when kiwi flowers start to bloom. They wait for bees, their pollinators. When the flowers are pollinated, they turn into kiwi berries. These fruits grow big over the summer months, from December to February.
In autumn, from March to May, the kiwis become perfectly ripe. This marks the start of the harvest season. Growers handpick the kiwis, making sure each fruit is top-quality. Then they are checked, packed, and sent around the world.
In the coming years, the kiwifruit industry is set to grow. About 24,000 workers are needed during peak season to help harvest and pack. Jobs are available year-round, for up to 10 months. These roles include working in the fields and management positions.
New Zealand has 2,800 kiwi growers spread across eight areas. They work together to provide fresh kiwis all year. As more people want kiwifruit, New Zealand's growing season becomes even more important. It helps meet the world's growing desire for this delicious and versatile fruit.
Kiwi Availability and Seasonality
Kiwis come from the Yangtze River Valley in northern China. About 90% of kiwis in the US grow in California. The main type is the green-flesh Hayward.
Hayward kiwis ripen between November and December. They are either sold fresh or stored for months. The US green kiwi season starts in November and goes until mid-May.
Golden kiwis grow from December to March. Baby kiwis, known as kiwi berries, are available from September to early October. This short period reflects their brief shelf life.
New Zealand supplies kiwis from May to December. This helps keep kiwis fresh when the US season is over. Italy produces kiwis from October to March, while Chile exports them from April to November.
| Region | Kiwi Availability |
|---|---|
| California, USA | October through May |
| New Zealand | May through December |
| Italy | October through March |
| Chile | April through November |
| Greece | October through March |
Kiwis are available worldwide all year. They include the green Hayward, golden kiwis, and kiwi berries. Every season offers a different kiwi variety for all tastes.
When Are Kiwis in Season
If you love kiwifruit, the best time to enjoy it is from November to December in the north. This is when kiwis are the freshest and tastiest.
Kiwis were once rare, known only through a New Zealand campaign. By the 1980s, California started growing them too. Now, the U.S. grows 90% of its kiwis, especially in California.
Globally, about 170,000 acres are used for kiwis, creating 1.7 million tons every year. China leads in the growing, then Italy and New Zealand. In the U.S., California grows most of its kiwis on about 8,000 acres.
Kiwis take about four years to fully grow. They are pruned heavily each December to promote better fruit, prevent disease, and grow new vines.
The best time to buy kiwis is in November or December. They are at their sweetest then. The skin has more fiber than the fruit itself, making it very nutritious.
Looking for the peak kiwi season? It's in late fall and early winter. Kiwis are not only tasty but also really healthy for you.
Selecting and Storing Kiwifruit
Enjoying the sweet-tangy taste of kiwifruit starts with choosing and storing them right. You should pick kiwifruit that are big, juicy, and have a fine, brownish skin. Inside, they should be a lively green with small, black seeds at the center.
When you want to see if kiwifruit is ready to eat, give it a light squeeze. If it's hard, it's not ripe yet. If it's a bit soft, that's just right. Don't get kiwifruit that looks wrinkled, has soft parts, or seems damaged.
To keep them fresh, store kiwifruit at 32–35 degrees Fahrenheit. Need to make them ripe? Put them in a paper bag that's not sealed, and keep it at room temperature. Don't put them where it's too hot or in direct sun.
After they're soft enough, put kiwifruit in the fridge until you eat them. Remember, keep them away from fruits that make ethylene gas. Too much gas makes kiwifruit spoil faster.
| Storage Conditions | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 2-3 days |
| Refrigerator | 5-10 days |
| Frozen | Up to 12 months |
Following these steps will help you pick and keep kiwifruit well. This way, you can savor their taste and get all their good nutrients.
Nutritional Benefits of Kiwifruit
Kiwifruit is a health powerhouse, full of essential vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. It not only tastes great but also brings many health benefits.
One kiwi, roughly 69 grams, has 64 milligrams of vitamin C. This amount is 71-85% of what an adult needs each day. Vitamin C helps your immune system and might protect your skin from the sun.
Kiwis are also rich in vitamin E. Eating one can give you about 7% of your daily need. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, it protects your cells and keeps your skin healthy.
Each kiwi has 215 milligrams of potassium, almost 5% of what adults need daily. Potassium keeps your blood pressure in check and helps your heart work well.
One kiwi also gives you 2 grams of fiber. This fiber is good for digestion and can lower your risk of heart disease. Kiwis have a lot of folate, which is important for babies' growth and everyone's health.
Kiwifruit is rich in an enzyme called actinidin. This enzyme helps break down proteins in your gut. It might help you absorb more nutrients from your food.
To sum up, kiwifruit is very nutritious, full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It's a top pick for a healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion
Kiwis are known as the perfect fruit for fall and early winter, growing from October to May. The US grows most of its kiwis in California, peaking in December and January. Once rare, kiwis now top the list for many when looking for exotic flavors.
Knowing the right time to buy kiwis and how to keep them fresh helps us get the best taste and health benefits. Since most US kiwis are from California, the Hayward kind is the go-to for its quality. There's plenty of helpful info to pick the best kiwis for you.
From the golden kiwis brought in from China and New Zealand to the small Baby Kiwi started by Mark Hurst, there's something for every kiwi fan. Keeping up with when kiwis are at their best lets shoppers enjoy this healthy, tasty fruit all year.
