Feijoa, a fruit native to southern Brazil, is little known in its country of origin but is a hit abroad, especially in New Zealand, one of the world’s largest producers. With green skin and a pineapple-scented interior, the plant is also known as pineapple guava and was already consumed by the Xokleng, Kaingang and Guarani Indigenous peoples before being scientifically cataloged in 1856, in honor of naturalist Friedrich Sellow and Brazilian José da Silva Feijó.Its international spread began with French botanist Édouard André, who took cuttings to Europe, and gained momentum in the United States with nurseryman Francesco Franceschi, who promoted the fruit among his customers. From there, feijoa reached Colombia and New Zealand in the early 20th century, where it adapted well to the climate and is now commercially cultivated.
"The lack of awareness of the fruit in Brazil is due to a lack of research, marketing and a structured production chain," says researcher Rubens Nodari of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC).
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