Kiwi - one of the most useful exotic fruits, which so came to taste many. It has a high nutritional value, and its unusual and original taste has found wide application in culinary masterpieces. However, the main advantage of kiwi are useful properties, which we describe in this article. You will also learn how this exotic fruit can be harmed and its scope.
Culture description
Kiwi is a member of the genus Actinidia. This plant is a treelike species vine. Delicious actinidia, or Chinese actinidiawhose homeland is China. In some regions, kiwi has the name "Chinese gooseberry", "green apple" or "monkey peach". 
The modern name of the plant was due to the New Zealand breeder A. Ellison. He considered that the fruit is very similar to the New Zealand bird of the same namewhich is a national symbol. This name was to the taste of the producers of this country, as it contributed to the increase in sales markets. 
Kiwi bird The leaves of this vine have an oval shape and can reach 17-25 cm in diameter. Adult leaves have a leathery structure: the upper part of the leaf is smooth and the bottom is covered with a white gun in combination with light streaks. The foliage of the kiwi has a dark green color, but the new leaves and processes are covered with red hairs.
Also used in food are fruits of the plant of the species Actinidia colomicta.
At the beginning of May flowers of white and cream color bloom on actinidia bushes, which can reach 5 cm in diameter. The flowering period lasts for 2-3 weeks. In some regions, the budding period may begin in June. Kiwis are dioecious plants, that is, only female or male flowers bloom on it. Therefore, a necessary condition for the formation of the fetus is the close proximity of different-sex plants. 
Kiwi fruit is similar in shape to an egg and can reach 5 cm in length and does not exceed 3–4 cm in diameter. Modern varieties of Chinese actinidia have an average weight that varies from 75 to 100 g, and in some varieties it can reach 150 g (while in a wild plant the fruit did not exceed 30 g). Their skin has a brownish color with a reddish tinge, and its surface is covered with tiny hairs. The flesh has a bright green hue with a bright core. Bright lines diverge from the center of the fruit, in the intervals between which the seeds are saturated purple. In the process of eating kiwi seeds are not noticeable. 
The ripe fruit, or rather the berries in terms of biology, has a sweetish taste with hints of sourness. It resembles a mixture of pineapple, strawberries and melons. In our supermarkets Actinidia delicacy is sold in a slightly unripe form, so the fruit tolerates transportation. But let's take a closer look at the habitat of this vine and how it is grown.
Did you know? The most widespread fruits of kiwi, which have green flesh. However, there is a variety of "Golden Kiwi" (Gold kiwi)whose core has a yellow color.
Where and how does Kiwi grow
The delicacy of the historic homeland of actinidia is China, which has become one of the largest producers of this culture. Here the plant received the name "Yang Tao", which translated from Chinese means "strawberry peach", since it resembles strawberries in its taste, and looks distantly similar to peach. The Europeans, who enjoyed this exotic, called the fruit "Chinese gooseberry".
Not so long ago, the difficulty in growing this plant was its hypersensitivity to temperature and climatic conditions. Even a minimal change could lead to a decrease in peduncles, the destruction of fruits or even the death of the plant itself. The most captious part of this plant is the vine, because of which many attempts to grow this plant in various regions of our world have disappeared and irreparable damage has been caused to the producers. Fortunately, the situation has changed thanks to the hard work of breeders who were able to bring frost-resistant varieties. 
In China, the berry has been cultivated for more than three hundred years. Not so long ago, it was possible to meet actinidia in the wild. Her vine grew freely in the trees. However, the fruit was not widely spread, since the areas for its cultivation were very limited. The most popular this plant received in New Zealand. Ideal conditions for growing kiwi are available in the Bay of Plenty, or the Bay of Plenty, which is located on the North Island. There are over 2,700 farms in this territory, which sell their products to more than 60 countries around the world.
Check out practical tips on growing actinidia in the garden.
Besides China and New Zealand, Kiwi grows in countries such as France, Iran, Italy, Chile, Greece, South Korea and Japan. However, in these countries, the cultivation of this plant is produced more for the domestic market than for export. For example, in South Korea, approximately 30,000 tons of kiwi are grown annually for domestic consumption. 
AT USA Attempts to grow "Chinese gooseberry" in many farms were not crowned with success, and most of them simply went bankrupt. The plant has taken root only in California and Hawaii. In Ukraine, a private breeder, Heinrich Straton, developed a frost-resistant variety of kiwi, which is successfully grown, while retaining all its taste and useful elements.
Did you know? American breeders have developed a delicacy actinidia variety that can withstand temperatures as low as -45 ° C.
The natural habitat of this plant is a forest, because the vine wraps around trees, its length can reach 7.5 m, and width - 4.5 m. This plant rushes to the solar gleams and thus braids all the plants that are in its growth zone . In this case, the "Chinese gooseberry" does not tolerate gusts of wind, as they can damage the young shoots.
In agriculture, the "green apple" is grown using support systems and garters that can replace trees. Most often, the suspension system is arranged in the form of a grid, which is mounted on poles. 
Variety Hayward This plant is a deciduous vine, but it can withstand temperatures down to -30 ° C (Hayward variety) or -18 ° C for young plants and shoots. In this regard, many varieties can be grown in temperate climates. For the growth of kiwi fruit requires a moderately acidic soil rich in organic matter. Yang Tao needs a lot of moisture throughout the growing season, while its stagnation is not allowed. In this regard, when growing this type of vines in domestic or agricultural conditions, it is necessary to ensure good soil drainage. Another feature of the process of growing kiwi is regular watering in the heat of the summer, as it is impossible to allow the soil to dry out.
Important! The most common reason why a kiwi dies is watering problems. Due to lack of moisture, leaves begin to wilt, and their edges turn black.
In the first half of the growing season, the plant needs a lot of nitrogen fertilizer. If you use such dressing during the entire period of fruiting, then the fruits grow large enough, but to pay for the large size will have the worst safety. The soil under the plant can be mulched with straw or manure, it will retain moisture in the soil. When using such a layer, it is necessary to ensure that young shoots of the vine do not come into contact with the mulch, as this may lead to the decay of the shoot. 
Promote abundant fertility Kiwi will winter pruningwhich is mandatory. Fortunately, this plant is well protected from pests and diseases faced by producers in the homeland of this culture. However, in modern regions where kiwi is cultivated, it has found unusual pests. For example, the trunk of the vine has the aroma of catnip. As a result the cat family loves to rub against the stalk. Such love tailed can lead to the death of the plant. Another danger for this plant are garden snails.
For the sale and export of the fruit "green apple" harvested still unripe, it allows you to transport them to any country, and also extends the shelf life. On average, kiwi can be stored for up to 5 months, subject to a constant temperature within 0 ... +6 degrees. However, the fetus has its own downside: Yang Tao, plucked unripe, has a more sour taste than mature. In this regard, the cultivation of this fruit for domestic consumption allows you to enjoy more sweet fruits.
Did you know? In November 2017, a chain of supermarkets in the city of Manchester imposed a ban on the sale of kiwi. This was explained by the innocent flash mob that occurred at the Harry Styles concert during the performance of the song "Kiwi" and almost resulted in injuries to the singer.
The beneficial properties of kiwi
In modern life, where a person is subjected to a large amount of stress, his body needs additional vitamins and beneficial elements. A better source of nutrients than kiwi is hard to find. Not only nutritionists, but also doctors speak about its beneficial properties. However, before talking about the benefits, consider the composition of kiwi. 
The fruit of the actinidia delicacy mainly consists of water: 100 g of product contains 83 g of water. The nutritional value of this product is 61 kcal per 100 g. The carbohydrate content is 10.2 g, and the protein content is 1 g.
This exotic fruit is rich in micro and macro elements, as well as vitamins. It contains a large amount of calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc. In addition, it includes a large number of amino acids and antioxidants, fiber, organic and fruit acids, pectin. Yang Tao is a rich source of vitamin A, C, E, K1, D, B group and beta-carotene.
It is interesting to read about the beneficial properties and application of other exotic fruits: pineapple, mango, dates, figs, papaya, pomegranate, arbutus, lychee, feijoa, medlar, longana, kivano, rambutan, guava, bail, annona.
A large amount of antioxidants found in the peel of the fruit. Therefore, doctors recommend to use kiwi with skin, however, you must carefully remove hairs beforehand. "Green Apple" helps to remove excess sodium, so it should be used lovers salty. The enzyme actidine, which is part of yang tao, promotes protein degradation, which allows the use of this product in marinating meat.
The daily use of kiwi allows strengthen the immune system due to the content of the daily intake of vitamin C in one medium-sized fruit. Magnesium and potassium have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. 
So, magnesium in combination with vitamin C, strengthen the heart muscle, and potassium - effective reduction of blood pressure. In addition, it helps strengthen the capillaries and blood vessels, and also increases the elasticity of their walls. That is why the use of this fruit is recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
Read also about the beneficial properties and use of fruits: apples, pears, plums, peach, nectarine, apricot, cherry plum, quince, persimmon.
Vitamin B6, which is part of the "Chinese gooseberry", a positive effect on vision. This product also contributes to the digestive process, especially after a dense meal. Nutritionists recommend eating kiwi in a small amount to people who monitor their bodies and want to get rid of extra pounds, as it activates the process of cleaning the body and speeds up the metabolism.
Did you know? It is scientifically proven that 1 kiwi fruit as a dessert can help get rid of heartburn and heaviness in the stomach.
Regular consumption of an exotic fruit helps not only replenish the nutrient and vitamin reserves in the body, but also cope with prolonged depression, minimize the effects of stress and restore the nervous system. Kiwi is an essential product in the diet of athletes, as it helps in the short term to recuperate after heavy physical exertion. 
Yang Tao has a positive effect on both the woman’s body and the man’s body. The presence of this product in the diet of the stronger sex helps increase potency and increase libido. It helps women cope with the negative effects of menopause and helps to maintain stable health and good mood.
With of pregnancy Kiwi can and should be consumed, but do not get involved much. It feeds every cell in the body of the future mother and child with vitamins and nutrients. In addition, Chinese actinidia is a good source of folic acid, which is so necessary in early pregnancy.
Learn what is useful, where and how citrus fruits are used: lemon, orange, tangerine, pomelo, kumquat, limequat, bergamot, sweetener.
The harmful properties of kiwi
Exotic fruit is a real fount of nutrients, however, along with many useful properties, it can have a negative effect on the human body. Speaking of any overseas fruit, we can not say about allergic reactionThe symptoms of which are asthmatic dyspnea, edema of the mucous membrane and tongue, and also pharyngeal dermatosis.
Do not eat kiwi and people with a sick stomach, especially if there is increased acidity. Due to the high content of water in the fruit, its excessive consumption can lead to additional stress on the diuretic system. In this regard, it is better to exclude the "green apple" from the diet of people with diseased kidneys. Abuse of Kiwi fruit can lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and in rare cases it can cause shortness of breath and fainting. Also, do not eat this product for food poisoning, as it has a laxative effect. 
Kiwi is contraindicated people taking antifungal drugs, as it has a mild antifungal effect. For this reason, it is not recommended to combine Yang Tao with heparin and aspirin, as well as with non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs, since they can cause bleeding. It is necessary to coordinate the possibility of consuming kiwi in combination with various dietary supplements, drugs or herbal remedies at the attending physician or nutritionist.
It is not recommended to use an exotic fruit and children under 5 years old, since the increased acidity of the fruit can cause oral dermatosis.
Important! Combining kiwi with milk is not recommended, as the enzymes contained in it make the milk taste nasty and bitter.
Kiwi application
Yang Tao has been widely used in cooking and cosmetology due to the high content of nutrients.
When used for food
Most often, Kiwi is used for cooking. dessertsHowever, the scope of this product is not limited to this. It goes well with various varieties of fish, meat, and seafood. If you use it in the process of cooking meat dishes, then you will delight your loved ones with an unusual taste. In addition, such a dish will positively affect your body, because the load on the stomach in the process of digesting meat decreases. 
In Asian countries is in great demand kiwi jam and jam. Italians use this fruit to make pizza. It is also used for making sauces. Winemakers use Chinese actinidia to produce liqueurs, liqueurs and even wine. In the production of wine from green fruit turns red wine. For a year, this wine can grow stronger up to 15 degrees. 
In modern restaurants and cafes you can often meet desserts with the addition of kiwi, but recently their menu has diversified and salads based on it. If you want something original, you can please your family with an unusual salad.
To do this you will need:
- 4 things. kiwi,
- 1/2 cucumber
- 2 pcs. avocado,
- 2 pcs. celery stalk,
- scallions
- parsley.
Kiwi, cucumber and avocado cut into cubes. In order to make the salad tender, you can peel the skin of a cucumber. Greens and celery finely shred. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and add spices to taste (salt, sugar and pepper). Sprinkle with a small amount of vinegar and pour olive oil. A simple salad contains a large amount of nutritional elements. Ideal for people who care about their health.
Did you know? To enhance immunity in the winter, you can use a tasty supplement, which includes 100 g of kiwi fruit, 100 g of walnut and 50 g of honey and lemon peel. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and for 1 month is used in 3 tbsp. l 5 times a day.
When used in cosmetology
This exotic fruit is also used in cosmetology. For example, kiwi peelwhich most of us throw away can be used to make face masks. Однако если у вас нет времени или возможности для нанесения маски, то можно просто кожурой протереть лицо, зону декольте и шею. Научно было доказано, что сок киви способствует подтяжке, тонизированию и омолаживанию кожи лица.For example, a mask based on "Chinese gooseberry" allows you to smooth out wrinkles, as well as to give the skin a fresh face. 
For a pleasant cosmetic procedures do not necessarily run to a beauty salon. A simple mask can be easily made at home. For this you need kiwi pulp and honey. These ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and applied to the face. After 10-20 minutes it is necessary to wash with warm water, carefully washing the mixture.
Important! Use masks based on kiwi and honey should be used with caution, especially if you are allergic to these products.
For normal skin, it is better to use masks based on yang tao and low-fat yogurt or sour cream, for fading skin, kiwi with honey, and for skin that needs extra moisturizing, it is better to use in combination with cottage cheese. After using this mask, you must apply a moisturizer.
If you cut the fruit of kiwi, it retains its useful properties for 5-7 days, in particular, it concerns vitamin C. This feature of this fruit allowed the use of kiwi in a variety of cosmetic means, because vitamin C decays very quickly.
Video: mask for face rejuvenation with kiwi
How to choose the kiwi
After studying the beneficial properties of actinidia delicacy, you may have a desire to go to the store and buy it. But before you run to the nearest supermarket, you need to learn how to choose the "green apple". Since the fruits of this exotic vine are collected in a green form, very often on the shelves in the store you can find either green or already overripe berries. In this regard, it is best to choose a kiwi by the piece, then you can safely review each separately. 
When choosing it is necessary to evaluate its appearance. It is better to give preference to beautiful fruits, the peel of which is not wrinkled, and the flesh is not very hard or soft. Do not choose rotted fruit, as well as spots or dents. Stop your choice on that kiwi, which, when pressed, gives in a little, but it does not feel the loose structure of the fruit.
We advise you to read about the composition, properties and use of strawberries, cherries, cherries, grapes, raspberries (black), gooseberries, black, red and white currants, yoshta, blueberries, cranberries, blueberries, cranberries, sea buckthorn, cloudberries, princesses, mulberries.
If you did not succeed in choosing a ripe "green apple", then leave it in a warm place for a few days. Over time, the kiwi will ripen, and you can enjoy the sweet and sour taste of the fruit. However, if the desire to taste the sweet exotic is irresistible, then you can put a banana or an apple in a bag with yang tao. These fruits emit gas, which contributes to the rapid maturation of kiwi.
Kiwi Dishes Video Recipes
Kiwi Cake
Salad with kiwi "Malachite bracelet"
Kiwi Sandwiches
Reviews of Kiwi
The benefits of "Chinese gooseberry" for women, men of different age categories are the same. But you should not forget that there is a negative side, for example, individual intolerance. Growing kiwi at home has become available. Due to the long work of the breeders, varieties that can tolerate frosts down to -45 degrees were bred. This made it possible for many compatriots to grow an exotic plant in their area. Thus, when buying kiwi fruit, it is better to give preference to fruits grown in our homeland, because then their cultivation will not be difficult.
