Guava is a lush, juicy tropical fruit native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America. It is probably best known as an ingredient in tropical juices or smoothies, but it is also delicious eaten fresh. There are many different varieties of guava, with skin colour ranging from yellow to pale green, and its flesh can be white, vibrant pink, or deep red. Discover some fun facts about this delicious fruit with our A-Z of guavas, and read on for a complete guide to choosing, storing and eating guavas.

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What is Guava and How Do You Eat it?
Guava jam: this deliciously different tropical jelly from Mexico in My Kitchen needs just three ingredients, and is so quick and easy to make. Try some spread on your morning toast, or as a topping for Greek yoghurt.
Strawberry guava smoothie: this refreshingly fruity smoothie from NDTV Food is a great way to cool down on a hot day. You can add any fruit you like, but strawberries are a great match for the sweet, strawberry-pear flavour of guava.
Spicy guava cookies: these unique, tropical flavoured cookies from NDTV Food are an irresistible mix of sweet and spicy, with guava essence and a dusting of fiery red chilli powder. The perfect treat for those who like their food to bite back.
Guava cheese: this quick and easy recipe from NDTV Food shows you how to make a popular condiment known as guava cheese, or guava paste. This dense, sliceable purée can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, and is often served as an accompaniment to cheese.
How to store guava
If your guavas are not quite ripe, leave them on the counter until they’re ready. You can speed up the ripening process by placing them in a paper bag with a ripe apple or banana, as both of these fruits give off ethylene gas, which encourages fruits around them to ripen.
Ripe guavas should be stored in a refrigerator. Again, place them inside a paper bag, this time to protect them from ethylene-producing fruits and avoid over-ripening. Guavas don’t stay fresh for long, so make sure you eat them within the next couple of days.
Often lumped together simply as 'tropical fruits', there’s plenty of variety in these little gems. Ever wanted to know everything there is to know about the papaya? Then this A to Z of papaya is for you! Did you know there are over 1,000 different varieties of mango? No? Then you haven’t read this article packed with fascinating mango facts. Finally, becoming popular as an alternative to meat in curries and other rice dishes, jackfruit is native to West Africa, but also popular in East Asian and Caribbean cuisine. Find out more about what is the national fruit of Jamaica, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.