Last Updated on September 27, 2021 by
You can feel like one but you don’t know how to peel a guava. No problem.
There’s no fruit quite like the guava. It is just so full of bursting flavor and deliciousness that many people wonder why they didn’t eat it before when they finally get around to trying it for the very first time!
Not only does it feature a wonderfully immersive taste, that children especially are sure to fall in love with, it has all kinds of wonderfully nutritious properties that are perfect for those who tend to miss out on their daily portions of fruit. Its levels of vitamin C are off the charts! Even the leaves of the guava tree are used in traditional medicine as a natural remedy for digestive ailments.
And it isn’t only great on its own. It is included in candies of all sorts, especially in its country of origin, Mexico. The way that it has been making the most waves on the world stage is through jams and juices. However, when it comes down to how you can include this versatile fruit in different foods and drinks, the list is so extensive that you should see it as a viable option for all kinds of culinary experimentations.
In recent years, many smoothies have been made with this fruit, especially to cater to those who like their smoothies to be extra sweet. But there are many more possibilities that have emerged as well. If you look around, you’ll find it being used in cheesecake recipes, the frosting for cakes and cupcakes, barbecue sauces that promote a tangy lip-smacking flavor, and of course, yogurt and ice creams, as well as gelato.
Table of Contents
How To Eat A Guava Fruit
You can eat the guava fruit whole, you just have to avoid the ends as you would with a fruit like a pear. However, if you would like to make it into a juice or a jam, you should peel it first so that you can enjoy a more pure flavor.
On the other hand, some people do like the skin. Not only is it a rich source of fiber, which many people lack in their daily diets, but it gives it a more earthy flavoring and texture to products like juices. Some juice companies will even process the somewhat bitter seeds for this reason, namely to give it a better-rounded ultimate outcome.
It really comes down to what you’re using it for, and what you would like to taste. For instance, when it comes to making guava cookies a lot of people reject them as they can be too sweet and citrusy. So in this case you may want to include the skin and the seeds to achieve a taste that’s more like brown sugar than unadulterated, regular white refined sugar.
It is so effortlessly magnificent that you can drop a few into a blender with nothing more than water, and maybe just a dash of sugar, and make the popular Mexican drink agua de guayaba in no time at all to accompany any of the main meals of the day!
So, if you want to add guava to a side dish, a salad, or a smoothie, you’ll most likely prefer to peel it to get the fruitiest taste possible.
Step by Step Instructions on how to peel a guava fruit
Equipment
- Vegetable peeler
- Paring knife
- Cutting board
Step 1: Take out the ends
The ends of the guava are the most important parts to avoid no matter what, so cut these completely off with the paring knife over the cutting board so that pinkish sides are exposed.
Step 2: Peel the skin off the areas near the ends
Stand the guava on one of the ends that you just cut and with the vegetable peeler use a downward motion to peel the top side using straight lines, thusly exposing the pinkish insides.
Now, turn it around and do the same on the other side, remember that you are living the middle part for last. Also, make sure to take your time so that you don’t take off too much of the inside of the fruit.
Step 3: Peel the skin off the middle equator
By holding the peeler sideways you’ll be able to get to this area with the most comfort. Also, stabilize it with the cutting board so that you may make controlled peeling motions. In this manner, peel the area that’s left to cut along the middle.
Tips
Now you’re ready to slice it or do whatever it is that you would like. Keep in mind that the seeds are still inside, so you may want to take them out if you want the sweetest ultimate taste. You may also wonder how to remove guava seeds. Just cut the guava into four pies¡ces and then stop the seed with a spoon. Many people remove them when they would like to add guava slices to a salad or other dishes that don’t have that strong of a flavoring, to begin with.
If you’d like to make a pie, to get the best earthy flavoring you’ll want to keep the skin, except for the ends, like with many apple pie recipes.
It’s also advisable to peel it before you eat it if it isn’t quite ripe yet or if you see dark spots along the surface.
Conclusion
It’s hard to describe the taste of the guava fruit, but some people say that it is a bit like a cross between a pear and a strawberry, which isn’t too far off as a comparison. Upon trying it, you may also think that it has notes of mango and grapefruit, something that probably has something to do with its bright yellow coloring.
Do you eat guava skin? It’s completely up to you. These considerations will play a part in choosing whether to peel it or not.
Don’t be afraid to try out different ways of eating the guava and incorporating it into recipes. Who knows? You may like just a bit of guava peel in a smoothie, and all of it for a pie.
Just makes sure that if you do peel it, to do it right.
Read more about Amazing Old Fashioned Guava Jelly Recipe
Casia is a passionate home cook who loves to share her love of Mexican food with the world. She has been cooking since she was a child, helping her grandmother in the kitchen and learning the traditional techniques used to create delicious Mexican dishes. Casia loves to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, always looking for ways to make her dishes even more flavorful. She is also passionate about teaching others about Mexican cuisine and its rich history. When she is not in the kitchen, Casia enjoys exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.