Kiwi’s origins

Kiwifruit is native to Southeast Asia, originally known as Chinese gooseberry and considered a delicacy. In the early 1900s, it was brought to New Zealand and the United States by missionaries, where it was renamed “kiwifruit” — kiwi for short —because of its close resemblance to the fuzzy New Zealand kiwi bird.

The benefits of kiwi

Vitamin C is an essential element in maintaining the collagen in your skin, which keeps skin firm and supple. According to Ladies’ Home Journal, kiwi contains more vitamin C per ounce than any other fruit. Plus, kiwi’s furry exterior keeps vitamin C from escaping because the nutrient tends to evaporate when exposed to air, water or heat, according to the magazine.

Adding kiwi to your diet

Eating kiwifruit is an easy and delicious way to experience its benefits. It can be eaten with or without the skin — although the skin is a good source of fiber. While many people peel and slice kiwifruit, others prefer the “slooping” method: Slice in half and scoop the fruit’s flesh out with a spoon. Add kiwifruit to your diet by:

• Cutting it up in cereal or oatmeal for breakfast
• Substituting it for tomatoes in your afternoon sandwich
• Blending with cantaloupe and yogurt to make a chilled soup
• Using it as a meat tenderizer (its acidity makes for a good marinade)

Preparing kiwi-inspired treatments

If you’re not a big fan of eating kiwi, love concocting your own skincare or want another way to add it to your routine, you can whip up kiwi treatments right in your kitchen. Here are two kiwi-infused recipes from the Web site Spa Index.

• Kiwi toner

1. Mash 1 kiwifruit and pour 1 cup of boiling water over it. Let it stand until cool (20-30 minutes).
2. Strain to remove fruit. Add 1 tablespoon of vodka and stir. Apply to your face using a cotton ball.
3. Keep in a sealed container in the fridge for a week to 10 days.

• Kiwi facial cleanser

1 kiwifruit
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon orange water
1 tablespoon apricot or almond oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon almonds, finely ground
2 drops orange essential oil

Puree the kiwifruit until liquid. Add yogurt, orange water, almond or apricot oil and ground almonds. Blend until thick.  Stir in the orange essential oil. To apply, massage gently over face and neck, and then rinse well. This makes one application.

Applying formulas with kiwifruit

Don’t feel like cooking up your skincare? You can find many kiwi formulas on the market. Here are a few options.

• Packed with kiwi extract and other fruit extracts, H2O Plus Kiwi-Cassis Shower and Bath Gel gently washes away impurities, without stripping your skin of moisture, leaving your body soft and refreshed.

• H2O Plus Kiwi-Cassis Moisture Boosting Balm features kiwi, shea butter and aloe vera to nourish, soothe and soften your skin.

Selecting and storing kiwifruit

You can tell that kiwifruit is ripe when it gives in to slight pressure. If it’s not ripe when you buy it, it’ll ripen quickly when stored in a brown paper bag at room temperature (especially when stored with an apple or banana). If you plan to eat the kiwi within a few days, simply store the fruit at room temperature or keep it in the fridge.

Summer recipe

In honor of summer, try this kiwi-packed recipe for fruit kabobs from David Grotto’s 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life.

Ingredients

2 sliced kiwifruit

1 sliced apple or pear

1 sliced banana

1/2 cup red seedless grapes

1/2 cup sliced strawberries

2/3 cup pineapple chunks

1 cup non-fat yogurt

1/4 cup dried coconut, shredded

4 skewers

Directions

Slide the fruit pieces onto the skewers. Spread the coconut and yogurt on separate large plates. Roll each kebab in the yogurt, and then the coconut. Add raisins, chopped nuts, or granola for added flavor.

Consider adding vitamin C-packed kiwi to your routine — whether you incorporate kiwi into your diet, cook up homemade treatments or buy kiwi-infused formulas.

See also:

Pomegranate

10 Skin-Boosting Recipes for Spring & Summer

10 DIY Summer Treatments to Rejuvenate Skin from Head to Toe