Quick Answer
Kiwi is not a citrus fruit. Though it shares some similarities to other citrus fruits, kiwis contain less citric acid than oranges, lemons, and other fruits in this category.
It is this citric acid that makes these fruits so sharp and flavorsome.
You may have wondered if kiwi is a citrus fruit. Kiwis are often considered citrus fruits because of their similarities to these fruits.
Like them, kiwis are extremely juicy. Fruits are broken down into different categories, such as citrus, stone, and tropical fruit.
Citrus fruits are one of the most well-known categories of fruit. It contains fruits such as oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruit.
But the truth is that kiwi is not a citrus fruit. Here’s why!
What Is A Kiwi?
Kiwi, also known as kiwifruit, is a fruit with a furry exterior.
The exterior skin of this fruit has a brown hue, while the soft inside is green. Kiwis have a deliciously sweet taste.
Is Kiwi A Citrus Fruit?
No, kiwi is not classified as citrus fruit. It shares many characteristics of citrus fruits, yet it does not belong to this category.
To understand why this is, you must first understand what a citrus fruit is.
What Is A Citrus Fruit?
Citrus fruits come from citrus trees and plants, which belong to the Rutaceae family. These fruits originate from the citrus genera.
Not to mention, many citrus fruits share similar characteristics. They tend to be very high in citric acid.
This weak acid is naturally found in these fruits. This acid is responsible for the sharp and sour flavor of many citrus fruits.
Moreover, citrus fruits usually have thick skins. Inside these skins, these fruits are soft and juicy.
The skin of these fruits tends to be separated into convenient segments. This category of fruit also tends to be a superb source of vitamin C.
Providing numerous benefits to the human body, it is important to get enough vitamin C in your diet.
For example, it is used to create skin, blood vessels, and bones. Vitamin C is also required for growth.
There are loads of different varieties of citrus fruits, though some of the most popular and well-known types are tangerines, lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, and pomelos.
Why Are Kiwis Not A Citrus Fruit?
The reason why kiwis are not considered citrus fruits is that they don’t fulfill many of these conditions.
The main reason why a kiwi is not a citrus fruit is that it does not grow from a citrus shrub or tree.
Given that this is an essential criterion for citrus fruits, it makes sense for kiwis to not be included in this category.
Not to mention, kiwis do not have as large a trace of citric acid as citrus fruits.
Though kiwis contain a decent amount of citric acid, this is still much lower than fruits that belong to this category.
Hence, kiwis have a sharp taste but it is still less potent than lemons and limes.
Kiwis contain approximately 90 mg of vitamin C. Despite their high levels of vitamin C, kiwis are not citrus fruits.
This is because many different fruits are high in this vitamin, not just this category.
For instance, strawberries, mangoes, and pineapples are all excellent sources of this vitamin.
Yet, they are not considered citrus fruits because the majority of fruits contain high levels of vitamin C.
There is a common misconception that oranges are the best source of this vitamin.
In reality, oranges are a good way of getting plenty of vitamin C, but other fruits will work too.
What Type Of Fruit Is A Kiwi Fruit?
Now that you know that kiwis are not classified as citrus fruits, you might be wondering what category they belong to.
The truth may surprise you! Kiwis are actually true berries. They grow from plants in the genus Actinidia.
Moreover, kiwis have a fleshy texture.
They also originate from just one ovary and do not contain a stone at the center, meaning that they satisfy the definition of a berry.
You may be surprised to learn that many fruits are botanically classified as berries.
This includes fruits such as bananas, grapes, and tomatoes!
Though strawberries and raspberries are considered berries in the culinary sense, they are not actually labeled as berries.
This is because the scientific and common definitions of berries are very different from one another.
What Are The Nutritional Benefits Of Kiwis?
If you enjoy eating kiwis, this is great news. These fruits are incredibly nutritious.
Consequently, they contribute toward a person’s recommended daily intake of 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.
As mentioned, kiwis are high in vitamin C, but they are also good courses of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin K.
Consequently, kiwis provide numerous health benefits. However, you should refrain from having kiwis more than once a day.
This is because they are extremely high in natural sugar. Like all fruits, they should be consumed in moderation.
Here are just some of the benefits that you get from consuming kiwis:
Improved Digestion
Because of their impressive levels of fiber, kiwis help people to achieve digestive regularity.
Kiwis contain actinidin, an enzyme that supports the digestion of protein.
So if you have been suffering from constipation or other digestive problems, kiwis could be the solution.
Better Heart Health
Kiwi can help your body to better maintain its blood pressure. As a consequence, this can help the heart.
This will result in people who regularly eat kiwis being at a lower risk of heart disease.
High Levels Of Antioxidants
Found primarily in fruits and vegetables, antioxidants are useful molecules that will ward off free radicals in your body.
These free radicals will cause cell damage, so it’s important to get a decent amount of antioxidants in your diet.
The most common forms of antioxidants are vitamins C and E, both of which are present in kiwis.
Aid The Immune System
The immune system has an important role in the human body.
It protects the body from foreign invaders, such as bacteria. Fortunately, the vitamins found in kiwis help the immune system.
If you belong to a vulnerable group, it’s a particularly good idea to eat kiwis. This will ensure that your immune system is strong!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bananas A Citrus Fruit?
No bananas are not citrus fruits. They do not contain high levels of citric acid and do not grow from the same family of trees as citrus fruits.
Instead, bananas are considered true berries, which is the same category as kiwis. This is due to how bananas grow.
Is Kiwi A Superfood?
It is hard to say whether or not any food is a superfood, as there is no official way of classifying this.
Many people consider kiwi to be a superfood thanks to its high nutritional value.
Namely, kiwis are excellent sources of vitamin C. Kiwis offer numerous health benefits.
As a result, we consider it to be a superfood, alongside sweet potatoes, avocados, broccoli, and coconuts.
How Long Do Kiwis Last?
This will depend on the storage method that you use. At room temperature, kiwis have a limited shelf life. They should last approximately 5 to 7 days.
However, kiwis can last for much longer when they are refrigerated.
When placed in the fridge, kiwis should remain fresh for 3 to 4 weeks. After this, the fruit will begin to expire.
When kept in the freezer, kiwis can last for up to a year.
Final Thoughts
Though you may assume that kiwis are citrus fruits, it makes sense that they are not included in this category.
While it may sound odd to refer to kiwis and berries, the truth is that they fit this classification much better than they do citrus fruits.
The next time you enjoy a juicy kiwi, remember that they are considered berries!
Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.
I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!
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