The Fruit Of The Acca, Feijoa (Pineapple Guava)

Acca sellowiana

In front of the south facing wall of the Nash Building, in a border full of shrubs, there is a quite plain, scruffy looking shrub with grey-green leaves. However, upon looking into the dense covering of leaves, the shrub, Acca sellowiana (also known as Feijoa sellowiana or Pineapple Guava) is laden with green, waxy skinned, egg shaped fruit. Planted several years ago this is the first time it has produced fruit.

The Fruit Of The Acca, Feijoa

Ripe when they drop they are similar in size to a Kiwi fruit. A strange mix of flavours but delicious they can be used in crumbles, cakes, jam, salsa, curry, chutney and even wine but the most popular is, as with the Kiwi, to cut off the top and scoop out the fleshy inside with a spoon. The flavour is unusual and is described as a mixture of "strawberries and pineapple, with a pear-like gritty texture, and a hint of mint.’
This shrub has been mentioned in the blog once before but not for its fruit but for the exotic flowers see blog entry 29th June 2012 'Tomatoes and Pineapples'. When in flower or laden with fruit this rather ordinary shrub takes on a very different appearance and looks great against this south facing wall.  

Ripe Feijoa Fruit