I am constantly looking for ways to eat healthy, combining the right type of foods together to create wholesome meals to follow a good eating plan. So, when I was traveling through Italy last year, I walked into the breakfast room at my hotel in Genoa and noticed a woman piling up in a bowl loads of sliced Kiwi. She went to her table and nearly gulped them with a glass of water and then went back for seconds, doing the same afterwards. That image stuck to my mind and I decided to find out the story behind the kiwi fruit, the minute I stepped foot in the states. Unfortunately, that was nine months ago.

Recently, while in the grocery store, I noticed another woman stocking up on kiwi and I suddenly remembered the woman in Genoa, rushing home afterwards to research the kiwi. This is what I discovered:

Health Benefits

Premier Antioxidant Protection
Fiber for Blood Sugar Control and colon health
Protection against Asthma
Protection against Macular Degeneration
Cardiovascular health

How to Enjoy

A Few Quick Serving Ideas:

Kiwifruit are so delicious, they can be eaten as is. One of our favorite ways to do so is to peel with a paring knife and slice.
Add kiwifruit to tossed green salads.
Serve sliced kiwifruit and strawberries, fruits whose flavors are naturally complementary, topped with yogurt.
Mix sliced kiwifruit, orange and pineapple together to make chutney that can be served as an accompaniment to chicken or fish.
Blend kiwifruit and cantaloupe in a food processor to make a chilled soup. For a creamier consistency, blend yogurt in with the fruit mixture.
Kiwifruit have a wonderful flavor and appearance for use in fruit tarts.

How to Select and Store

When selecting kiwifruits, hold them between your thumb and forefinger and gently apply pressure; those that have the sweetest taste will yield gently to pressure. Avoid those that are very soft, shriveled or have bruised or damp spots. As size is not related to the fruit’s quality, choose a kiwifruit based upon your personal preference or recipe need. Kiwifruits are usually available throughout most of the year.

If kiwifruits do not yield when you gently apply pressure with your thumb and forefinger, they are not yet ready to be consumed since they will not have reached the peak of their sweetness. Kiwifruits can be left to ripen for a few days to a week at room temperature, away from exposure to sunlight or heat. Placing the fruits in a paper bag with an apple, banana or pear will help to speed their ripening process. Ripe kiwifruits can be stored either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For the most antioxidants, consume fully ripened kiwifruit.

{The above are exerpt from The Worlds Healthiest Foods, to read more click here}