Review of Trader Joe's Kiwi Berries

It was 2 or 3 years ago that I first discovered kiwi berries in the refrigerated produce section of the local Trader Joe's specialty grocery food store.

They came packaged in a plastic 6-� oz. clamshell container similar to the one that grape or cherry tomatoes come in, but half the size. They are about the size and shape of grapes, but definitely looked like tiny kiwi sans the fuzzy skin.

At about $3.50 a package I found them rather pricey, but curiosity got the best of me and I just had to try them, so I footed the expensive bill and hoped they'd be worth it.

And worth it they were! That is, after I figured out how to eat them. They were tiny, but still looked like a kiwi. If sliced in half, the inside definitely says 'kiwi'! I wasn't sure if they should be peeled or not. My first attempt, I did try to peel them, but soon discovered it wasn't worth the effort. The skin was soft and had no fur. I washed them and began popping them into my mouth. The little package of delicacies didn't make it through the day. From then on I made a point of purchasing a pack at every Trader Joe's visit since then. But, to my dismay they weren't in the store long. Gone in a matter of weeks. I didn't find them again until the next fall.

Kiwi Berries are a cousin of the better-known "fuzzy" kiwi fruit. Kiwi Berries are very nutritious and high in antioxidants. They originated in the cooler regions of China, Japan, Korea, and Russia, but were brought to the United States in the 1800's. Here in the states they are cultivated in temperate areas on vines that flower in June. They are harvested in the fall from late September through mid-October, appearing on the shelves of Trader Joe's for a very short time.

The Kiwi Berry has no fuzz, so there is no need for peeling the skin off before popping them into your mouth to enjoy the sweet, tropical flavor.

The kiwiberrie should be allowed to ripen at room temperature. They are best eaten when soft and the skin slightly wrinkled. They can be refrigerated for a longer life, but returned to room temperature for the best flavor when using.

Kiwi Berries come in several varieties. "Passion Poppers", "Aloha Annas", and "Novelty Fruits" are a few of them.

Studies have shown the nutrient rich kiwi to be a promising in cancer prevention. With about 20 nutrients in promising amounts contained in this fruit it is a powerhouse, making it more like a vegetable than a fruit. It contains twice the amount of Vitamin E as an avocado, with 60% of the calories. The kiwi is rich in folic acid, high in fiber, and an excellent source of chromium. It has almost no sodium and is higher per ounce in potassium than bananas! This powerhouse has a vitamin c content nearly 5 times that of a medium orange!

Personally, I've enjoyed eating these delicious berries more than any of the other afore-mentioned fruit above. As if they weren't good enough on their own, they can be consumed in other creative ways.

Pureed or smashed with a fork to be used in sauces, marinades, salsas, sorbets, or as meat tenderizers. If not used immediately, the puree should be frozen to store it due to it's active enzyme actinidin. The skins can be left on if you prefer a bitter/sweet flavor.

Use whole or sliced Kiwi Berries to add to salads and cereals, or to top ice cream or oatmeal. Make muffins or even margaritas! Visit www.Kiwiberry.com.