Organic guava extract
The fruit of the guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a popular fruit in its countries of origin and cultivation and is mostly eaten raw. The fruits are peeled and then eaten out of hand. In Asia, people like them sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Because of its delicious, sweet and sour and very aromatic scent, the guava is also used to prepare jams, sweets, chutneys and desserts. Many multivitamin juices contain the juice of the fruit. The guava is full of valuable ingredients, which is why it is often referred to as “superfood”. The guava also plays a role in traditional medicine in many cultures. At BERTRAND, we use organic guava extract mainly because of the high vitamin content.
The origin of our guava extract
The evergreen guava tree is native to tropical and subtropical America. According to studies, this is where the so-called “gene center” is located, which means that this is where the wild form of the plant shows its greatest variety of forms. Nowadays, neophytic (“imported”) occurrences exist in many countries where they were not previously native – even in Sicily. The organic guavas for our guava extract come from India and Malaysia. Here, guavas of the “Java Apple” variety are grown in particular, which are characterised by a firm yet juicy consistency and score with a rather sour and refreshing taste. Our suppliers work according to the specifications of the European ecological guidelines and standards. This guarantees the high quality that we expect from all of our ingredients.
The organic guavas for our guava extract come from India and Malaysia.
1 of 1How is guava extract made?
Depending on the country of origin, the guava has many different names, such as Jambu bijii, Fan shi liu, Fan tao, Farang or Goiba. The fruits, which are also known as “quinces of the tropics”, differ, depending on the variety, mainly in the color of their pulp. It appears white, white-greenish, pink, yellow or reddish and the ripe fruits smell wonderfully exotic. The taste exhibits nuances of quince, pear and fig when fully ripe. Unripe fruits are very sour and have an astringent (furry) effect in the mouth.
Why guava?
The fruit of the guava is extremely rich in vital substances. For our BERTRAND drinkable meals, we give particular importance to the vitamins of the B complex, which are supplied by the organic guava extract. But let’s first look at the general nutritional values of the exotic fruit:
Energy
Guavas provide only 34 kilocalories per 100 grams of fresh fruit. This makes them one of the fruits with the lowest calories and in this respect they are comparable to watermelons or strawberries. When drying, the energy density increases four to six times. However, since powder weighs little, the amount consumed is much lower. So proportionately only a few “guava calories” find their way into our products.
Water
The fresh fruit contains almost 84 percent water. This is practically completely removed from the fruit by freeze-drying and subsequent grinding.
Carbohydrates
The carbohydrate content of guava is 5.82 percent and consists of around 60 percent fructose and almost 40 percent glucose.
Protein
The protein content of 100 grams of fruit is around 1.0 percent on average. It contains all eight essential and almost all non-essential amino acids.
Fats
Guava fruits have a fat content of only 0.5 percent. But this also includes the valuable omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Linoleic and linolenic acids, which are also included, are considered good for skin and hair.
Fiber
Of the 5.2 percent fiber in guava, the pectins should be especially emphasized. Pectins swell in the stomach and ensure a long-lasting satiety effect. Fiber is important for the digestive organs to function properly. Together with essential oils, secondary plant substances (such as cell-protecting lycopene) and tannins, organic guava extract is a nutritional supplement that with its vital substances and nutrients is really impressive.
Guava in natural medicine and cosmetics
Guavas are considered medicinal plants in many of their countries of origin. Pharmacological studies show that, for example, the leaves of the guava plant can have antibiotic, antioxidant and antiallergenic effects. As a brew, the leaves are still used today by the Amazon Indians against gastrointestinal complaints (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting). Clinical studies prove the healing effect with these problems. When chewed raw, the young leaves are said to combat bleeding gums and bad breath. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), a narcotic is made from guava leaves. Sometimes the effects of leaves and bark are even described as morphine-like.
Extracts from guava are widely used in cosmetics. Massage oils, sun care products, facial tonics, lip gloss and general care products contain guava extracts. Their bioactive antioxidants are supposed to protect the skin from free radicals and harmful environmental influences. By-products and residues such as peel, seeds or pulp from fruit processing are often used. According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV), this is an interesting source of secondary plant substances that may have their effects in cosmetic products.
- Image at the top of the page: Sutana4 via Shutterstock
- Map of Asia: cash1994 via Shutterstock
- Post image, guavas on white background: Anna Kucherova via Shutterstock
