Most people take for granted the presence of Kiwifruit (aka The Chinese Gooseberry; Actinidia spp.) on the market and their delicious berry-like pulp. However, I think of it as “the fruit that started it all”, because if it wasn’t for the Kiwifruit’s introduction to the world market, and the woman who was responsible for it, we may all still be stuck in a market only offering bananas, oranges and apples.
In fact, up until 1962, there were no new fruit introductions to the US Market since the banana in the late 1800’s! Then one brave woman came along, named Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan—who has since been named “The Mick Jagger of Produce”, among other things—and through her efforts first came the kiwi, followed by a succession of exotic tropical fruits…in fact, the whole of the natural products industry should take a bow to this woman’s work.
Here are another couple of surprising facts about Kiwi: Although originally native to China, the name Kiwifruit makes everyone think it is only from New Zealand. Also, you know that crazy-looking brown fuzzy skin? Next time, try it—it is completely edible!
#ethnobotany #ethnopharm #biodiversity #kiwi #friedacaplan #naturalproducts #fruit #newzealand #china
Photo by Cottonbro