GUAVA, JAMBU BATU

Guava is indigenous to tropical America but has been naturalized in many countries including Malaysia. The tree grows to about 8 meters high, with characteristic smooth, pale mottled bark that peels off in thin flakes. The fruits are very variable in size, shape and flavour but all have strong sweet smell. Those of good varieties are sweet while others may be tart. In Malaysia, ripe juicy sweet types are eaten fresh, particularly the recently in-troduced seedless variety, or made into juice. Two common forms are yellow or pink-fleshed. Guava fruit is a rich source of vitamin C It has estimated to contain 2-5 times the vitamin C content of fresh orange juice.