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Feijoa recipes

Published: Aug 2, 2021 by Sarah Brooks

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Everything you need to know about feijoa, what they taste like, where to get them and what to cook with them including a great collection of feijoa recipes.

Collage of pictures of feijoa recipes, feijoa chutney, feijoa muffins, feijoa crumble, feijoa cake, feijoa loaf, feijoa cheesecake, feijoa ice cream and feijoa fizz, with text overlay, feijoa recipes.

Already know all about feijoas and just looking for feijoa recipes? Click HERE to go straight to the recipes.

Jump to:
  • What are feijoas?
  • Where are feijoas grown in the world?
  • Where to get feijoa
  • Are feijoas good for you?
  • What do feijoas taste like?
  • How to eat feijoa
  • What to make with feijoas
  • How to store feijoas
  • Recipes for feijoas

What are feijoas?

Feijoas or feijoa sellowiana, also sometimes known as pineapple guava or guavasteen. Feijoas are a type of flowering plant that's native to some parts of South America. The plants are evergreen shrubs or trees with dark waxy leaves and pretty red flowers. Once established the plants can be prolific fruiters during fruit season in Autumn. Single plants can produce upwards of forty kilos of fruit in one season, that's a lot of feijoas!

The fruit themselves are green and ellipsoid in shape and are roughly the size of a chicken egg. The internal flesh is sweet, juicy and almost jelly like, surrounded by a firmer opaque flesh that's a bit gritty like pears can be. The fruit falls the ground when its ripe and it best to let them do so for maximum flavor. Feijoas are prone to bruising so its best to use them within a few days of harvesting, or see below for tips on how to preserve them for longer.

Feijoa fruit.
Feijoa fruit.

Where are feijoas grown in the world?

Although native to South America feijoas have been truly adopted as their own by New Zealanders. The plants are found far and wide in gardens, farms and streetscapes through the country, both as ornamental trees and for its fruit. Its a very popular fruit and flavoring, with supermarkets selling everything from feijoa juice and yogurt, to cereals, jams and even chocolate.

Feijoa are still unheard of in many parts of the world, but is slowly becoming more popular, especially in places where the plants grown well. You can find feijoas in garden and streetscapes in some parts of the east coast of the USA around California, in some parts of the east coast of Australia and in some parts of Iran, Spain and Italy.

Feijoa flowers
Feijoa flowers.

Image by Herney

Where to get feijoa

In New Zealand feijoas are very easy to find. The supermarkets sell a huge variety of feijoa flavored food. During feijoa season in Autumn they are readily available in supermarkets, markets and road side stalls. Many, many kiwis have feijoas planted in their garden and people are often given bags and bags full of fruit by friends and family with more fruit than they know what do to with.

Outside New Zealand there are a few options. In parts of California in the USA feijoa are sometimes grown as ornamental trees, some people don't even realize the fruit on their trees are edible. Its worth asking around your local buy sell swap groups or social media groups to see if you can fine someone with a tree in your area who's willing to give or trade you some fruit.

Large pile of feijoas.
Large pile of feijoas.

Where to get feijoa in Australia

In Australia feijoas are becoming more and more common, partly due to the high number of kiwis who have moved to Australia from New Zealand. Feijoas are planted as street trees in some cities including Melbourne and Sydney. Its worth asking around your local buy, sell swap groups, social media and community notice boards to see if anyone has some trees in your area. This is certainly the most economical way of getting hold of some feijoa fruit.

You can also find feijoas at some markets during feijoa season. At the time of writing there are few feijoa farms in Australia such as Feijoa Addiction in Brisbane Australia (postage available), Adelaide Hills Feijoas (collection from farm only). Know of any others? Let me know in the comments and I'll update the post!

Very large feijoa being held in hand.
Some feijoa can grow really big! This one's the size of your hand!

Are feijoas good for you?

Feijoas are an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. They are best in enjoyed in moderation, if you 'smash' to many feijoa in one session the you can end up with a fiber overload.

What do feijoas taste like?

Feijoas have as very distinctive flavor that's hard to describe. They sort of taste like a cross between pineapple, apple and mint hence pineapple guavas. But not really, and more tangy.

How to eat feijoa

To eat feijoa simple slice them length ways top to bottom, and not straight across the longest part and you instinctively might do. Cutting the feijoas open length ways allows you to scoop out the flesh more easily and get the tangy pulp. If you get tired of eating the fresh fruit you can of course use them to make a variety of delicious recipes, everything from chutney and muffins to cheesecake and syrups.

Slicing open feijoas and scooping out flesh.
Eating fresh feijoas.

Can you eat feijoa skins?

You can eat feijoa skins, but its not recommended to eat them raw as they taste rather bitter. The skin is where at lot of the feijoa flavor and perfume is, so it can be added to cooked feijoa dishes in moderation to amp up the feijoa flavor. Interesting feijoa flower petals are also edible and make a pretty addition to salads.

What to make with feijoas

Feijoas are a surprisingly versatile fruit. They work well in savory dishes such as salsas and chutneys, to baking such as a class crumbles and muffins and my husbands favorite, cheesecake! You can even make delicious drinks with the left over skins, such as easy feijoa fizz. Easy to make by mildly alcoholic so defiantly not child friendly!

Feijoa cake.
Slice of feijoa cake.

How to store feijoas

Feijoas are best eaten fresh when they have dropped from the tree. They can be prone to spoiling really easily, where one bad feijoa can spoil the rest really quickly. If you have space you can lay out news paper somewhere cool and dry, such a garage, and lay the fruit out without any of them touching. Alternatively I have keep them on my kitchen bench for up to a week, in containers so that again the individual fruit isn't touching. Check the feijoas every day or so and remove any fruit showing signs of brown spots or going bad immediately.

Preserving feijoas

Feijoas can be preserved in a number of ways. The the classic way is to make delicious feijoa chutney, as per the banging recipe below. Feijoas also freeze well for a year round treat beyond feijoa season.

Freezing feijoas

Feijoas can be stored easily in the freezer for several months. You can put the whole fruit in the freezer and defrost when you want to use them. Alternatively you can scoop the flesh out of the skins and measure them out the correct quality for you favorite recipes, then label and freeze in batches for a delicious feijoa treat throughout the year.

Recipes for feijoas

Got heaps of feijoas but not sure what to make? Below is a selection of delicious feijoa recipes with everything from savory and baking, to ice cream and drinks. Read on for some mouth watering inspiration.

Savory feijoa recipes

jar of homemade feijoa chutney on a board, with vintage spoon and fresh feijoas, stacked jars of chutney in the background.
Feijoa chutney.
Feijoa chutney
This feijoa chutney is a fantastic way of using up loads of feijoas and keeping them for a long time. A great savory option that pairs wonderfully with cheese.
Check out this recipe
Close up jar of homemade feijoa chutney on a board, with vintage spoon and fresh feijoas, stacked jars of chutney in the background.

Feijoa baking

Other than chutney baking is probably the most classic way of using feijoas. Here you will find classic feijoa muffins and a delicious feijoa loaf that are not too sweet. The feijoa loaf is a great option if you're not a huge fan of feijoas (crazy people, but they do exist :D) as it only has a mild feijoa taste.

Feijoa muffins with fresh feijoas and feijoa leaves, with extra muffins in muffins tins in the background.
Feijoa muffins.
Feijoa muffins
These fresh feijoa muffins are a light and easy way to use feijoas. They are delicious warm from the oven and freeze well for a year round treat.
Check out this recipe
Close up feijoa muffins with fresh feijoas and feijoa leaves, with extra muffins on a cooling rack in the background.
Sliced feijoa loaf on a chopping board, with one buttered slice, fresh feijoas and leaves and a butter knife.
Feijoa loaf cake.
Feijoa loaf
This feijoa loaf is a quick, easy and delicious way to use feijoas. With a mild feijoa taste its kind of like a yummy banana bread but with feijoas!
Check out this recipe
Close up buttered slice of feijoa loaf on a chopping board, with fresh feijoas and leaves and a butter knife.

Feijoa desserts

If you are hungry for something to satisfy your sweet tooth look no further than this fabulous collection of feijoa desserts. There is something for everyone here, from class feijoa crumble and feijoa cake, to more unusual feijoa ice cream and our personal favorite, feijoa cheesecake!

Feijoa crumble on a plate with a scoop of ice cream on top, vintage spoon on the side and fresh feijoas and baking dish of crumble in the background.
Feijoa crumble.
Feijoa Crumble
This cozy feijoa crumble is full of delicious feijoa flavor with a hint of warming ginger. Perfect for using lots of feijoas when your tree is producing heaps!
Check out this recipe
Close up side view of feijoa crumble on a plate with ice cream.
slice of feijoa cake on a plate with a cake fork, the rest of the cake and fresh feijoas and leaves in the background.
Feijoa cake.
Feijoa cake
This feijoa cake is pretty as a picture. With a luscious lime icing and fresh feijoa decorations, this cake looks amazing and tastes even better.
Check out this recipe
Close up slice of feijoa cake on a plate with a cake fork, the rest of the cake and fresh feijoas and leaves in the background.
Feijoa cheesecake with slice taking out, silver serving ware and fresh feijoas and feijoa leaves in the background.
Feijoa cheesecake.
Feijoa cheesecake
This no bake feijoa cheesecake is fresh, creamy, tangy and absolutely delicious! Its so good you'll be making it on repeat all feijoa season.
Check out this recipe
Slice of feijoa cake on the serving plate with vintage spoon, rest of cake and fresh feijoas in the background.
Scoop of feijoa ice cream with fresh feijoa, vintage spoon and sprig of feijoa leaves.
Feijoa ice cream.
Feijoa ice cream
This feijoa ice cream is fresh, fruity and full of feijoa flavor. A great way to use a bountiful feijoa harvest and enjoy the fruit beyond feijoa season.
Check out this recipe
Scoop of feijoa ice cream with fresh feijoa, vintage spoon and sprig of feijoa leaves.

Feijoa Drinks

So much of that distinctive flavor and perfume can be found in the feijoa skins. If you have more feijoas than you know what to do with you can use whole feijoas to make fabulous feijoa syrup. A great refreshing option on a warm or not so warm day.

You can get also get multiple uses from the same batch of feijoas by using the left over skins from any of these other recipes to make an easy feijoa fizz. It takes a few days to make, but most of that is leaving it alone to let the natural yeasts in the feijoa skins do their thing. With very little effort before you know it you'll be knocking back a batch of you're very own fizz. Its kind of like a mild feijoa cider and very delicious!

Glass of made up feijoa syrup with ice and fresh feijoa garnish, with bottle of feijoa syrup and fresh feijoas and leaves.
Feijoa syrup.
Feijoa syrup
This feijoa syrup is an delicious and creative way to use left over feijoa skin from other recipes. Makes a refreshing drink or an aromatic cocktail!
Check out this recipe
Close up glass of made up feijoa syrup with ice and fresh feijoa garnish, with bottle of feijoa syrup and fresh feijoas and leaves.
Tall glass of feijoa fizz on a board, with bottle of feijoa fizz, fresh feijoas and feijoa leaves.
Feijoa fizz.
Feijoa fizz
This feijoa fizz is a simple way use left over feijoa skins to get maximum flavor from them. A quick homebrew that makes a delicious fizzy alcoholic drink.
Check out this recipe
Close up tall glass of feijoa fizz on a board, with bottle of feijoa fizz, fresh feijoas and feijoa leaves.

So there you have it. Everything you need to know about feijoas, what they taste like, where to get them and a choice selection of feijoa recipes.

Hungry for more great kiwi recipes? Why not try making

  • Ginger crunch
  • Pikelets
  • Slow cooker lamb shoulder

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook for many more delicious recipes!

Feijoa chutney, feijoa crumble, feijoa cheesecake and feijoa fizz photos, with text overlay, feijoa recipes and The Aussie Home Cook.

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Sarah Brooks

I'm Sarah the Aussie home cook, I love making delicious, family-friendly meals and treats, using fresh produce from my home veggie garden whenever possible.

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