Field guide · Autumn–winter (Med)

Kiwi

Every language in the market just says kiwi — except Greek, aktinídio, and New Zealand, which insists on kiwifruit because a kiwi is a bird. The fruit is Chinese. English sold it as the Chinese gooseberry until 1959, when Turners and Growers renamed it; melonette was tried first and dropped because melons drew a heavier American tariff. Portugal is a top-ten grower, Entre Douro e Minho holding seventy per cent, picked through October and November. The enzyme in a raw one digests protein, so it will not set in jelly and it curdles cream. Simplest thing to do with it: eat it out of its own skin with a teaspoon.

Noted 2026-08-31