The kiwi is named after the flightless Kiwi bird of New Zealand (which it looks very similar to), although its origins are in Yangtze Valley of China. The original designation of Chinese gooseberry is also misleading, since it is not a true member of the gooseberry family. Kiwi fruits actually grow on woody vines, much like grapes.

In order to establish an association with New Zealand, marketers changed the name to "Kiwifruit". Kiwi fruit actually gets its name from a marketing strategy; kiwi, and the national bird of New Zealand. In 1996, New Zealand Kiwi fruit industry re-branded the kiwi fruit as Zespri. In United States, commercial planting began late 1960s in California. From 50 acres in 1970, the industry in California has grown to more than 8,000 acres today.

Today, processed kiwi ingredients are available from several major producing countries, including, USA ( California), Chile, New Zealand, Italy and China.

Kiwis are extremely high in Vitamin C and are rich in dietary fiber, potassium, copper, magnesium, Vitamin E, and manganese. Additionally, its phytonutrient content has fascinated researchers for its ability to protect DNA in the nucleus of human cells from oxygen-related damage. Researchers are not yet certain which compounds in kiwi give it this protective antioxidant capacity, but they are sure that this healing property is not limited to those nutrients most commonly associated with kiwifruit, including its vitamin C or beta-carotene content. Since kiwi contains a variety of flavonoids and carotenoids that have demonstrated antioxidant activity, these phytonutrients in kiwi may be responsible for this DNA protection.

The fiber in kiwifruit has also been shown to be useful for a number of conditions. Researchers have found that diets that contain plenty of fiber can reduce high cholesterol levels, which may reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Fiber is also good for binding and removing toxins from the colon, which is helpful for preventing colon cancer. In addition, fiber-rich foods, like kiwifruit, are good for keeping the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients under control.

Encore Fruit Marketing can provide an excellent source of kiwi juice concentrate to help consumer products deliver one of the 5 A Day fruit servings.

Kiwi juice concentrate is carefully processed from fresh, ripened kiwis to provide the essential flavor, color and nutrition, in a convenient, ready to use ingredient form for processed beverage and food applications. [1,2,3] is an excellent ingredient to add a fruit serving to your retail label for beverages, cakes, pies, pastries, sauces, jellies and other processed foods like nutrition bars and snacks.

Contact Encore Fruit Marketing today for product samples and information on Kiwi juice concentrate at www.encorefruit.com or Click Here to use our convenient Contact Form.