For guava lovers, the bigger the better

After sugarless aerated drinks, low-calorie food and high-fibre cookies, a diet-conscious Metro now picks up low-sugar fruit varieties.

While guava is known to be a much sought-after fruit for its benefits to diabetics, now overseas guava varieties seem to be pushing the indigenous varieties off the market shelves.

Larger varieties, having less sugar content than smaller ones, have become favourites for consumers, say horticulture experts. New varieties of guava, with each fruit weighing 300-400 gm, are much in demand, thanks to their health benefits, say experts from the department of horticulture. Smaller varieties among the lot are priced at Rs 30-40 per fruit, while the bigger ones are priced as high as Rs 460 a kg.

Varieties such as VNR Bihi and those from Thailand are replacing indigenous ones as consumers’ favourites. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dr S V Hittalmani, former senior additional director, department of horticulture, said, “These are varieties that are specific to Thailand. They are preferred over the usual Allahabad Safeda and Pink Flesh variety. Even though the taste differs, the new varieties are chosen because they have low sugar content.”

He said that these varieties are also rich in nutrition. “Besides Vitamin C, it is packed with anti-oxidants,” Hittalmani explained. “Cultivation is catching up in and around Bengaluru as it is in high demand.”

While for consumers it means better health, these varieties spell profit for farmers. Devesh Shukla, national head, VNR Nursery Private Limited, said that the variety has a higher shelf life than the smaller ones.

“It can be cultivated across the country,” he said.
Besides, the VNR Bihi variety has more pulp which makes it better for the consumer. “If the fruit weighs about 300 gm, just about 20 gm will be seeds. Thus, there is more pulp,” Shukla said. The VNR Bihi variety has 496 mg per 100 g of antioxidants, while an apple has only about 123 mg.