Feijoa Heaven

The feijoa tree in our backyard is getting close to 50 years old.  When my parents planted it the nurseryman told them they would need a male and a female but quite early on one died.  Nevertheless it hasn't stopped the remaining feijoa from producing a bountiful crop year after year, although it's possible it is being pollinated by someone else's feijoa tree within a reasonable vicinity.  Once they start to fall they rain down by the bucketful for weeks.

 The feijoa is from the myrtle family and known in some places as the pineapple guava. It is native to South America.  

Our trees tends to give a mix of sizes, the largest ones the size of duck eggs, the average one the size of a hen's egg and the smallest like a bantam's egg.

I love the feijoas fresh from the tree.  They are sweet, aromatic and delicious!  They also make a nice juice or can be used for chutneys, jams, sauces, desserts, scones, muffins, cakes, smoothies, ice cream, salsa, salads and more. You can even drizzle them with olive oil and roast them in the oven. 

The tree is a very attractive ornamental tree as well and the red flowers are pretty so all in all it is a valued resident in the backyard.

Meanwhile, as if word had gotten out, another wild kitten showed up here several days ago which has now become Tabitha's best friend and seems to have adopted us.  It's looking a lot happier now it is being well fed and the pair of them like playing in the feijoa tree so see - it's even a favourite with kittens!