How to Eat Guava 8 Different Ways, Plus Tips on How to Buy and Cut the Fruit

Guavas are green-skinned tropical fruits with an aromatic scent and distinct flavor: sweet and tart. You may be familiar with guava, but have you ever bought one at the grocery store and prepared it yourself? Once you know what you’re working with, you’ll discover how versatile and naturally delicious guavas are in sweet and savory dishes alike. Keep reading to learn how to eat guava, as well as how to tell if a guava is ripe and the best way to cut a guava.

What Is a Guava?

A guava is a tropical fruit, native to Central and South America, but it’s now cultivated in many warm climates around the world. It has green to yellow skin, an oval shape, and flesh that may be pink or white, depending on the variety. All guavas also have small, edible seeds and are packed with key nutrients. More specifically, guavas are an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, among other nutrients.

How to Tell If a Guava Is Ripe

When guavas ripen, their scent becomes fragrant and sweet, with fruity and floral notes. Their texture also softens and should give under your fingers when you press the skin. Color-wise, guavas typically transition from a dark green to a lighter yellow-green shade. If you can’t find ripe guavas at the supermarket, you can always buy hard, unripe guavas and let them ripen at room temperature on your kitchen counter.

How to Cut a Guava

To cut a guava, trim the ends, cut it in half, then slice it into wedges as you would an apple. The skin, flesh, and seeds are all edible. If you’d prefer not to eat the skin, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh after halving the guava, the same way you’d prepare an avocado. If you’d prefer not to eat the seeds, you can scoop them out with a spoon. 

What Does Guava Taste Like?

Guava has a tangy, sweet flavor, reminiscent of a cross between a strawberry and a pear, with a tropical essence. The texture of guava flesh is juicy and pear-like, and can sometimes be a little grainy.

How to Eat a Guava

Now that you know how to spot a ripe guava and how to cut a guava, keep reading to discover some of the best ways to eat and enjoy the fresh, tropical fruit.

On Its Own

Guava can be enjoyed on its own; just slice it up and serve it fresh. If you’d like an extra boost of flavor, add a squeeze of lime juice.

In a Fruit Salad

Try making a tropical fruit salad with guava, pineapple, kiwi, and mango. The result will be vibrant, refreshing, and perfect for a brunch party.

As a Jam

Guava is high in pectin, a natural substance that thickens jams. Cook the guava down with some sugar and lemon or lime juice to make a simple, delicious jam to spread on toast or add to pastries, or even to glaze meat (see below).

To Glaze Meat

Guava jam is an ideal base for a glaze to brush over cuts of meat. The jam’s sweetness brightens and balances rich, savory meats like pork and steak.

Blended Into Smoothies

Thanks to its natural sweetness, guava is a great ingredient to add to a smoothie. Blend the guava with some yogurt and a banana, and you’ve made a quick, creamy drink to start your morning.

In Cocktails

Purée the guava in a blender and strain it for a silky texture. This guava purée elevates cocktails with a sweet, tropical twist. Try one with rum, guava purée, lime juice, and orange liqueur for a bright, zingy drink. 

Frozen Into Sorbet

The same guava purée can be churned into sorbet. For a pure guava sorbet, just chill the strained guava purée, taste for sweetness (you can add a sweetener if necessary!), then churn it in an ice cream maker.

In Barbecue Sauce

Yes, guava BBQ sauce is a thing! Try adding guava purée to your homemade BBQ sauce for an unexpected, fruity rendition.