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The kiwifruit, native to northern China, first arrived in New Zealand at the turn of the 20th century; it was then known as the Chinese Gooseberry.
When the time came to export the fruit, to avoid the high duties charged on berries, the name was changed to the kiwifruit.
It was nicknamed kiwifruit because of the shared characteristics with New Zealand's national symbol, the kiwi bird, which is also small, brown, and fuzzy. Kiwis are a nutrient-dense food, meaning that they are high in nutrients and low in calories.
The possible health benefits of consuming kiwis include maintaining healthy skin tone and texture, reducing blood pressure, and preventing heart disease and stroke.
FAST FACTS ON KIWI FRUIT:
Kiwifruit is technically considered a berry.
Purported health benefits include better sleep and skin health.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation for the United Nations (FAO), China is the top producer, growing over 1.8 million tonnes in 2014.
An average kiwifruit contains just 54 calories.
