Do you 'Kiwi'?

I'm a sucker for marketing, in college I used to buy a certain fruit-yogurt-milkish combination drink simply because I liked the packaging. The shape of the container was curvy (yes, guys are suckers for all curves) and easy to grasp and the colors were tremendous giving the appearance that the fruit was bursting with flavor out of it's tightly held plastic barrier. However, I couldn't stand the drink. Rarely did I actually finish one, it upset my stomach and just tasted like a weird concoction that had sat unrefrigerated for too long and was slowly churning in my stomach. Still, week after week I would find myself with lunch tray in hand awaiting my choice of beverage transfixed in front of it's cooler and yes, I would buy another, and another. So last summer when I was at my local Sendik's grocer er greeted by a pleasant looking display merchandiser wearing a bright yellow/green fluorescent shirt handing me a 'Gold Kiwi' I was more then happy to partake and happy am I still, a year later, that I did.

Her marketing message was concise, "Eat one of these and you will have the equivalent of eating one banana, 2 oranges and a bowl of bran cereal". Now I have already begun my attempt at purifying my quickly aging body from the first 30 years of abuse so I was already open to eating something healthy, but the taste is what will truly bring you back again and again. The Gold Kiwi does not taste like your typical kiwi. It tastes sweeter and less acidic and it is also easier to eat. Simply cut the kiwi in half and scoop out with a spoon. Unlike a regular Kiwi which can have a hard core, the Gold Kiwi has a soft core which is very easy to cut through and eat. However, if you truly want to get the maximum amount of health benefits eat the skin as well.I find it strange that you most often see Kiwi used as a garnish on top of a fruit or leaf salad but rarely do you see Kiwi placed by themselves for the taking, because with their health benefits they are usually more healthy than the salad they are placed on top of. Vitamin C, fiber and potassium are a given but did you know:

-Kiwi is a high source of Alpha-Linolenic Acid (an Omega-3 fatty acid) and greater source then the more popular Flax-Seed

-Kiwi can act as a blood thinner - simular to Aspirin therapy - a few kiwi daily may thin the blood, ultimately reducing the overall risk of clots and lowers the fat content in the blood that can cause blockages (leading to Vascular Disease and Stroke risk)

-Kiwi contain a high amount of Luiten and Zeaxanthin (you can gauge the concentrations of these carotenoids by the color of the fruit or vegetable they are found in - they give a yellow or green pigmentation) Luiten and Zeaxanthin consumption have been found to decrease risk of Macular Degeneration

You can see why Kiwi are so much more then a garnish. The taste may lead you but the long-term health benefits are what should keep you coming back for more. But act fast, the Gold Kiwi are only available during our summer months (unless you live in New Zealand) and I have only found them at Sendik's Food Market.I hope you enjoy them as much as I and believe me, you'll feel better for it.

For further information see: http://www.zespri.com/