Lauren’s First Guava Harvest
For something so closely tied to Hawaii, guava, like so many of the islands’ plants, isn’t from here. It’s native to Mexico and Central America, and it arrived with early traders and settlers in the 1800s. Hawaii’s warm, wet climate suited it so well that it spread on its own. Today it grows wild along roadsides and in gulches on every island, and is even considered invasive in some areas.
But planted on purpose, guava earns its place. Guava trees are prolific, and the fruit can be eaten straight off the tree and has more vitamin C than an orange. Its gorgeous dark pink color is a feast for the eyes, and its juice, jelly, jam, paste, and pie are staples in Hawaii kitchens.
Gia’s grandfather was born in Hilo, and even when he moved to the mainland, the islands stayed a part of their lives. Gia’s grandmother, Betsey, loved guava juice and it was on her breakfast table whenever she could get it, which was usually only when they were visiting Hawaii.
Guava jelly was a fixture, too.
In 2022, when it was time to plant the orchard at Kapunaiki, Gia’s mother, Lauren, found a prized variety of guava at Frankie’s Nursery in Waimanalo, planted two baby guavas in honor of her mother and proclaimed that she was going to make and sell Kapunaiki branded Guava Jelly someday.
The variety we planted is Ruby Supreme, developed in Hawaii with a sweet, deep pink flesh. The skin stays green-yellow even when the fruit is ripe, and it has a thin ring of soft seeds in the center. It’s a good eating guava, so most of us take a bite right off the tree.
We had our first big harvest this August, and Lauren finally got to make the jelly she grew up on. Of the 12 jars she made: 6 went to local Aunties and Uncles, and 6 went to airport security.😭
Next year we’re hoping to produce twice as much Kapunaiki Guava Jelly and have it available for mail order.
Sign up for our Guava List for next year but dropping us an email info@kapunaikiainafarms.com.
Better yet, come visit us in August, eat as much as you want, and join Lauren in making “Tutu’s Famous Guava Jelly.”