SunGold Kiwi - Zespri has the scientific name Actinidia chinensis and belongs to the Actinidiaceae family. It is a golden kiwifruit variety developed and commercialized in New Zealand through Zespri’s breeding program in partnership with Plant & Food Research. Zespri SunGold was licensed to selected New Zealand growers in 2010 and subsequently became one of Zespri’s major golden kiwifruit products.
Characteristic Features
The fruit is oval or elongated, medium in size and relatively uniform in shape. The stem should be firm and free from breakage or deterioration.
The skin ranges from golden-brown to copper-brown, with a relatively smooth surface and very short, sparse hairs that are considerably less noticeable than those of green kiwifruit.
The flesh is bright yellow to golden yellow, with a white to pale-yellow central core surrounded by numerous small black seeds.
Fruit at suitable maturity should have intact skin and flesh that gives slightly to gentle pressure while remaining juicy and neither excessively hard nor overly soft. It should be free from cracking, deep bruising, juice leakage or signs of fermentation.
Acceptable raw material should be fresh, firm and intact, without bruising, decay, mold or abnormal odors. The flesh should not be excessively darkened, mushy or watery.
Flavor & Texture
The flesh is soft, smooth and juicy. It has a distinctly sweet flavor, light tropical fruit notes and relatively low acidity, giving it a mild and pleasant eating profile. The small seeds provide a slight crunch. Good-quality fruit should not have excessive sourness, bitterness or fermented odors.
Uses and Applications
Used for fresh consumption after washing and peeling.
Can be used in ready-to-eat fruit portions, fruit salads and desserts.
Can be sliced or cut into pieces for decoration and combined with yogurt, cereals, nuts and other fruits.
Can also be used as an ingredient for smoothies, juices and other fruit-based preparations.
Nutritionally, Zespri SunGold kiwifruit is rich in vitamin C and also provides dietary fiber, natural carbohydrates, vitamin E, potassium and various antioxidant compounds. Zespri identifies SunGold as a high-vitamin-C fruit.
