Definition of the word kiwi fruit

The kiwi fruit, commonly known as kiwifruit, is a small, oval-shaped fruit with a fuzzy brown exterior and green flesh with black seeds. Its origin traces back to China, where it was first cultivated over a millennium ago. The kiwi fruit's scientific name is Actinidia chinensis, and it belongs to the actinidia genus of plants, which is part of the larger rose family. The fruit's indigenous name in Chinese is "ki" or "kiwaiya," which translates to "hairy fruit" because of its fuzzy exterior. The kiwi fruit's familiar name, "kiwi," originated in New Zealand in the early 20th century. When kiwifruit was first introduced to New Zealand in the 1910s, it was mistakenly identified as a small, hairy berry from China called "Chinese gooseberry." The fruit's distinctive resemblance to a native New Zealand flightless bird, the kiwi, led to its eventual renaming as the "kiwi fruit." The commercial cultivation of kiwifruit in New Zealand began in the 1950s, and it has since become a significant agricultural export for the country. Today, kiwifruit is grown in over 70 countries worldwide, with China being the largest producer followed by Italy, New Zealand, France, and Greece. In summary, the kiwi fruit got its name from New Zealand due to its physical resemblance to the national iconic bird, the kiwi. Its scientific name, Actinidia chinensis, tells us its genus and origin in China, where it has been cultivated for over a thousand years.