Name - Origin
Ακτινίδιο.
It is the fruit of the Actinidia chinensis plant. It is oval in shape and has the size of a lemon and originates from China. It has a brown color and juicy flesh (Great Cyprus Encyclopedia, vol. 1, entry ακτινίδιον,το, 327). Georgios Babiniotis notes about the kiwi fruit (or Chinese gooseberry) that it is a deciduous shrub originating from China, which is cultivated for its fruit. Kiwi fruit is also defined as the small oval edible fruit of the plant of the same name with a fuzzy, green skin and juicy aromatic content (Babiniotis 2005, entry ακτινίδιο,το, 112).
Scientific name: actinidia chinensis (Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 1, kiwi ακτινίδιον,το, 327)
It is consumed fresh or dried and used in the preparation of salads. It is also made into jam and compote (Great Encyclopedia Cyprus, vol. 1, entry ακτινίδιον,το 327).
Functional and symbolic role
A characteristic of kiwi fruit is the radial arrangement of its kernels as well as its high content in vitamin C (Babiniotis 2005, entry ακτινίδιον,το, 112).
Additional information and bibliography
It was introduced in Cyprus in 1978 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 1, entry ακτινίδιον,το, 327).
Babiniotis G. (2005), Dictionary of the Modern Greek Language. With comments on the correct use of words. Interpretation, Spelling, Etymology, Synonyms-Antonyms, Main Names, Scientific Terms, Acronyms, Center for Lexicology, Athens.
Pavlides A. (ed.) (1984), Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 1, Filokypros, Nicosia.
Kyriaki Panteli, Argyro Xenophontos
Traditional Recipes
Marmelada aktinidio - kiwi Jam
A recipe for jam made with a special, sweet and sour fruit - kiwiwhich became popular in Cyprus in more recent years.