In the early nineteenth century, British scientists studying the flora and fauna of New Zealand decided to name a flightless bird they found there the apteryx, an ugly Greek name meaning wingless. Luckily, however, the British settlers of New Zealand took to calling the bird by its much more mellifluous Maori name, kiwi, which in the early twentieth century became a slang name for the New Zealanders themselves; fifty years later, in 1963, kiwi also became the name of a fuzzy, green fruit that had flourished in New Zealand since being introduced to that island in 1906. Before acquiring the name kiwi, the fruit had been called the Chinese gooseberry, the Chang Kiang Valley of China being its place of origin. The name was changed to kiwi, however, for marketing reasons: it was thought that associating the fruit with New Zealanders and their famous bird would boost sales in North America.
This particular fruit boasts an oval shape, measuring around 2½ to 3½ inches in length. Its exterior is coated in a brown, furry skin, with a delicate green interior. Originally hailing from China, this fruit has been grown in New Zealand since 1906. Due to its bird-like physical resemblance, it was named after the kiwi bird and became synonymous with the country. The striking coloration of the kiwi’s flesh and its intricate arrangement of minuscule seeds make it a favored ingredient in fresh fruit tarts.