Guava vs. Guayaba — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
Guava is the English term for the tropical fruit, while guayaba is the Spanish term for the same fruit.
Difference Between Guava and Guayaba
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Key Differences
Guava refers to the common term in English for the tropical fruit from the Psidium genus, known for its sweet, fragrant aroma. This fruit is eaten fresh or used in cooking and is a rich source of Vitamin C.
Guayaba, on the other hand, is the Spanish word for guava. In countries where Spanish is spoken, "guayaba" is the term predominantly used for this fruit. It is identical to the guava and shares the same uses in culinary contexts and has the same nutritional properties.
In the culinary world, the term guava is often associated with various dishes and beverages in English-speaking countries. The fruit is versatile, used in recipes ranging from sweet to savory.
Guayaba in Spanish-speaking countries carries the same culinary flexibility. It is a staple in many traditional dishes, used in desserts like pastelitos de guayaba, as well as in beverages.
While guava is used globally in English-speaking markets, including in product labeling and recipes, guayaba is used in the same context within Spanish-speaking regions, ensuring cultural and linguistic accuracy.
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Comparison Chart
Language
English
Spanish
Usage in Cuisine
Same as guayaba
Same as guava
Etymology
Derived from Arawak ‘guayabo’
Spanish adaptation of the word guava
Cultural Association
English-speaking countries
Spanish-speaking countries
Pronunciation
/ˈgwɑː.və/
/ɡwaˈʝaβa/
Compare with Definitions
Guava
A guava is a tropical fruit with green skin and pink flesh.
She added fresh guava to the fruit salad for a tropical twist.
Guayaba
Las guayabas se utilizan comúnmente en jaleas y mermeladas.
La mermelada de guayaba es su favorita para el desayuno.
Guava
Guavas have a distinctive sweet and slightly tart flavor.
The ripe guava had a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
Guayaba
Las hojas de guayaba se usan para hacer té medicinal.
Mi abuela preparaba un té con hojas de guayaba para la tos.
Guava
Guavas are often used in jellies and jams.
The guava jelly won first prize at the county fair.
Guayaba
La guayaba es una fruta tropical con cáscara verde y pulpa rosada.
Ella hizo un batido con guayaba fresca esta mañana.
Guava
Guava () is a common tropical fruit cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions. Psidium guajava (common guava, lemon guava) is a small tree in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America.
Guayaba
El guayabo es un arbusto perenne originario de América.
Hay un guayabo que crece al lado de su casa en México.
Guava
An edible, pale orange tropical fruit with pink juicy flesh and a strong sweet aroma.
Guayaba
La guayaba tiene un sabor distintivamente dulce y ligeramente ácido.
La guayaba que probé en el mercado estaba perfectamente madura.
Guava
The small tropical American tree which bears guavas.
Guayaba
(uncommon) The guava (tree or fruit).
Guava
Any of various tropical American shrubs and trees of the genus Psidium, especially P. guajava, widely cultivated for its edible fruit, having greenish skin and sweet white or pink flesh.
Guava
The fruit of this plant.
Guava
A tropical tree or shrub of the myrtle family, Psidium guajava.
Guava
Its yellowish tropical fruit, 1¼ to 2 inches, globular or pear-shaped with thin, yellow, green or brown skin, is often made into jams and jellies. The meat is yellowish or pale green to pink in color.
Guava
A medium reddish-pink colour, like that of guava flesh (also called guava pink).
Guava
A tropical tree, or its fruit, of the genus Psidium. Two varieties are well known, the P. pyriferum, or white guava, and P. pomiferum, or red guava. The fruit or berry is shaped like a pomegranate, but is much smaller. It is somewhat astringent, but makes a delicious jelly.
Guava
Small tropical shrubby tree bearing small yellowish fruit
Guava
Small tropical American shrubby tree; widely cultivated in warm regions for its sweet globular yellow fruit
Guava
Tropical fruit having yellow skin and pink pulp; eaten fresh or used for e.g. jellies
Guava
The guava tree is an evergreen shrub native to the Americas.
A guava tree was flourishing in their Florida backyard.
Guava
Guava leaves are also used for medicinal teas.
He brewed some guava leaves to help soothe his cold.
Common Curiosities
What is guayaba?
Guayaba is the Spanish term for the fruit guava.
Are guava and guayaba the same fruit?
Yes, they refer to the same fruit in different languages.
Can you eat the skin of a guava/guayaba?
Yes, the skin of guava/guayaba is edible.
Is guava good for your health?
Guava is high in vitamins C and A, fiber, and antioxidants.
What is guava?
Guava is a tropical fruit known for its edible rind and sweet flesh.
Where is guayaba commonly grown?
Guayaba is commonly grown in Latin America and other Spanish-speaking regions.
What dishes use guava?
Guava is used in desserts, smoothies, sauces, and more.
How do you eat guayaba?
Guayaba can be eaten raw, made into jellies, or used in cooking.
Where is guava commonly grown?
Guava is grown in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
What dishes use guayaba?
Guayaba is used similarly to guava in desserts and beverages.
Can you make tea with guayaba leaves?
Yes, guayaba leaves are used to make tea in many cultures.
Is guava available year-round?
In tropical climates, guava can often be found throughout the year.
Can guava leaves be used for anything?
Yes, guava leaves can be brewed into tea for medicinal purposes.
Is guayaba available year-round?
Availability can vary, but in its native regions, it's often year-round.
How do you store guava/guayaba?
Guava/guayaba should be stored at room temperature until ripe and then refrigerated.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
