The Mexican Cream guava (a variety of Psidium guajava) is a highly regarded tropical fruit known for its intense fragrance, dessert-quality sweetness, and distinctively smooth texture. Unlike the common pink guavas often found in grocery stores, the Mexican Cream is white-fleshed and celebrated for its lack of acidity.
Here is a detailed breakdown of its characteristics:
1. Physical Characteristics
Skin: The exterior is typically a pale yellow to light green when ripe. It is often thin and delicate, sometimes developing a light red blush on the side exposed to the sun.
Flesh: The interior is creamy-white, thick, and fine-textured. It does not have the grainy or "sandy" texture found in some other guava varieties.
Size & Shape: The fruits are generally small to medium-sized (about the size of a golf ball to a tennis ball) and round to slightly oval.
Seeds: It has a relatively small seed cavity. While seeds are present, they are softer and fewer in number compared to many commercial pink varieties, making them easier to eat.
2. Flavor Profile
Taste: It is extremely sweet with almost no tartness or acidity. The flavor is complex, often described as a blend of strawberry, pineapple, and passion fruit.
Texture: As the name suggests, the texture is creamy and custard-like, similar to a soft pear or a ripe banana.
Aroma: It is exceptionally fragrant. A single ripe fruit can perfume an entire room with a floral, tropical scent.
3. Culinary Uses
Because of its high sugar content and soft texture, Mexican Cream guava is versatile in the kitchen:
Fresh Eating: It is considered one of the best varieties for eating fresh out of hand (skin and all) due to the sweet flesh and soft seeds.
Desserts: Ideal for creamy desserts like custards, ice creams, and mousses where its texture shines.
Preserves: Its natural pectin and high sugar content make it excellent for jams, jellies, and pastes (like the famous ate de guayaba).
Pairings: It pairs well with soft cheeses (like cream cheese or brie), citrus, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves.
4. Growing Information
If you are considering growing this variety, here are the key requirements:
Climate: Thrives in tropical to subtropical climates (USDA Zones 9-11). It is frost-tender and needs protection from freezing temperatures.
Sunlight: Requires full sun for maximum fruit production and sweetness.
Harvest: Fruits typically ripen in late summer through autumn. They are ready to pick when the skin turns yellow and the fruit yields slightly to the touch.
