Guava was adopted as a crop in subtropical and tropical Asia, parts of the United States (from Tennessee and North Carolina, southward, as well as the west and Hawaii), tropical Africa, and Oceania. Archaeological sites in Peru yielded evidence of guava cultivation as early as 2500 BCE.

Guavas originated from an area thought to extend from Mexico, Central America or northern South America throughout the Caribbean region. It has been adapted in many European and Asian languages, having a similar form. The name derived from the Taíno, a language of the Arawaks as guayabo for guava tree via the Spanish for guayaba. The term guava appears to have been in use since the mid- 16th century. littorale Strawberry guava, Psidium littorale var. Etymology Yellow-fruited cherry guava, (sometimes called lemon guava) Psidium littorale var. The flowers are white, with five petals and numerous stamens. Guavas are typical Myrtoideae, with tough dark heavy leaves that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate, and 5–15 centimetres (2–6 in) long. The most frequently eaten species, and the one often simply referred to as 'the guava', is the apple guava ( Psidium guayava). Types Apple guava ( Psidium guayava) flower In 2019, 55 million tonnes of guavas were produced worldwide, led by India with 45% of the total. The name guava is also given to some other species in the genus Psidium such as strawberry guava ( Psidium cattleyanum) and to the pineapple guava, Feijoa sellowiana. The common guava Psidium guajava (lemon guava, apple guava) is a small tree in the myrtle family ( Myrtaceae), native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. Guava ( / ˈ ɡ w ɑː v ə/) is a common tropical fruit cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions. †Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.

A guava nectar