One of my favourite very very favourite fruits are Guavas. Raw; boiled, juiced, mushed into a cold puree - - YUMMMMMMY.
and now? they have been declared invasive aliens.

"Guavas
Psidium guajava (Guava) is a shrub or small tree of tropical American origin. It is grown commercially in the warm, frost-free parts of South Africa for its edible fruit. It is also one of the most aggressive invasive species in these regions, rivalling even Lantana camara in the coastal belt of KwaZulu-Natal and the lowveld of Mpumalanga. Its fruit is eaten by birds and mammals, who spread the seed far and wide."

They can, apparently, only be grown if a 'demarcation permit is acquired'. Nurseries may no longer sell seedlings.

I am speechless with sadness. I adore them; they are winter fruits and the season is just upon us now... prices are sky high and they are scarce; obviously farmers are switching to other crops

But joy of joys - we've just spent a long weekend in the Cedarberg region and bought a jar of koejavels (boiled guavas preserved in syrup) and I've had a bowl full with custard. That's supper. Amazing stuff but oh, the sadness if this were the last time I can lay my hands on this glorious fruit.



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