Misleading

It is interesting how we (mis)appropriate names of things to suit our own wishes.

The final word of that sentence was going to be 'needs', but in the true sense of that word few things are appropriated because we actually need to do so. It is more likely to be related to ego, wealth accumulation, marketing (however informal) and branding.

In the world of NZ horticulture, there are several examples. The most well known is probably that global phenomenon, the Kiwifruit, which didn't originate from New Zealand at all. 

It is a fruit native to what is now China, and was first grown in this country in the early 1900s thanks to a school teacher coming home with some seeds in her luggage. (She wouldn't get away with that these days.) 

Once they became widespread here they became known as Chinese Gooseberries, because of their furry green skins and their sharp flavour - and nothing to do with the Grossulariaceae family, to which true gooseberries belong.

The produce export company Turners and Growers found that hoping to market Chinese Gooseberries to the USA at the height of the Cold War was a near impossibility, so on 15th June 1959 they were officially renamed Kiwifruit.

These days New Zealand supplies 50% of the world's Kiwifruit: an industry worth $2 billion to this country. 

Ironically one of the biggest importers is...China.

Interesting as this may be, it is a bit of a digression from today's Blip, which is of New Zealand Cranberries. 

I have several bushes which I hope one day will create a low hedge, and which currently produce a modest crop of 500g a year.

You may guess from the preamble that New Zealand Cranberries are not in fact native to New Zealand. You would be right. They originate from Chile. And nor are they from the Ericaceae family to which real cranberries belong. They are in fact a variety of guava, and are more correctly called Chilean Guavas. 

Presumably somebody trying to sell the plants, or the fruit decided they were more marketable as New Zealand Cranberries. 

However, unlike Kiwifruit the change in name didn't spell global domination, nor even national favour. They are regarded as a novelty fruit, and are only occasionally to be seen in shops. 

I love the flavour, which has been described as a combination of strawberry, pineapple and apple. It is certainly something like that. And despite the photo showing huge fruit, they are in fact smaller than peas (and are therefore slow and fiddly to harvest).

Jam is my preferred way to eat them, although they are a lovely surprising addition to muffins and scones. If I ever grow a full hedge, and therefore pick substantially more than 500g each autumn, I shall be more adventurous in their culinary uses.

I hope you've been taking notes? The end of year exam is looming...