Guava
Here’s a list of fruits that resemble guava in either their outer appearance (shape, color, texture) or inner structure (seeds, flesh, aroma). These fruits can easily be mistaken for guava at a glance or even when sliced open:
1. Feijoa (Pineapple Guava)
Feijoa is a small, oval green fruit with grainy, aromatic flesh and a jelly-like seed center—much like guava. It even smells similar to guava and is often called pineapple guava, though it’s a different species.
2. Psidium species (Guava relatives)
There are many guava cousins within the Psidium genus—such as strawberry guava and lemon guava—that look very much like common guava in both size and shape, often with different skin colors and flavor nuances.
3. Abiu (Pouteria caimito)
Abiu is an oval or round yellow fruit with smooth skin and a soft, translucent pulp. Its size and outer appearance are close to some guava varieties, especially the yellow or lemon guavas. When sliced, the creamy interior and central seed placement may remind one of a guava—but the texture is much smoother and jelly-like.
4. Java Apple (Syzygium samarangense)
Also called rose apple or wax apple, the Java apple can resemble larger guava varieties in its pear-like shape and smooth skin. Some green or pale pink types look very similar to green guava, especially when they are young and uncut. Once opened, though, the crisp, watery flesh quickly sets it apart.
5. Unripe Egg Fruit (Pouteria campechiana)
Egg fruit, also known as canistel, has a rounded to oval shape and can be about the size of a guava. When unripe, its green skin and firm feel can make it look similar to guava. However, as it ripens, it turns yellow and reveals a dense, custard-like flesh very different from guava’s grainy interior.
6. Quince (Cydonia oblonga)
Quinces are often round or slightly pear-shaped with light green to yellow skin, similar in color and size to a ripe guava. While the dense, aromatic flesh is firmer and less juicy, the overall look and fragrance can be guava-like—particularly the yellow varieties.
7. Passionfruit (when unripe)
Unripe green passionfruits can look similar to guava on the outside, especially the round varieties. Once cut open, the differences become obvious, but the exterior shape and firmness are comparable.
8. White Sapote
This tropical fruit is round to oval with greenish-yellow skin, resembling a large guava. The flesh is soft and creamy, and though it lacks guava’s gritty texture, it can look similar when unripe or whole.
9. Ambarella (June Plum)
When green and unripe, ambarella can be mistaken for a guava due to its green, slightly textured skin and similar size. However, it’s firmer, with a fibrous, sour flesh that is very different from guava’s.
10. Hog Plum (Spondias mombin)
This small, green to yellow fruit resembles guava in its oval shape and firm skin, especially in its early stages. It’s more fibrous inside, but can easily be mistaken for guava when whole.