This Far Eastern fruit vine is cultivated in garden plots located in the middle lane. As fruit crops, the most popular are the actinidia of argument and colomict. This plant is valued not only decorative, but also as a medicinal and fruit.
Kolomikta is the most frost-resistant actinidia, which is found in all regions of the country up to the latitude of the Leningrad region. The berries are green, elongated-cylindrical, soft, very delicate, sweet and sour with a pronounced pineapple flavor. The weight of the berry is from 2 to 5 g, inside contains many small seeds, when chewing imperceptible, but giving an fig or nutty flavor. Berries contain a lot of vitamin C, which is poorly lost during drying and preservation. To satisfy the daily need for this vitamin, it is enough to eat 10 g of jam or 2-3 fresh actinidia berries. In addition, this culture contains 10% sugars, up to 0.9% pectin, 1-1.5% organic acids. Finally, in the composition of actinidia there is a specific compound - actinidin, which has a beneficial effect on intestinal function.
Arguta fairly well bears fruit somewhat south of the suburbs. The berries of this culture are green, weighing 7-10 g, sweet and sour, with a banana-pineapple flavor. They include 80-100 mg of ascorbic acid, 0.28 mg of carotene, 55 mg of P-active substances.
Almost all varieties of actinidia ripen unfriendly, ripe berries fall off. Because of their delicate texture, they are practically non-transportable. Since it is difficult to distinguish ripe berries from unripe ones on the bush by color, it is necessary to collect almost every day what is poured onto kraft paper or film spread out under the vine. If you want to keep berries for several days, they are laid out in a cool room with a thin layer, while foreign odors are avoided. Actinidia berries canned in home conditions as they collect in small glass jars.
Actinidia is suitable for all types of processing, however, it is better to cook jam from it, pour the berries with syrup or dry, and then use it in the manufacture of jelly, compote, sorbet, cocktails, all kinds of drinks that differ in exquisite taste and pleasant aroma. Fresh preparations are perfectly stored in the refrigerator: berries, mashed with sugar (1: 1,5) or covered with it (1: 2).
Kiwi so common today is, in fact, also actinidia. However, unlike argut or colomict, it will grow exclusively in the southernmost regions or in closed ground.