Actinidia fruit - kiwifruit to most of us - in general are very high in vitamin C. Actinidia deliciosa, the common green kiwifruit, is the most important vitamin C source on the market at the moment. The yellow fleshed kiwifruit (also called gold kiwifruit), Actinidia chinensis, cv.'Jia' as a somewhat soon to be available commercial fruit, has tested even higher in ascorbic acid, and the gold kiwifruit variety launched under the brand Zespri Gold™ is also 'said to be' higher in vitamin C. The small grape-sized kiwifruit, Actinidia arguta, are right up there with their big relatives in vitamin C richness, as well as being ideal for childrens no-fuss snacks. Actinidia kolomikta has quite extraordinary amounts of vitamin C, but it doesn't seem to be as suitable a commercial crop. Some species of kiwifruit have nothing short of spectacular vitamin C levels, but are generally inedible. Plant breeding may incorporate these very high levels in a commercial fruit at some time in the distant future.

Actinidia arguta are the only other commercially available kiwifruit at this time, and these small, smooth skinned, grape-sized fruit are usually sold as 'baby kiwifruit' or 'grape kiwifruit'. Some varieties of arguta, particularly 'Issai', have exceptionally high amounts of vitamin C, on a weight for weight basis rivalling some of the quite outstanding yellow fleshed Actinidia chinensis varieties.

The well known standard supermarket  green kiwifruit will have a yellow fleshed form alongside it in future years. This fruit is a seperate species, with smooth hairless skin, distinctive taste, finer flesh, and an even higher vitamin C content than the already magnificent green fleshed kiwi. The yellow fleshed form is more difficult to grow, and it will not appear in much quantity for a long time, if ever.

The variablity in vitamin C content amongst the Actinidia deliciosa and A. chinensis (A. chinensis is much more common) is illustrated by a survey done by the Hunan Agricultural Institute - about a quarter had less than 100mg vitamin C content/100gms flesh, about a quarter had more than  200mg/100gms, and a few plants had an astonishing more than 400mg/100 grams. A typical supermarket green kiwifruit weighs a bit more 100 grams or so, and has, depending on the season and length of coolstorage, around 74 grams of vitamin C in that fruit. The fruit surveyed would have been probably only a quarter the size of the average supermarket kiwifruit; but the potential is there for the plant breeders to breed a kiwi with four times the existing vitamin C levels!

All values in the chart below are rounded to the nearest whole number. Exactly half a milligram is rounded up, not down.
Note: Actinidia chinensis has yellow flesh
         Actinidia deliciosahas green flesh. (A. deliciosa used to be called A. chinensis! It is now re-classified)

 

Actinidia Species	Cultivar     (variety)	mg vit C/100 grams	mg vitamin C per average size fruit	Ranking	Notes
arguta	Ananasnaya	39, 42	4	*very good	An A.kolomikta cv. has this name as well.  Data from 2 years  [1]
arguta	Ananasnaya	79	7	*excellent	[18] based on an 8.7 gram fruit weight & 2 year average for ascorbic acid
arguta	Issai	148, 163	15	*exceptional	May be an inter-species hybrid.  Data from 2 years  [1]
arguta	Weiki	81	6	*excellent	[18] based on a 7.6 gram fruit weight & 2 year average for ascorbic acid
arguta	Dunbarton Oaks	60, 76	7	*excellent	Data from 2 years  [1]
arguta	74-75	66, 100	8	*excellent	Data from 2 years  [1]
arguta	Geneva	59, 71	7	*excellent	Data from 2 years  [1]
arguta	Geneva	88	5	*excellent	[18] based on a 5.7 gram fruit size
arguta	Fairchilde	50	5	*very good	[1]
arguta	Jumbo	75	8	*excellent	[18] based on an 11 gram fruit size
arguta	wild	84, 94, 18, 140, 157, 157, 165	12-average 2 to 102 - range	*good  to *exceptional	[6]
arguta	wild	19-96	2 to 10	*good to *excellent	[7]
arguta	various genotypes	37-151	2 to 9	*good to *excellent	[17] based on an average 6 gram fruit weight
chinensis	Jia	165	99	exceptional	[1]
chinensis	Qing Yuan #6	140	38	**exceptional	[2] probable chinensis
chinensis	Huang Yan	171	37	**exceptional	[2] probable chinensis
chinensis	Long Quan #3	100	31	**exceptional	[2] probable chinensis
chinensis	Hort16A	120 to 180	108 to 162	exceptional	[9] ? conjecture - see reference 'Zespri Gold™' brand
chinensis	Hort16A	104	104	exceptional	19] based on a 104 gram fruit size [19]
chinensis	Sanuki Gold	206	341	exceptional	[19] based on a 166 gram fruit size [19]
deliciosa	Jiangxi 79-1	74	74	exceptional	19] based on a ~100 gram fruit size [19]
deliciosa	Golden King	144	197	exceptional	19] based on a 137 gram fruit size [19]
chinensis	?wild types	145	33	**exceptional	[3] fruit weight guestimated at 22 gms
chinensis	?wild types	38, 55, 75, 99, 180	fruit weight data missing	excellent to exceptional	[3] possibly unselected wild types
chinensis	seedlings	40 to 300	fruit weight data missing	excellent to exceptional	[1] unselected seedlings
chinensis	Kuimi	157	157	exceptional	19] based on a ~100 gram fruit size [19]
deliciosa	Hayward	98	74	exceptional	USDA database. 'The' kiwifruit
deliciosa	Hayward	90 to110	100	exceptional	[5] based on a 100 gram size fruit
deliciosa	Hayward	80 to 120	80 to 120	exceptional	[9] based on a 100 gram size fruit
deliciosa	Hayward	81	81	exceptional	[10] based on a 100 gram size fruit
deliciosa	Hayward	66	66	exceptional	[12] based on a 100 gram size fruit
deliciosa	Bruno	140 to 160	140 to 160	exceptional	[5] based on a ~100 gram size fruit [19]
deliciosa	Bruno	300	300	exceptional	[8] based on a ~100 gram size fruit [19]
deliciosa	Bruno	120	120	exceptional	[10] error is plus or minus 25 mg based on a ~100 gram size fruit [19]
deliciosa	Bruno	80	80	exceptional	[19] based on a ~80 gram size fruit [19]
deliciosa	Abbot	70 to 90	56 to 89	exceptional	[5] based on a ~80 gram size fruit [19]
deliciosa	Abbot	29	23	very good	[19] based on a ~80 gram size fruit [19]
deliciosa	?	126	fruit weight data missing	exceptional	[3]
deliciosa	Elmwood	47	55	exceptional	based on a 116 gram size fruit [19]
deliciosa	Koryoku	40	40	excellent	based on a ~100 gram size fruit [19]
deliciosa	unselected seedling	300	66	exceptional	[4] from 'small fruited' type Guestimate based on 22 gram fruit
callosa var. discolor	wild	13	fruit weight data missing	good	[3]
callosa var. henryi	wild	20	fruit weight data missing	very good	[3]
chrysantha	wild	72	fruit weight data missing	excellent	[3]
cylindrica	wild	9	fruit weight data missing	-	[3]
eriantha	wild	1,014	fruit weight data missing	*exceptional	[3] slightly unpalatable
eriantha	wild	195-1060	40 - 212	*exceptional	[14] (based on 20 gram fruit. Actual range is 15-20 gms)
farinosa	wild	16	fruit weight data missing	good	[3]
fulvicoma	wild	16	fruit weight data missing	good	[3]
fulvicoma var. lanata	wild	34	fruit weight data missing	very good	[3]
indochinensis	wild	17	fruit weight data missing	good	[3]
indochinensis	wild	13	fruit weight data missing	good	[3] further sample
kolomikta	wild	890	31	*exceptional	[6] average of four years. Based on 3.5 gram fruit
kolomikta	wild	773, 831, 923, 1070, 1102	27-38	*exceptional	[6] different plants, sampled on the same day at the same location. Based on 3.5 gram fruit
kolomikta	Pavlovskaja	791	24	*exceptional	[16] Based on 3 gram fruit
kolomikta	-	800	28	*exceptional	[1] Based on 3.5 gram fruit
kolomikta	-	1,000	35	*exceptional	[8] Based on 3.5 gram fruit
kolomikta	Kolas #17	1,520	71	*exceptional	[11] Based on 4.7 gram fruit
kolomikta	VIR –1	1,165	23.2	*exceptional	[15] Based on 2 gram fruit
latifolia	wild	880	fruit weight data missing	exceptional	[3]
latifolia	wild	374	fruit weight data missing	exceptional	[3] further sample
lianguangensis	wild	10	fruit weight data missing	-	[3]
melliana	wild	45	fruit weight data missing	excellent	[3]
polygama	wild	103 to 255	fruit weight data missing	exceptional	[7]

Any variety that gives from about 15 milligrams to about 30 milligrams can be considered a 'very good' source of vitamin C

When a variety has more than about 30 milligrams per serving, it is an 'excellent' source of Vitamin C.

Any fruit that delivers more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C - 60mg - is 'exceptional', at least in my view!

The standard market 'large green fleshed kiwifruit', Actindia deliciosa  is an excellent source of vitamin C

Regarding commercially available kiwifruit, the new yellow fleshed kiwifruit, Actindia chinensis, cv. 'Jia' (with the Zespri brand being the only one actually on the market at this moment possibly also having a good content, although I have no data on it)  is an outstanding source of vitamin C. There is no doubt that it is the absolute best source of natural vitamin C of any near commercial fruit for the market, in terms of overall palatability, quantity likely to be eaten, and concentration of ascorbic acid.

 * for small fruited species, typically 10-15 grams, it is assumed that the average person would eat half a dozen or so, (the rough equivalent of a medium-small 'Hayward' cv.A. deliciosa) so the individual fruit vitamin C content is multiplied by 6, and that figure used as the basis for deciding it's ranking into 'very good', 'excellent', etc. (Actinidia kolomikta falls within the smallest of the very smalls, with 'small fruited' cultivars such as VIR –1 being about 2 grams or less, and 'large cultivars' such
Paukstes Sakarva and Kolas #17 being greater than 3 grams [16]. Due to their small size, a 'serving' might be 10 or so fruit. Actinidia arguta cultivars range in weight from around 5 grams to 10 grams [18]. )

** for smallish species, those within an average fruit weight of 20- 30 grams, more or less, it is assumed the average person would eat 2, and the fruit vitamin C content is doubled to arrive at the ranking.

Measuring Vitamin C in Kiwifruit

The method used in the 1980's in New Zealand was outlined by Ferguson A.R.& MacRae in 1988 (ref).

"Three sample lots are taken, with 15 fruit in each sample. A section from each fruit (about a sixth) is taken, and all sections are homogenised together in a Waring Blendor in a concentrated solution of hexametaphosphate and acetic acid. As ascorbic acid is a strong reducing agent, filtered aliquots from the homogenate are titrated against a colored indicator dye which changes color as is is reduced by the ascorbic acid. This method was found to give a reliable estimate of the vitamin C content of any 'batch' of fruit under consideration."

Links

 The vitamin C site discusses everything about vitamin C. It is fair to say that it is 'pro vitamin C'!
Growing kiwifruit species in warmer areas
Growing 'winter hardy' kiwifruit
Picture - Actinidia eriantha fruit

[1] Data from C. Kempler, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agassiz, BC, Canada
[2] From an article in the T.S. Chang, NZ Journal of Agriculture, April 1982
[3] From Huang, Z.-F., Liang, M.-Y., Huang, G.-G. and Li, R.-G. 'A preliminary study of the character and nutritive composition of Actinidia fruits.' Guihaia 3 (1) (1983): 50-53, 56, as reported as reported by K.J. Nobbs in 'Actinidia Enthusiasts Newsletter', #3, June 1986.
[4] Randoin and Boisselot (1941, 1945) as reported in 'Actinidia Enthusiasts Newsletter', #3, June 1986.
[5] New Zealand (former) Department of Scientific and Industrial Research,  tests as quoted by K.J.Nobbs in 'The kiwifruit has some relatives and they could be as good', NZ Gardener magazine (?early 1980's)
[6] From Kolbasina E.I., 'Wild growing Actinidia of Sakhalin and Khuril Islands as source breeding material in breeding for vitamin C'. Sbornik Trudov aspiraantov i Molodykh Nauchnykh Sotrudnikov, Leningrad 17 (1970): 478-48, as reported by K.J. Nobbs in 'Actinidia Enthusiasts Newsletter', #3, June 1986.
[7] Shubert N.E., 'Actinidia kolomikta as a source of vitamin C'. Trudy po Priklladnoi Botanike, Genetike i Selektsii 84 (1937): 149-159  as reported by K.J. Nobbs in 'Actinidia Enthusiasts Newsletter', #3, June 1986.
[8] 'Kiwifruit: Science and Management' by Warrington and Weston
[9] Hort+Research, The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Limited, Pers. comm August 1999. Based on 'about 50% more than Hayward'-whose range was quoted as 80-1120mg/100grams. Hort 16A - Uncertain whether ex coolstore or directly fresh picked without storage; uncertain whether actually tested or 'supposed' on the basis of other Chinensis cultivars. Pers comm July 2000, this looks increasingly like an unsubstantiated guesstimated figure. No published data set has been referred to.
[10] Visser F.R., & Burrows J.K. 1983 'Composition of New Zealand Foods - 1. Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables'. DSIR Bulletin 235. Wellington. Page 35.
[11] Jan Kolas pers comm July 2001 and may 2009. Selected from open pollinated seedlings of Michurin's cv. 'Klary Zetkin'. The fruit are larger than most 'hardy kiwifruit'. Further information on availability of the plant are obtainable from the breeder. Average fruit weight is 4.7 grams.
[12] Nishiyama, I. et al..2004. 'Varietal Difference in Vitamin C Content in the Fruit of Kiwifruit and Other Actinidia Species.'
J. Agric. Food Chem., 52 (17), 5472 - 5475
[13] Ferguson A.R.& MacRae E.A. 1992. 'Vitamin C in Actinidia.'
Acta Hort. (ISHS) 297:481-488
[14] Ferguson A.R.& MacRae E.A. 1988. 'Vitamin C lasts the distance'
Growing Today, August/September 1988. pp 19 - 20.

[15] Chesoniene L. 'Comparison of some biological features and fruiting potential of Actinidia Kolomikta cultivars'
ISHS Acta Horticulturae 538: Eucarpia symposium on Fruit Breeding and Genetics

[16] Chesoniene L, Viskelis P. 2007. 'Evaluation of Fruiting Potential and Berry Quality of Kolomikta Kiwi Actinidia kolomikta.'
Scientific Works of the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture and Lithuanian University of Agriculture. Sodininkyste Ir Darzininkyste. 26:3.

[17] Nishiyama I, Yamashita Y, Yamanaka M, Shimohashi A, Fukuda T. 2004. 'Varietal difference in vitamin
C content in the fruit of kiwifruit and other Actinidia species.
J. Agric. Food Chem. 52/17: pp 5472–5475.

[18] Latocha, P. 2007. 'The comparison of some biological features of Actinidia arguta cultivars fruit'
Ann. Warsaw Univ. of Life Sc. – SGGW, Horticult. and Landsc. Architect. 28.

[19] Nishiyama, Ichiro. 2007. 'Fruits of the Actinidia genus',  
in 'Advances in Food and Nutrition Research': Volume 52
Editor Steve L. Taylor
Academic  Press, 2007. pp. 293–324

Other references
Ferguson, A R, & MacRae, E A. 1991. 'Vitamin C in Actinidia.'
Acta Horticulturae. 1991. Vol 297. p 481-487.

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