TropiCali fruit

While they aren’t strictly “local,” as in near Sacramento, guavas do grow in California. They’re a subtropical fruit, which means they can stand a bit of cool weather compared to their tropical cousins. Most of us think “orange” when we think of guavas—especially if we’ve eaten guava paste (great with cheese!). There are more than 100 varieties of guava, though, including a newer White Malaysian variety that has been used for sorbet. The distinctly floral flavor of guavas makes for a taste of summer, even while we Californians shiver through our mild winter.