Green Day (Gurīn Dē)

What Is Green Day?

September 14 is "Green Day" (Gurīn Dē) in Japan. It was established by Zespri International Japan, which imports and sells kiwifruit mainly from New Zealand, and is certified by the Japan Anniversary Association. It is a day to give green kiwifruit to people who have helped you, as a way of saying thank you and "please take care of your health."

Why September 14?

Zespri has also designated May 14 as "Gold Day," a day for giving gold kiwifruit. Green Day on September 14 is positioned as the day to return the favor for gifts received on Gold Day.

• May 14, "Gold Day": A day to give gold kiwifruit.
• September 14, "Green Day": A day to give green kiwifruit in return for Gold Day gifts.
• September 1, "Kiwi Day": Another Zespri anniversary, based on a wordplay reading 9-1 as "kyū-i" (kiwi).

About Green Kiwifruit

Green kiwifruit, with its bright green flesh, is the most representative kiwifruit variety. It is known as the "Hayward" variety after New Zealander Hayward Wright, who selected it, and is distributed worldwide.

• Flavor: A refreshing taste with a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
• Components: Contains dietary fiber as well as actinidin, an enzyme that breaks down protein.
• Grown in Japan: Hayward is also the main variety grown domestically, in prefectures such as Ehime, Fukuoka and Wakayama.

Kiwifruit Trivia

• Origin of the name: The fruit was named in 1959 after the kiwi, the bird that symbolizes New Zealand. Before that it was called "Chinese gooseberry."
• Chinese roots: Kiwifruit was developed in New Zealand from a plant native to China.
• Arrival in Japan: Kiwifruit began to be imported and sold in Japan around 1966.
• Mostly from New Zealand: More than 90 percent of imported kiwifruit sold in Japan is said to come from New Zealand.

Ideas for Green Day

• Give kiwifruit to someone who has helped you, as a thank-you.
• Think about a return gift for anything you received on Gold Day in May.
• Taste green and gold kiwifruit side by side.
• Add kiwifruit to your breakfast or dessert.

Gratitude and Care in a Small Fruit

Green Day on September 14 is a day to express everyday gratitude and concern for someone's health through green kiwifruit. Even a simple gift can warm someone's heart when it comes with genuine feeling.