The guava (Psidium guajava) is the intensely fragrant fruit of a small tropical tree in the myrtle family — round to pear-shaped, with thin green-to-yellow skin and sweet-tart flesh that may be white, pink or deep red and is studded with small, hard, edible seeds. Its musky, floral perfume can fill a room from across the house, and the fruit is eaten fresh, juiced, and cooked down into the firm paste known as guava cheese or goiabada.