Novice grilling enthusiasts might not know it yet, but there’s a secret to taking your backyard barbecues from ordinary to extraordinary. It’s the addition of the game-changer guava wood.
It adds a hint of sweetness and a fruity taste to your Hawaiian grills. Furthermore, it gives it an authentic tropical twist like no other.
Today, you’ll learn more about the art of grilling with guava wood chips and how to use it to elevate your barbecue experience.
What Is Guava Wood?
Guava wood comes from the tropical evergreen guava tree native to regions such as Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America.
This type of wood is commonly used in traditional Hawaiian cooking and gives a sweet, lightly fruity flavor profile to your food.
Therefore, guava wood is one of the best species to use for grilling and smoking purposes.
Sourcing Guava Wood
The first step you need to take is to look for and purchase good-quality guava wood.
Luckily, it’s widely available across the country through online retailers or specialty stores. You may even find it at your local farmer’s market.
For grilling, in general, you should aim for getting well-seasoned, untreated guava wood chunks or chips. Otherwise, you’ll need to season it before use.
Should You Soak Guava Wood Before Grilling?
Some grilling professionals prefer to soak their wood chips or chunks in water before using them for grilling.
Supposedly, doing so prolongs the smoking process and prevents wood from burning too quickly. This is especially helpful for slow smoking techniques.
However, others believe soaking wood can hinder the process of smoke production and affect the ability to control temperature.
So, in some cases, it might not be necessary to soak your guava wood before grilling.
Tips on Grilling With Guava Wood
Now that you have your guava wood ready, it’s time to fire up your grill and get cooking. Check out the following tips to help you out.
- Preheat the grill to your desired temperature before adding the wood to ensure it burns optimally and produces clean smoke.
- Use direct grilling techniques (putting food directly over the heat source) with smaller cuts of meat and other food that cooks quickly.
- For larger cuts of meat, chicken, and foods that require longer cooking time, opt for indirect grilling methods (placing the food on the opposite side of the heat).
- Season your meat with a spice rub or marinade inspired by Hawaiian cuisine, and let the flavors soak in for a few hours before grilling.
- Aim to keep the grill temperature within the optimal range, depending on the food you’re cooking.
- Experiment with different types of proteins and vegetables to enjoy the exotic flavor combinations guava wood has to offer.
- If you’re up for the challenge, try using guava wood for smoking meat, turkey, or chicken, as it’s definitely worth the try.
Final Thoughts
Grilling with guava wood adds a spectacular touch of flavor that you may not have tried before.
Such a unique flavor can compel you to try other different types of wood as a change from traditional charcoal grilling.
You just need to look for a good-quality wood supplier to ensure a satisfying grilling experience. While you’re at it, you might as well try some exotic Hawaiian recipes.
With guava wood as a secret ingredient, your Sunday barbecues will never be the same again.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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