This vine, native to the Amazon area of South America, produces beautiful flowers and sweet tart fruit. It was named by Spanish missionaries who saw the Passion (suffering) of Christ represented in its flowers. The fruit is also grown in other places, including Hawaii. Passion fruit is round and about 7 cm in diameter. Its colour ranges from dark purple to light yellow. The dark skin becomes brittle and wrinkled when it's ripe. Inside, the yellowish, jelly-like pulp has a lemony, tart flavour, and contains many small, black edible seeds. The juice is used to top ice cream, other soft fruit, or in fruit drinks. Passion fruit juice may be cooked for use in sauces and fillings. The pulp makes a delicious jam or jelly, and the seeds add a unique crunchy texture. Passion fruit is high in fiber, and low in sodium. It also contains much vitamin B, C and iron. Most Hawaiians prefer the yellow variety, and it is often grown in backyard gardens there, but the vine quickly climbs trees, spreads, and becomes a pest. |
