What makes the passion fruit, which you will know as a passion fruit, so fascinating is not only the meaning of the names by which it is called. It is a food that comes from afar, but that you can now easily find even in Europe: it has an exotic and unmistakable flavor, which today is exploited in many recipes, from desserts to drinks. But that's not all, because its health properties are also really interesting.
Valentina Rorato • April 3, 2024 * Last modified on 04/04/2024
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Passion fruit, also known as passion fruit, passion fruit, or granadilla, is the fruit of passionflower. It is native to Brazil but is now also cultivated in many other areas of the world: not only South America, but even in Africa, Asia and New Zealand, in all those countries characterized by a tropical or subtropical climate. As a result, it is rather easy to find it in Italy as well. It is small to medium in size, with a round or oval shape and its outer skin is compact and smooth, ranging in color from vibrant purple or deep brown to bright yellow. Some varieties also feature a color scheme, creating a colorful exterior. Inside, it encloses a juicy pulp full of edible seeds. It is typically bright yellow or orange in color, with a gel-like consistency. Its flavor is an exquisite blend of sweet and tart notes, often described as a tropical burst of spicy pleasure.
It comes in a variety of varieties, each offering a unique combination of flavours and appearances, but there are two commercially known varieties:
Purple passion fruit (passiflora edulis): characterized by its deep purple or brown outer skin. The pulp is aromatic, spicy and sweet at the same time. You can eat it fresh on its own or incorporated into different recipes.
Yellow passion fruit (passiflora edulis flavicarpa): it has a bright yellow outer skin. It is slightly larger than purple passion fruit and has a more acidic and citrusy flavor. Yellow passion fruit is often preferred for its juice, which is used in tropical-inspired drinks, desserts, and recipes.
Properties of passion fruit
1.Why is passion fruit called that?
2.How to eat passion fruit
3.Properties and benefits of passion fruit
4.Contraindications of passion fruit
Why is passion fruit called that?
The original name of passion fruit is maracujá, a term that comes from an ancient indigenous South American language and means "bowl-shaped food", an expression that recalls the appearance of the fruit itself. As you can see for yourself from the photos, in fact, the passion fruit is usually divided into two halves in order to easily obtain the pulp and seeds, both edible and used in cooking. Even the expression "passion fruit", however, has a precise origin, since it would seem to recall some elements of the passionflower flower that recall the crucifixion of Christ and therefore, precisely, the passion.
Come si mangia il frutto della passione
There are so many ways and recipes to enjoy passion fruit, but if you've never tasted it before, you should first try it fresh, simply by cutting it in half and eating the flesh with a teaspoon. Another option is to make a fruit juice with an unmistakable flavor that will take your mind to some tropical place and is also ideal to add to drinks. You can, for example, put some slices or pulp of passion fruit in a jug of water and let it steep for a few hours. The natural flavors will infuse the water, creating a refreshing and slightly spicy drink that can help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Of course, the jam obtained from passion fruit can be used to enrich desserts, for example to make a cheesecake more delicious. However, passion fruit is also increasingly used in recipes that involve pairing it with savory foods, perhaps in the form of a sauce to accompany fresh fish.
How to tell if passion fruit is ripe
To understand when passion fruit is ripe, and therefore can be harvested, you will have to pay attention to some signs. First of all, observe the color: if the skin appears green, it means that the fruit is still unripe, but if the shades are already changing to yellow, orange or red, then ripening will be near.
It is not easy to notice when passion fruit is ready to be consumed, since sometimes it may already seem "old" even before harvesting. Instead, it is a slightly shriveled skin with a few bruises that announces that it is finally ripe. Finally, its scent will convince you that it's time to eat it.
