Passionfruit

Passionfruit History
The purple passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) is a native of the rainforest margins in the Amazon region of Brazil and perhaps also of Paraguay and northern Argentina. It has adapted to the cooler sub-tropics and the high altitude tropics.

There are many other passiflora species spread widely around the globe and about 50 species are native to New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific and South East Asia.

Passionfruit acquired its name from Spanish missionaries who thought parts of the plant's flower resembled different religious symbols.

Nutrition Information Passionfruit
Fresh Passion Fruit is known to be high in vitamin A, Potassium and dietary fibre. The Yellow variety is used for juice processing, while the Purple variety is sold in fresh fruit markets. Passion fruit juice is a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Uses of Passionfruit
Cut through the thick purplish skin to reveal an amazing yellowish orange pulp. Scoop out the pulp and use in sorbets, make a syrup, add to drinks or drizzle over desserts.

Passionfruit Trivia Facts
Passionfruit has been a foodstaple for the people and animals of the Rainforest for eons. The leaves of many of the Passiflora species have been used for centuries by indigenous tribes as a sedative or calming tonic.

The passionfruit of Passiflora edulis has been used by the Brazilian tribes as a heart tonic and passionfruit is still used today in South American traditional medicine.

Antonio Bernardes notes that: "A cup of Maracuja tea [leaves] or 2 glasses of juice will naturally calm down the most hyperactive child, and for this reason it is highly valued by Brazilian mothers." and Daniel B. Mowrey notes: "The Brazilians even have a favorite passion flower drink, called maracuja grande, that frequently used to treat asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis and other tough coughs."

In Peruvian traditional medicine today, passionfruit juice is used for urinary infections and as a mild diuretic.

Researchers have documented the properties of passionfruit juice in at least 4 studies. 

Click here to see if passionfruit are currently available in our organic fruit shopping aisle