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~ Passionfruit Information ~
"Do you know the Passionfruit flower derived its name from its similarity to the crown of thorns?"
click on the below image for a large detailed view
Passionfruit is the most widely used name to describe this fruit, it is also called: Granadilla, Lilikoi in Hawaii, Maracuja in Equador and Brazil, Parcha in Venezuela and Chinola or Parchita in Puerto Rico. Scientifically Passionfruit is named "Passiflora." Passionfruit is thought to have originated from South America, a natural vine from the Amazon. Since then Passionfruit has been domesticated and bred into many different hybrids. The difference is that the Panama Passionfruit is a natural Hybrid not an artificially bred hybrid.
Passionfruit has been a food staple 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 has been used by the Brazilian tribes as a heart tonic and Passionfruit is still used today in South American traditional medicine. Antonio Barnardes 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 favourite 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.
Below is the food value of 100 grams of Passionfruit, seeds and pulp.
The Passionfruit flower in which the actual Passionfruit originates is an extremely delicate, beautiful and very different looking flower, as seen from the photo below.
Fruits of Whitsunday's ripe Panama Passionfruit are Reddish, maroon to pink on the skin, depending on where on the vine the fruit was and the past weather conditions. All new undamaged Panama Passionfruit have small white spots visible on the outside just under the skin. Panama is best eaten in this state, unwrinkled to ensure maximum freshness.
The inside edible part of the Panama Passionfruit has a yellow to orange pulp, that is very sweet, the seeds in the pulp are also edible. Great things about Panama Passionfruit are:
Fruits of Whitsunday A division of Delfwood Pty Ltd ABN 38 341 723 708 As Trustee for the Kelly Family Trust
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