Passion fruit: Harvesting, storage and preparation

The passion flower is not only an ornamental plant, but also bears fruit. Here you can find out everything about harvesting and using the healthy passion fruit.

The fruit of passion flower (passiflora) is of course called passion fruit, but it is also known under the name granadille, especially in South America. This name derives from the Spanish word "granadilla", which means something like "small pomegranate". And indeed, the appearance of the fruit is reminiscent of a pomegranate.

passion fruit

There are countless types of passion fruit and with such a wide variety of species it is not surprising that some passion flowers bear edible fruit while others do not. But which ones are edible? Basically, it should be said that the fruits of most non-edible species are not poisonous, just not tasty. However, there are also poisonous species that you shouldn't try. These include passion flowers of the subgenus

Decaloba. These are usually characterized by white patterned leaves. The yellow fruits of the passion fruit (Passiflora edulis format flavicarpa) and the crimson to lilac colored fruits of the purple granadilla (Passiflora edulis format edulis). These two are of great economic importance worldwide and are also commercially available from us. The adjective "edulis" also means "edible". Also not to be underestimated are the fruits of the flesh-colored passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) and Sweet Granadilla (Passiflora ligularis). Commonly used as an ornamental plant, the blue passion flower (Passiflora caerolea) unfortunately does not bear any recommendable fruit, but at least no poisonous ones either.

Passion fruit: ingredients and vitamins

The passion fruit has it all. Although it is not exactly high in calories, because with 64 kilocalories per 100 grams it is more of a lightweight, but with other ingredients. The fruits are rich in vitamin C and the two B vitamins riboflavin and niacin. Enjoying a ripe passion fruit will boost your immune system and your metabolism. Minerals are also abundant in the fruit. Of particular note is the high phosphorus content of 57 milligrams per 100 grams of pulp. Phosphate is important for bones and teeth and plays an important role in generating energy in the body. Also worth mentioning is the high content of potassium, which maintains cell functions, and iron, which is necessary for the production of blood and muscle cells. The passion fruit clearly deserves the title of healthy fruit.

Harvesting passion fruit: when is it ripe?

If your passion flower has a good location and is allowed outside in the summer, the chances are good that it will bear fruit. However, these can only mature during a long summer or if you move your passion flower to a greenhouse or conservatory in the fall. When are the fruits ripe? This can primarily be seen from the color. Unripe fruits are still green and should not be eaten. If the skin turns red to dark purple, the fruit is ripe. However, the fruits of the passion fruit ripen in yellow hues.

Store passion fruit properly

If you don't want to eat your passion fruit right away, it's best to put it in the fridge. At low temperatures, the fruit keeps for about one to a maximum of three weeks. If your passion fruit is not yet fully ripe, store the fruit at room temperature for a few days before eating. Passion fruits are climacteric, so they can still ripen after harvest. However, this happens faster at room temperature. If you want it to be particularly quick, simply place an apple nearby. These give off ethylene, which accelerates the ripening process.

Eating and preparing passion fruit properly

Inside passion fruit are countless small seeds surrounded by pulp. These are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and can be eaten with confidence. If you are less fond of seeds, it is advisable to press the fruit pulp through a sieve before eating. If you want to enjoy the passion fruit fresh, it is best to cut it open with a cross section and spoon it out. You should avoid the white skin. With some types of passion fruit, you can also remove the hard rind at the top by hand, make a small hole in the white skin underneath, and suck out the contents of the fruit. In this way, the passion fruit can be easily consumed when traveling without getting your hands dirty. Of course, there are also many delicious recipes that are worth trying out.

The seeds surrounded by pulp are very tasty in a fresh summer salad, for example. The flesh of the passion fruit is also suitable in muesli or yoghurt as well as for refining a dessert or as a sorbet. You can also mix the stoned fruit mass into dry cakes or muffins to achieve a fruity note. Although the herb of the passion flower is not directly suitable for consumption, it plays an important role in naturopathy. Learn more about passion flower herb here.

By the way: Maracujas are a subspecies of passion fruit and are characterized by a yellow skin and a slightly more sour taste.