Passionfruit: A History

Passiflora edulis, commonly called “passion fruit” in English, is an evergreen species of passion
flower. The Passiflora species contains some 500 varieties, however only Passiflora edulis
produces fruit. The leaves of the vine vary from 3 to 8 inches, deep green in color but
occasionally with red or purple tinges. The fruit itself is small, usually 35 to 50 grams in weight
and 4 to 8 millimeters in diameter. The fruit is divided into two main varieties: yellow and
purple. The yellow variety is noted as being larger and producing more juice, however the
purple passion is preferred for a less acidic flavor and deeper aroma. Yellow is usually allocated
to use in preserves and juice blends, while purple is almost always used fresh. The rind of the
fruit is quite thick, while the insides are light orange in color with a large amount of black,
pitted seeds. The flavor has similar notes to that of guava.
The origins of passion fruit have been traced to a single area, from southern Brazil, through
Paraguay and into northern Argentina. Spanish Jesuit missionaries took the plants with them
back to Spain, and European explorers introduced the plant to multiple tropical locations.
Passion fruit is now cultivated all over Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand,
Southeast Asia, central Africa and the United States, specifically Florida, California and Hawaii.
Jesuit missionaries attempted to use the passion fruit and it’s accompanying flower to aid in
conversion of the native Aztecs to Christianity. The fruit was so named not because it was
believed to be an aphrodisiac or linked to a pagan entity of love or lust, but rather the Jesuits
claimed the five petals of the flower represented the five wounds of Jesus and linked it to the
Passion of the Christ. While it does not appear to have been used by the Aztecs as anything
other than food, the root of certain varieties of Passiflora may have been used to treat
snakebites. Some in the modern era do link passion fruit to passionate love, with some
claiming consumption of the fruit by men increases virility and sperm count, however no
scientific data exists to prove such claims. Nutritionally, passion fruit contains a good amount
of dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, iron and magnesium.
Passion fruit is susceptible to a variety of diseases, most notably passionfruit woodiness virus.
Characteristics of infestation include yellowing of the leaves, fruit becoming small, hard and
stone like, and scabs or cracks forming on the rind of the fruit. The virus spreads through
insects such as aphids and mites, but also through contaminated tools. There is no chemical
control for the virus currently. Other diseases include bacterial leaf spot, collar rot and fusarium
wilt. It is noted yellow species of passion fruit are much less susceptible to these diseases than
the purple varieties.
Passion fruit is a highly popular flavoring in a variety of desserts and cocktails. It is most
frequently eaten raw with a spoon, occasionally covered in sugar. It is very popular in Australia,
where it is used in fruit salads, sodas, a topping for pavola(meringue cake), ice cream and
cheesecakes. Other uses include juicing the fruit and making into a simple syrup to flavor a
variety of products, such as shaved ice, as flavoring in yogurts and mousses. The fruit can also
be made into ice pops, jams and jellies. Hawaii is noted for using passion fruit in a variety of
foods, such as malasada pastries, mochi, and even in marinades for meat and vegetables.
 Passionfruit: A History

Sources:
https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/passion-fruit.html
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/passionfruit.html
https://www.thespruce.com/passion-fruit-muffins-3028983