Passion Fruit

Looking for a new fruit to enjoy?  Check out the passion fruit.

The passion fruit is native to South America, and is now grown in sub-tropical climates around the world.  In the United States, passion fruit is grown in Hawaii, Southern California, and Florida.  So, you're probably not going to be eating locally on this one.  That's OK, if you eat locally most of the time, there's nothing wrong with a special treat now and again.  That being said, I was lucky enough to pick some up from the punk rock exotic fruit dude at the Larchmont Village farmers' market.

The passion fruit comes in two varieties, yellow and purple.  The larger yellow ones are traditionally used for juice.  The purple ones are the type you're more likely to find in the market.  Look for ugly, deeply wrinkled fruits.  Those are the ripe ones.  Ugly fruit!

The passion fruit is nature's sweet tart.  It's flavor is naturally concentrated, so you can eat it (seeds and all) straight for an intense taste experience, or dilute it in juice, water, or booze for something more subtle.  Any way you enjoy it, the passion fruit will leave you craving more.  

Passion fruit is high in Vitamin A, potassium, dietary fiber, and Vitamin C.

A word of warning: you probably won't eat the flavorless purple skin, but, if you're tempted, better not to.  It contains cyanide.  That's not tasty.  That's poison!