Overview of passion fruit

The edible commercial species of passion fruit originated on the edges of South America rainforests in the Amazon region of Brazil and possibly in Paraguay and northern Argentina.

The passion fruit was cultivated by Inca in what is now know as Peru in about AD 1000.

It has been carried to all parts of the world. In many places it is grown only as a hot-house plant.

Its unusual flowers inspired the Spaniards to name it passion plant.

Passion fruit was given its name by Catholic missionaries in South America. The corona threads of the passion flower were seen as a symbol of the crown of thorns, the five stamens for wounds, the five petals and five sepals as the ten apostles (excluding Judas and Peter) and the three stigmas for the nails on the cross.

Native Americans used the flowers to heal bruises and wounds, calm and encourage sleep, and help settle the nerves.

American Indians used the leaves and the root as a poultice for injuries and boils and made a tea to calm the nerves.

The first written record of the medicinal use date back thousands of years, and in Peru, passion fruit has long been mashed and combined with water to make a refreshing, nutritious drink.

In popular usage, the fruit has been associated with the other ‘passion’ that is ‘sexual attraction’ and so has now become a sort of traditional dish or present for Valentine’s Day.
Overview of passion fruit

Minerals in passion fruit

The prolific fruit of tropical vine, the passion fruit is named for the world and exotic flower with sedative properties.

Ripe fruits are yellow or purple with hard shiny skin that wrinkles as it ripens. The sweet and tart, pulpy flesh is sharply aromatic and laden with crunchy, edible seeds.

Minerals play a vital role in the maintenance of human health. Key minerals in passion fruit include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc.

Passion fruit is a good source of iron. Iron helps strengthen and tone the skin.

Although passion fruit are higher in sodium than most fruit, there’s nice amount of potassium to help offset the sodium and potassium also helps prevent stroke and supports healthy blood pressure levels.

Apart from that potassium is a mineral that helps prevent acne, dry and puffy skin.

With some magnesium and B vitamins, passion fruit contribute to healthy skin, nerves and muscles. Magnesium also can prevent skin disorders.

Zinc also available in passion fruit and it is necessary for the formation of collagen and helps to heal acne, dry skin, stretch marks, wounds and wrinkles.
Minerals in passion fruit

Vitamins in passion fruit

Passion fruit mainly enjoyed for its juice. It grows on vines in the South American tropics.

Ripe fruits are yellow or purple with hard shiny skin that wrinkles as it ripens. The sweet and tart, pulpy flesh is sharply aromatic and laden with crunchy, edible seeds.

Key vitamin in passion fruit include vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B3 (niacin).

Yellow and purple passion fruit are good sources of pro-vitamin A, niacin, riboflavin and ascorbic acid. Vitamin C in passion passion fruit is between 20 to 30 mg while 1,272 IU of vitamin A per 100 g of fresh fruit.

The fruit provides 1.5 mg of vitamin B12 per 100 g.

Lots of vitamin C and some vitamin A means better immunity and possible cancer protection. Passion fruit pulp is a good source of vitamin A. Research at the University of Florida support the fruit juice as a cancer fighting substance.

With some B vitamins and magnesium, passion fruit contribute to healthy skin, nerves and muscles.
Vitamins in passion fruit

Passion fruit

Passion fruit is popular fruit in many subtropical countries. It can be cut in halves and the pulp scooped out and eaten fresh by itself or added to fruit salad, ice cream and fruit juice.

Other products include tropical fruit cocktail, passionfruit sherbet and ice, and jelly and jam combination.

It adds a unique flavor to other fruit based beverages. The yellow passion fruit is preferred for processing because of its higher juice yield and acidity.

Passion fruit also good source of vitamin C, containing between 20 and 30 mg of vitamin C and 1272 IU of vitamin A per 100 g of fresh fruit, as well as other vitamins in smaller amounts.

Passions fruit is used as food, which has content of iron and vitamin C. Because of that it can reduces iron deficiency anemia.

Passion fruit plants grow very quickly after planting. Also the plant normally gives fruit for only three years and new plants must then be planted.
Passion fruit