How Passion Fruit Get Its Name


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As we already mentioned, passion fruits are not actually berries; they're small to medium sized tropical orbs that contain a sweet pulp. They can be red or white depending on the variety! The name passion fruit is also kind of confusing as there are several types of passionfruit. This article will talk about the three major type names and how they got their unique catchy names.
There are two main reasons why most people get the word "passion" stuck in their head when talking about passion fruits. First, some varieties of passion fruit have very strong flavorings which some people describe as passionate or intense. Second, some types of passion fruit grow on trees with large leaves so it gives you an idea that this plant was loved and cared for.
This article will discuss the tangy green passion fruits, what part of the world they originate from, and how they gained their famous name.
The country of passion fruit
There are three major varieties of passion fruits, all with their own name that denotes where they come from! The Chilean or Peruvian passion fruit is just called a passion fruit.
The Brazilian passion fruit gets its name because it comes mostly from Brazil. The Guayaquil variety gets its name due to being grown in the town of Guayaquil, Ecuador. And the California-style passion fruit gets its name for coming from the state of California.
You probably know what kind of taste each one has, but how do you choose which one to eat them? It’s not really about which one tastes best, but which one does your family like most. You can also determine this by looking at all three of their shapes; rounded, square, and long.
A little bit more about guayacans
Most people don’t care much about the differences between the different types of passion fruits unless they differ in flavor. But there is an interesting story behind why the Amazonians love the way the guayaquils taste!
Once upon a time, there was a tribe living in the jungle who didn’t have very many food sources. One day, some villagers went into the forest to look for something to eat and found a bunch of berries growing next to each other. They gathered as many of those berry plants as they could and took them back home to see if they would grow bigger.
The fruit itself
There are several stories as to why the passion fruit gets its name. One says that it was named after passionate lovemaking or what some call sexy eating. Another theory is that it got its name because of how passionately people eat them!
The fruits come in colors ranging from dark red all the way through orange to white, so they look very pretty when you eat them.
They also taste delicious; many say it tastes like guava with an extra tangy flavor. Some even describe it as having strawberry-like aroma and flavor.
Popular culture references to passion fruit
Many people are not aware of how passion fruits got their name. While some say it is due to the taste, there’s actually no evidence that this is true!
In fact, the opposite seems more plausible. According to some stories, the fruity flavor was invented as a way to describe the smell of pussies. (No, we would never use such vulgar language, but your imagination can make its own conclusions.)
Whatever the reason for its name, many cultures have associated the fruit with sex or love in some form or another. Some even associate it directly with intercourse!
Given all these associations, it makes sense why so many people enjoy eating them.
The taste of passion fruit
The taste of passion fruits comes down to two main components: acidity and flavor. As you know, sour foods are your favorite!
The flavor component is determined by three major ingredients: sugar, alcohol, and acids. Acids include what we call “natural” or “organic” acids like citric or lactic acid.
But most people aren't very familiar with another type of acid that can contribute to the taste of passion fruits- ascorbic acid (or Vitamin C).
That's why it's important to understand how ascorbic acid impacts the taste of passion fruits.
Passion fruit growing and harvesting
Passion fruits are not actually berries, but instead are large, round, tropical fruits that grow in clusters on a stem-like structure called a peduncle. They are unique in coloration as they contain white flesh with bright pink juicy seeds.
They can be bitingly sour or sweet depending on the variety! The sours usually take longer to ripen than the sweets, which are known as pummelos.
There are many theories about how passion fruits got their name. One theory is that they were given this name because people would eat them and get so excited about them that it was like having a passionate experience.
Another theory says that the fruit gets its name due to the similarities between the seed and the stomach acid.
Tips for eating passion fruit
The next time you eat a passion fruit, do not just throw it out! If you are hungry, grab some bread to put some of the pulp in or make a smoothie with it.
Passion fruits contain an antioxidant compound called catalase which helps neutralize free radicals. These are unstable molecules that damage other cells by moving around too quickly.
Free radicals have been linked to many diseases including cancer so ingesting enough of them may help prevent or treat disease.
However, there is no scientific evidence indicating that eating more passion fruit will help reduce risk of any specific health condition.
Instead, focusing on diets rich in fruits and vegetables can aid in overall health and weight loss.
History of passion fruit
The name passion fruit comes from the Spanish word pámpano, which means “spiny fruit or pod”. When the fruits are ripe, some spines come out to protect them. These hard spikes grow longer as the plant matures and then they're discarded.
The Latin term for this kind of fruit is datura staphylocarpa, which translates to “stony fruit that grows tall.” In Spain, people refer to it as berenjena de la flor (french strawberry with thorns). This gives it its current moniker — the passionfruit!
It is important to note that although the origin story mentioned above is true, there are several other theories about how the passion fruit got its name.
The legend of passion fruit
Many people have theories about how the passion fruit got its name, but none are quite as interesting or true as another. Some say it comes from a person who enjoyed them so much that they asked if they could call more for a meal, while others believe it is because you will always feel passionate after eating one.
A different theory goes like this: A man was sitting next to his girlfriend on a boat trip when she made some cream-filled strawberries he didn’t like.
He got angry and threw the berries at her, hitting her in the face instead. When he looked down, he saw she had tears in her eyes and gave him a small kiss, which he returned.
After their little moment, he told her she was very beautiful and that he loved her. Then he ate the rest of the strawberrys and drowned in juice!
The guy then said he wanted to eat nothing but passion fruits for the rest of his life because they reminded him of his love story with her.