How Passion Fruit Get Its Name

December 2, 2022

The lovely pink fruit we call passion fruits are in fact not actually berries at all, but rather large fuzzy spheres that grow on vines! They also do not come from Asia or Africa, where they are sometimes called “grapes with seeds” because of their resemblance to grapes.

They were cultivated in South America where it is believed they were originally picked by monkeys for its sweet taste.

Since then, they have grown in popularity due to both their delicious flavor and ease of use. You can either eat them out of the shell directly or you can soak the pulp in liquid to drink like a juice.

Their unique tangy-sweet flavor comes mostly down to two components: citric acid and fructose (or sugar). Citric acid is naturally occurring and helps give oranges and other citrus fruits their bright, sour flavor. Fructose is found in many plants, including fruits, and contributes to their sweetness.

So if you love passion fruits and want to know more about them, here are five interesting facts about this pretty fruit.

The origin of the fruit

how passion fruit get its name

Prior to Columbus’s discovery, natives in southeast Asia referred to this delicious tropical citrus as daun kesum or “palm sugar apple.” It was not until Christopher Columbus visited the island of Hispaniola (the shared territory of Haiti and the Dominican Republic) that he gave it a new name: passion fruit!

He noticed the fruits growing along shorelines and around trees where they were washed down by tides at high tide. Because these plants would grow back every season, he believed they could be used for food and money so he took some seeds home with him.

Sadly, most of those seedlings didn't survive, but his children did. His grandson Luis eventually brought some of the fruits back to Spain, where they were tasted and loved.

Passionate fruit

how passion fruit get its name

This funky tropical berry gets its name because of what people do with it. When they eat it, you will see them passionately kissing each other!

Passion fruits are grown in clusters that contain around 10-20 individual berries. They grow on tall thin trees and bear many passionfruit every season.

When they are ripe, the soft juicy pulp surrounds the bright red seeds making eating them an experience in itself.

The tangy taste is very refreshing and some recipes call for the pure juice of the fruit alone! Unfortunately, most of the passionfruit from Mexico and South America are too acidic and not sweet enough to make it into a drink or food product.

That is why there are few uses for this fruit.

The passion fruit

how passion fruit get its name

Many people are not sure what part of the passion fruit tree to eat them. This is weird, because they seem to love them! What makes a passion fruit different from any other variety is its shape. They come in round shapes but only when they’re very young.

As it grows bigger, it becomes more pointed or spiky. This is why some people call them crazy berries!

But if you like this style fruit then you have to wait for it to fully develop before eating it. It can be pretty difficult too as there is no way to know how many would fit into your mouth at one time!

It is best to buy them young so that they do not grow larger than their natural size. These tips will help you learn how to cook with passion fruits.

What does passion fruit mean?

how passion fruit get its name

The name "passion fruit" comes from the Spanish word pasio, which means punctual or quick. In Spain, this fruit is dried and stored until it is re-hydrated and eaten as a dessert ingredient.

When they are re-hydrated and mixed with other ingredients, such as yogurt, they create an intensely flavored sweet treat that some say has a slight fruity flavor.

Some people describe it as having a tangy flavor similar to that of lime. Others say it tastes like kiwi or grapefruit.

Famous people named after passion fruit

how passion fruit get its name

Many consider the tangy, bright pink color of fresh passion fruits to be beautiful. They also recognize the taste as something special. Therefore, they use the pulp or dried powder form of the fruit to add it into things like drinks and desserts.

Some people even make recipes using the whole fruit! This is not only because of its looks but due to the way that flavor can enhance other foods.

When eating this fruit, some people notice an interesting effect in their mouth. The sourness mixes with the sweetness creating a satisfying feeling. Some say this effect reminds them of acidity tingling your teeth.

This element of passion fruit has made it famous! People have given the fruit its name and added it into various dishes and snacks.

It is most famously used when making what we call a “passion fruit drink”. That term comes from where you would put the juice of one passion fruit into water and mix together. When drinking this beverage, some feel a slight tickle in their mouths which comes from the passion fruit content.

The culture of passion fruit

how passion fruit get its name

In South America, there is an abundant source of passion fruits that contribute heavily to their cuisine. You can find them in dried form in snacks and desserts or as fresh juice.

Most people are familiar with the tangy taste of passion fruits when they eat them either raw or mixed into other dishes. However, some people may not know what exactly passion fruits are used for.

Certain cultures use the golden liquid called pectin found inside the passion fruit to help set solid foods suchas yogurt or oatmeal together. This process is known as gelatinization.

When using gelatinized passion fruit pulp, the texture and consistency is much smoother than without it. If you have ever had strawberry jam made with regular grapefruit pith, this will feel similar.

This article will tell you how to make your own homemade gelatin using purified agar flakes and how to use these gel supplements in various recipes.

How to eat passion fruit

how passion fruit get its name

Passion fruits are not actually berries, they are more like small limes or lemons that have been attached to another part of the plant. When pressed, the seedy inner material comes out as a juice.

They can be eaten either raw or cooked and will go down easily with the help of some sugar or honey.

They grow in clusters of around 10-20 individual fruits which make them perfect for adding into dishes and drinks as an edible garnish or flavor component.

Nutrition in passion fruit

how passion fruit get its name

Like most fruits, passion fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin C, and A. However, one unique compound found in passion fruit makes it stand out from the rest.

The key ingredient of passion fruit is a nutrient called citric acid. Citric acid gives passion fruit its tangy flavor and also helps lower cholesterol.

Many people have known about eating enough citrus for years to enjoy their health benefits, but not everyone knows what to call this fruit!

Some say it’s just plain “citrus” because it contains some citrusy taste, while others refer to it as “pomodoro” or “poisonous grapefruit.

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