Can you eat passion flower fruit? This is the first question that arises whenever you first witness this extraordinary-looking fruit. Well, yes! You can eat passion flower fruit. This plant gives superbly beautiful flowers as well as super-delicious and nutritional summer fruit. It is a win-win both ways.

This gorgeous plant fruit first gives remarkable flowers with striking colours, then changes to passion fruit. This makes this plant unique and proves to be a double treat. The question is, is the fruit good, and can you eat passion flower fruit? The answer is yes, undoubtedly. Whenever you see passion fruit, you should eat it, for sure. It is delicious and will become your favourite in a few bites. 

Let’s get to know more about this amazing edible plant, so read along.

1. Passionflower Fruit’s Origin

Passionflower fruit, also can be known as maypop, is a climbing vine that belongs to the genus Passiflora. It was said to be named as Maypop because it popped up from the ground in May. Others believe it’s because of the pop sound the fruit makes when someone steps on it.

This plant originally belonged to the southeastern United States and Central and South America. That is the reason it is called a tropical plant, as most of its species grow in tropical regions. The most common is Passiflora edulis. Passiflora incarnata, an edible species, grows in the non-tropical regions of the eastern United States and is very similar to Passiflora edulis.

Its native species grows beyond the Ohio River in South Florida. They grow all the way south to Brazil. Passiflora was later brought to European countries, where it became widely cultivated because of its benefits.

2. Passionflower fruit characteristics. 

It has over 400 species, so it is a very diverse genus. Twenty-five of these species are of native range and grow in Australia, Oceania, North America, and Southeast Asia.

They have characteristics that camouflage to a certain extent. To avoid standing out, their leaves often take the shape of the neighbouring leaves. Some species of Passiflora also store hydrocyanic acid glycosides in their leaves. 

On the other hand, their fruit is edible in most of the species, which means you don’t have to worry about the most common question: Can you eat passion flower fruits? 

3. Types of Passion Flower Fruit

As mentioned earlier, the Passiflora genus is very diverse, and thus the passion flower plant has many species. Each has its own unique character in terms of looks, flavour, and size. Lastly, can you eat passion flower fruit? Yes, you most definitely can. Its fruit is mostly the size of a hen’s egg. Its core is packed with seeds. To know more, let’s take a quick note of some of the common ones. 

3.1. Yellow Passion Fruit

Its botanical name is Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa. It is also known as the golden passion fruit. As the name suggests, it has yellow or orange fruit skin. Its pulp is bright yellow and has a more mellow flavour to it. It is sweeter than the other varieties of passion fruit. 

3.2. Purple Passion Fruit

This variety’s botanical name is Passiflora edulis. It is the most common variety of passion fruit. Its deep purple or maroon-coloured skin makes it stand out from the rest of the fruits. Its pulp has a sweet-tart flavour and is again golden yellow. It is said to be the tastiest variety of all the other passion fruits.

3.3. Giant Granadilla

Passiflora quadrangularis is its botanical name. As the name suggests, it is bigger than the other passion fruits and is also a bit elongated. Its pulp is white and mildly sweet. This fruit is mostly used in making beverages and desserts, which does not overpower them. 

4. Can you eat passion flower fruit, and what does it taste like?

Can you eat passion flower fruit? Definitely yes, and there is no confusion about it. Let’s get to know what passion fruit tastes like.

Passionflower fruit and its juice have a unique tropical taste and smell. Its taste is a combination of acidity and sweetness, with an aromatic smell. In short, its flavour defines the tropics. Some say that it is the best fruit that they have ever tasted in the world.

Its flavours are so intense that even if a small amount of juice is added to a drink, it can elevate its flavour to another level. It’s a must-try. The only drawback is that this fruit does not keep well if transported. It has a short shelf life and should be eaten as soon as it is ripe. Thus, it’s more of a local fruit. 

5. Growing Passionflower Fruit

As you already know, the passion fruit vine is a tropical and sub-tropical edible fruit. Therefore, it thrives well in warm and humid climates with plenty of sunlight. You will easily find it growing in Africa, Hawaii, California, and Florida in the United States. You can even grow this fruit in home gardens or a greenhouse environment with the right growing conditions. 

5.1. Planting Passion Flower Fruit. 

If you want to plant Passiflora, you can either bring in a starter plant or get its seeds from a nursery. You can also buy seeds or baby plants online as well. There are many species of Passiflora found online.

You can also plant them in containers outdoors during the summer and then bring them indoors during the winter. You should ideally plant them near a fence, wall, or tree, as they are climbers and need something to climb onto. 

The best time to plant young shoots of passion flower plants is in the spring in rich soil full of organic matter like compost. They grow rapidly, beginning in June and starting to blossom in July.

5.1.1. Planting Seeds for the Passion Flower Plant.

The coating of the seed of a passion flower fruit is very hard. You should first sand them lightly with sandpaper. Then make sure to dip the seeds in water and let them soak for twelve hours before planting. If you skip this step, they may take a year to germinate. 

Place the seeds a few inches deep in soil rich in organic matter. Water them well and position them where the vine can hold onto them and grow. It may shoot to 15 feet during a good growing season.

5.1.2. Planting Starter Passion Fruit Vines.

Plant the young passion fruit vines in a place where they get partial to full sunlight. The soil should be well-drained. Dig up a hole deep enough for the roots. Water it well, provide a good compost, and you are set to see it grow. 

5.2. Soil for Passion Flower Fruit.

Passionflower fruit needs a well-drained, loamy soil. As it needs proper watering, the soil should also have the ability to drain well. The recommended pH level of the soil should be between 5.5 and 6.5. This will make it more resistant to diseases and, thus, produce more fruits.

5.3. Fertiliser

Make sure to fertilise your passion flower fruit 2-4 times every year. An ideal fertiliser would have a high potassium and phosphorus content to promote flowering and, hence, fruit.

If the soil is already rich in nitrogen, then choose a fertiliser with low nitrogen. Too much nitrogen will result in more leaves and fewer flowers and fruits. Then you won’t have to wonder about the question, Can you eat passion flower fruit? because there won’t be any. 

5.4. Temperature and Sunlight

Passion fruit adores sunlight and should get six to eight hours of full sun. That is the key to producing fruit that is juicy and edible. If you live in an extremely hot region, then a little shade is good. 

Passion fruit is suitable to be grown in both ground and containers. Choose the best spot and place it indoors or in a container on the balcony.

5.5. Watering

As it is a very fast-growing vine, give it a lot of water. Make sure the soil never dries out. During their fruiting period, they need more water than usual, so keep a check. 

Avoid over-watering and maintain a balance, as it can cause root rot. Having a water pool in the soil around it is a big no-no. Place a humidifier near the plant if the weather is extremely dry.

5.6. Pruning of Passionflower Fruit. 

Pruning is when you cut away the dead or overgrown parts of the plant. Since Passiflora is a quick grower, pruning is essential to keeping the plant healthy, so you need to keep it in check. 

When you prune, get rid of any dead parts or dead stems. If your vine has grown to become very dense and lush, then thin it in between to give air circulation to every part. Pruning can be done in late winter or early spring before the plant begins to grow actively. Use a fibre-based thread to help it climb rather than the wires, as they can cause damage. 

5.7. Pest and Disease Management

Can you eat passion flower fruit? Yes, you can, if you protect the plants from pests and diseases. Any plant that bears fruits needs extra protection from pests and diseases. The purple passion fruit is more prone to pests than the yellow varieties.

Many caterpillar species love to feed on plants. They eat the leaves and also release fluid over the leaves, which causes them to dry. They also eat its flowers and fruit; therefore, you need to check. 

Passion fruit plants are also susceptible to pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. Some of the diseases, like fungal infection and root rot, also affect the plant. Monitor the plant for symptoms like yellowing of the leaves, sticky residues, and wilting. 

Use insecticide soaps or organic remedies if you see any signs. Keep a watch on the soil as well to prevent nematodes from attacking its root system. Practice soil rotation to keep the soil healthy. Snails and animals can also harm the plant, so make sure there are no snails, as their mucus can weaken the plant. 

5.8. Harvesting the Edible Fruit

Can you eat passion flower fruit? Yes, you surely can, if you have paid attention to all the above factors. Well, you will know by the heavy and vibrant colours of the fruit whether it is ripe or not. The fruit’s skin starts to wrinkle a little. That is when it is ready to harvest. You can either pluck the ripe fruit or it will eventually fall.

It is fully ripe if it falls. It won’t rot that quickly after falling; therefore, it gives you enough time to collect them. Do not pick a green fruit; let it be fully ripe before plucking it. 

5.9. Storing Passion Flower Fruit

Can you eat passion flower fruit in storage? Yes, you can eat a properly stored passion fruit. As the passion fruit doesn’t last too long, you need to know the correct way to store it. 

It is best to eat the purple fruit when they are fresh, as they are the tastiest at that point. You can even eat it raw. The yellow fruit is plucked and used for juice and other cooking. 

Passion fruit usually lasts for a few weeks if kept in a cool, dry area, unrefrigerated. In a fridge, it may last longer. If, by chance, you have plucked the plant before time, then leave it lying for a few days until it ripens. 

You can even freeze the whole fruit or its juice and later use it for dressing, drinks, or desserts. Its butter is also made.

 6. Benefits and Uses of Passion Fruit and its Flower

Can you eat passion flower fruit? Yes, you definitely can. Not only because of its tropical taste but also because of the numerous benefits this fruit and its flower have. Let’s take a quick look.

6.1. Dietary Supplement.

Chemicals found in passion flowers have a calming effect. It is considered a sedative, which is effective against insomnia and high blood pressure. It is traditionally used to help with sleep. It can be used in tea and as a tincture. 

People use passion flowers to treat anxiety, stress, pain, ADHD, and related conditions. It is also applied to treat burns and haemorrhoids. 

6.2. Culinary Uses

Passion fruit is prized for its unique tropical flavours. The pulp of the fruit is filled with edible seeds, which offer a soft jelly-like consistency. Eating passion fruit is easy. You can just scoop it out and add it to your dishes. Its fruit extract is also available in the form of fruit drops.

Passion fruit is specially used in preparing pavlovas, cheesecakes, and fruit salads. It offers both a good flavour and a good visual appeal to its dishes. 

Its juice adds a great flavour to beverages as well. Its juice is a favourite ingredient for cocktails, mocktails, smoothies, and punches. 

6.3. Nutritional Benefit

Passion fruit and passion flowers are good sources of dietary fibre. It supports digestive health and aids in weight management. The fruit is loaded with vitamin C, which is good for the skin and boosts the immune system.

7. Conclusion

Can you eat passion flower fruit? This question has troubled many who have seen the fruit for the first time. The jelly-like pulp with seeds is what makes anyone doubt eating it. Let me be clear: yes, you can eat this fruit, and the seeds are edible. After eating this amazing tropical fruit, you won’t be able to resist it and will want to have it more often. 

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 8. FAQs

Q1. Can passion flower fruit be eaten raw?

Ans Yes, you can eat a fully ripened passion flower fruit. It is commonly eaten raw. Cut the fruit into two halves, use a spoon to scoop out the pulp, and enjoy.

Q2. What does passion flower fruit taste like?

Ans Passion fruit’s taste is a combination of sweetness with a slight sour tartness, which creates a refreshing and distinct taste. The pulp of the fruit is soft jelly-like and filled with edible seeds.  It is quite tasty, which is why it is commonly eaten raw.

Q3: Can you eat passion flower fruit?

Ans Yes! You can eat passion flower fruit. It is said to be one of the tastiest fruits in the world.

Q4. Is passion fruit expensive? 

Ans The average price of a purple passion fruit is about $5. The value depends on the season and its growers.

Last Updated on May 7, 2024 by Anuja.V