Panama Passionfruit

Did you know the Passionfruit flower derived its name from its similarity to the crown of thorns?

       Scientifically Passionfruit is named "Passiflora."

Passionfruit is thought to have originated from South America, a natural vine from the Amazon. Since then Passionfruit has been domesticated and bred into many different hybrids. The difference is that the Panama Passionfruit is a natural Hybrid not an artificially bred hybrid.

Benefits: 

• Passionfruit has been a food staple for the people and animals of the rainforest for eons. The leaves of many of the Passiflora species have been used for centuries by indigenous tribes as a sedative or calming tonic.
• The Passionfruit has been used by the Brazilian tribes as a heart tonic and Passionfruit is still used today in South American traditional medicine. Antonio Barnardes notes that: "A cup of Maracuja tea (leaves) or 2 glasses of juice will naturally calm down the most hyperactive child and for this reason it is highly valued by Brazilian mothers." and Daniel B. Mowrey notes: " The Brazilians even have a favourite Passion flower drink, called maracuja grande, that frequently used to treat asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis and other tough coughs.
• " In Peruvian traditional medicine today, Passionfruit juice is used for uninary infections and as a mild diuretic. Researchers have documented the properties of Passionfruit juice in at least 4 studies.

Buying & Storing:

• Ripe Panama Passionfruit are Reddish, maroon to pink on the skin, depending on where on the vine the fruit was and the past weather conditions.
• All new undamaged Panama Passionfruit have small white spots visible on the outside just under the skin.
• Panama is best eaten in this state, unwrinkled to ensure maximum freshness.

Taste:

• The inside edible part of the Panama Passionfruit has a yellow to orange pulp, that is very sweet, the seeds in the pulp are also edible.

Aroma:

• Sweet fruity and very distinctive.

Preparation: 

• Simply cut in half or length ways and scoop flesh out.

some information coutesy of Fruits of Whitsunday  A division of Delfwood Pty Ltd  ABN 38 341 723 708  As Trustee for the Kelly Family Trust

www.fruitsofwhitsunday.com/passionfruitInfo.html  

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