PASSION FRUIT

Passion fruit, or Maracuja, is found between the green leaves of plants in the Passifloraceae family. It is native to Brazil and has been introduced to various countries in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Passion fruit has a distinctive smell, is oval or round in shape and is medium to small in size (it can reach 6-8cm in diameter). The skin is inedible, hard, thick and wrinkled when mature. Colour ranges from yellow to dark purple depending on variety. The flesh is gelatinous and strongly scented with a sweet/sour flavour and is pinkish-yellow in colour. The fruit contains many seeds and is grown principally for juice, rather than the fruit itself, which is added to cocktails and other drinks. It has a calming and balancing effect and is recommended for sufferers of insomnia.