Passion fruit

Description of passion fruit

The passion fruit known also as the Passionflower edible, Granadilla purple or the Passionflower edible, belongs to perennial plants from the sort Passiflora.

The homeland of passion fruit are subtropical wild regions of South America, most likely Paraguay. Now the passionflower is grown up in the majority of the countries of Central and South America, and also in New Zealand, Australia, in Hawaii and in South Africa.

There are more than 400 grades of passion fruit which differ by the size, a form, a coloring and tastes of fruits, the majority of which are edible.

Passion fruit – extraordinary beautiful climber which, like grapes, in a growth period releases short moustaches and twists everything that meets on its way. The passionflower blossoms in greenish-white fragrant colors. Average life expectancy of a plant makes 5-7 years.

Fruits of passion fruit have a smooth wax surface and the oval form in the diameter from 4 to 8 centimeters (like a lemon). Average weight makes about 35-50 g.

Two main types of a passionflower – with violet and yellow fruit are now cultivated. Yellow fruits, as a rule, it is more, than violet, also grow to the grapefruit sizes. However pulp of violet fruits more juicy and sweet also has more richly aroma and taste. In fruits the membrane bags containing fleshy juice with numerous small seeds without stones are located.

Structure of passion fruit

Useful properties of passion fruit are caused by its chemical composition. So, in 100 g of fruits contains:

• 78 g of water;
• 2,4 g of proteins;
• 0,4 g of fats;
• 13,4 g of carbohydrates;
• 1,5 g of cellulose.

Besides, fruits are vitamin-rich among which is most of all ascorbic acid and RR vitamin (24 and 2,5 mg respectively in 100 g of fruits). Passion fruit contains also other vitamins, namely vitamins A, B1, B6, B5, B2, E, N and To.

Fruits of passion fruit can be carried to a number of the fruit containing the potassium playing a large role in work of cardiovascular system in a large number (340 mg in 100 g of fruits). Passion fruit contains also other macrocells, namely: calcium, sodium, sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus and magnesium.

From the microelements which are contained in passionflower fruits, most of all iron and zinc (1,3 and 0,25 mg respectively in 100 g), and also in small amounts there is an iodine, manganese, copper, fluorine and some other.

In 100 g of fruits of passion fruit about 68 kcal contain on average.

Useful properties of passion fruit

Thanks to the balanced mineral composition and high content of potassium, dietitians recommend to eat passion fruit fruits at diseases of a liver, cardiovascular system and urinary tract. Also thanks to the low caloric content and high nutrition value they advise to use this fruit for weight reduction.

Passion fruit has febrifugal, antimicrobic and laxative properties. Ability to improve work of the alimentary system, to reduce cholesterol level in blood and to bring toxins, uric acid and other products of exchange out of an organism belongs to other useful properties of passion fruit.

Pulp of passion fruit is a source of food fibers which content in some grades reaches 27%. Cellulose provides removal of cholesterol from an organism, and also protection of a mucous membrane of a large intestine.

A large amount of the vitamin C which is contained in passion fruit promotes strengthening of immunity against flu and other infectious diseases. Vitamin A and flavonoids are necessary for preservation of good sight and good nutrition of mucous membranes and skin.

Juice of passion fruit has the calming property, helps to take off fatigue and improves quality of a dream. Some researches claim that juice of passion fruit suppresses growth of cancer cells. Seeds of fruits are an important source of protein.

Passion fruit oil

Aromatic oil of passion fruit contains olein (to 20%), linoleic (to 80%), stearin (to 5%) and palmitic (to 15%) acids, and also saponins, amino acids, lemon and ascorbic acids, pectin, alkaloids, starch and potassium.

Passion fruit oil when drawing on skin leaves a pellicle which on the one hand interferes with moisture loss, and with another – allows skin to breathe. The vitamins-antioxidants which are a part of oil prevent a senilism of skin and protect it from negative impact of external factors. Carry to other useful properties of oil of passion fruit:

• Stimulation of local blood circulation;
• Recovery of a protective lipidic layer and elasticity of skin;
• Salutary impact on the inflamed and angry skin.

Oil of passion fruit is applied in cosmetology to production:

• Massage oils;
• The moisturizing and regenerating creams;
• Creams, gels, masks for age, dry, fat and problem skin;
• Shower gels;
• Oil and creams for care of skin after suntan;
• Shampoos and conditioners for any type of hair;
• Oils for split ends of hair;
• Medical creams at eczema, peelings and psoriasis.

Use of passion fruit

In Caribbean countries in the medical purposes all parts of passion fruit are widely used:

1. The leaves containing alkaloids use for gradual lowering of blood pressure;

2. Flowers apply as sedative and an antispasmodic;

3. Fruits use as the accompanying therapy at treatment of nervous breakdowns, bronchitis, asthmas, arthritis, sleeplessness, gastrointestinal frustration and symptoms of a menopause.

Only ripe fruits of passion fruit are eaten. Usually they are eaten in the raw, cutting in half and eating away pulp a spoon. After storage within several days in the warm place the content of saccharites in fruits increases.

In the different countries there were various culinary traditions of use of passion fruit:

• Brazil prepares mousses and juice from pulp of fruits, and it is accepted to decorate with seeds pastries;
• On Philippines and Hawaii passion fruit fruits, as a rule, do not cut, and puncture then pulp as from a coco, drink through a tubule;
• In the countries of Latin America fruits are traditionally eaten with a lime and red pepper;
• Passion fruit syrup in Dominican Republic can be given with fruit ice, and fruits – are with sugar;
• The dessert from plant fruits with honey is a popular dish in Vietnam;
• In Australia from passion fruit traditionally cook sweet sauces and eat them with desserts for breakfast.

How to choose and keep passion fruit fruits

Fruits of passion fruit should be chosen well ripened and heavy for the size. Fruits with slightly wrinkled thin skin, as a rule, more sweet and tasty, and insignificant cuts and spots do not influence their quality.

It is necessary to store fruits in the dark cool place, as a rule, no more than one week. To keep a passionflower longer, it is strewed most often with a small amount of sugar and frozen.

Contraindications

The use of fruits of passion fruit is not recommended to the people having tendency to allergic reactions and also at individual intolerance of this fruit.