Passion Fruit is one of the estimated 500 species of Passiflora, in the family Passifloraceae, Only one, however, P. edulis Sims, has the exclusive designation of passion fruit, without qualification. Within this species, there are two distinct forms, the standard purple, and the yellow.

The nearly round or ovoid fruit, 1 1/2 to 3 in (4-7.5 cm) wide, has a tough rind, smooth, waxy, ranging in hue from dark-purple with faint, fine white specks, to light-yellow or pumpkin-color. It is 1/8 in (3 mm) thick, adhering to a 1/4 in (6 mm) layer of white pith. Within is a cavity more or less filled with an aromatic mass of double-walled, membranous sacs filled with orange-colored, pulpy juice and as many as 250 small, hard, dark-brown or black, pitted seeds. The flavor is appealing, musky, guava-like, subacid to acid.

It is believed that passion fruit was called that due to the peculiar way that the pulp and seeds of the fruit must be extracted with the tongue when eating. Later, Catholic missionaries used a clever play on the name, "passion fruit" to associate it with the crucifixion of the Christ.

Fresh passion fruit is high in beta carotene, potassium, and dietary fiber. Passion fruit juice is a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Both the purple and yellow variety are used for juice processing, while the purple variety is also popular in fresh fruit markets. The fruit contains Lycopene in the mature and immature pericarp.

Encore Fruit Marketing can provide an excellent source of passion fruit puree to help consumer products deliver one of the 5 A Day vegetable servings.

Passion fruit puree is carefully processed from fresh, ripened passion fruit to provide the essential flavor, nutrition and color, in a convenient, ready to use ingredient form for processed beverage and food applications. Passion fruit puree is an excellent ingredient to add a fruit serving to your retail label for beverages, dairy products, bakery, sauces, jellies and other processed foods like nutrition bars and snacks.

Contact Encore Fruit Marketing today for product samples and information on passion fruit puree at www.encorefruit.com or Click Here to use our convenient Contact Form.