Recipes

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NATIONAL PASSION FRUIT DAY

We celebrate National Passion Fruit Day each year on August 9 on the National Day Calendar. Join us today as we celebrate the delightful sweet and tangy flavor of the tropical fruit known as passion fruit. We also want to promote and honor the hard working farmers and growers that provide passion fruit to consumers in the United States.

#PASSIONFRUITDAY

Passion fruit is a tropical fruit belonging to the Passifloraceae family, which is a combination of flowering plants that has over 750 species. Passion fruit is native to South America, specifically in regions of Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. The fruit grows abundantly in South America because of the tropical climate, where warm temperatures and rainfall attribute to the abundant growth of the fruit. South America has extremely fertile soil, which provides essential nutrients that promote healthy growth. Interestingly, pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds also contribute to the successful growth of passionfruit in the region. However, passion fruit does grow in other parts of the world, including central America, Africa, Australia, and even Hawaii.

What is Passion Fruit? Passion fruit is a small, round or oval-shaped tropical fruit with big flavor. The outer portion of the fruit is either purple or yellow and has a wrinkly skin. Inside, you will find a jelly-like pulp with tons of little black seeds. Don’t worry, the black seeds are very edible! Purple passion fruit is more common and has a tarter flavor. Yellow passion fruit is larger than the purple fruit and is also sweeter.

5 Fun Passion Fruit Facts

1. Eating passion fruit provides high amounts of nutrients. For example, passion fruit contains vitamins C and A, calcium, and iron. All of which promote a healthy immune system, heart health, and assist with digestion.
2. The pulp of passion fruit can be used in juices, smoothies, salads, and even desserts. In fact, passion fruit is often used as a sauce and topping for a variety of dishes.
3. When Spanish missionaries named the passion fruit flower. When they first saw a passion fruit plant, they were amazed by the beautiful flowers and the way they appeared. To them, the flower structure was a symbolic element of the crucifixion of Christ, which included the crown of the thorn and the nails.
4. Passion fruit tastes best when it’s skin is slightly wrinkled. This means the inside is ripe and juicy. Eating passion fruit before the skin is wrinkly will result in the fruit tasting a bit tart or sour.
5. A passion fruit plant is a climbing vine that grows upwards extremely fast to get full sunlight. An average passion fruit plant can grow up to 20 feet high.

A PASSION FRUIT CELEBRATION

Passion fruit adds delicious flavor to a variety of food and drinks. You can add passion fruit and a little sweetener to a glass of ice water to create a refreshing summertime drink. If you enjoy homemade ice cream or sorbet, consider adding it to your recipe. Our favorite is passion fruit salad dressing. Simply add the pulp to your vinaigrette recipe and turn your salad into a tropical paradise for your taste buds.

Trying new food is always exciting. If you have never tried passion fruit, it’s time to visit your local fruit market or grocery store and pick a few up to sample.

Make National Passion Fruit Day a family celebration by hosting a tropical-themed party. Have platters of passion fruit and other various tropical fruits to eat, along with other foods native to tropical islands. Label each different platter so your guests know what you are eating.

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A Story About Passion Fruit

There is a legend in Hawaiian mythology about the goddess Pele, the deity of volcanoes and fire, and the passion fruit vine.

According to the legend, Pele had a sister named Hi’iaka, who was a hula dancer and a healer. One day, Hi’iaka went on a journey to fetch Pele’s lover, Lohi’au, from a distant island.

On her journey, Hi’iaka encountered many obstacles and temptations. During her travels, she came across a beautiful passion fruit vine laden with ripe, delicious fruits. She was drawn to the vine’s enchanting aroma and decided to take a short break to enjoy the fruits.

However, this delay caused her mission to be prolonged, which angered Pele when she finally returned. To this day, it is said that Pele, in her jealousy and rage, turned the passion fruit vine into lava rocks and scattered them across the Hawaiian islands.

The legend serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and staying focused on one’s goals, as even a brief distraction can lead to undesirable consequences.

These legends add depth and cultural significance to the humble passion fruit, making it more than just a delightful tropical fruit.

The stories tie the fruit to themes of sacrifice, love, and perseverance, adding a touch of mystique and wonder to its allure.

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Passion Fruit Cocktail

You can use this recipe when you want something light but still flavorful. If you're looking for a drink that will be perfect for your next summer party, try making this delicious Passion Fruit Cocktail with Lime and Gin.

Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Total Time:10 minutes

Servings1

Equipment

• cocktail shaker
• fine mesh strainer

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz gin or vodka optional
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice about 1 lime
• 1 Tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup
• 2-3 fresh passion fruit when you squeeze the juice out of the pulp, you should have at least 2 Tbsp
• Soda water
• 4-5 ice cubes
• Mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

• Juice the lime to obtain about 1 oz (or 2 tbsp) of fresh squeezed lime juice. A great tip for getting more juice from your lime is before you cut it open, microwave it for about 5-10 seconds. Then press down it down onto your kitchen counter or cutting board with the palm of your hand and roll it around which pressing down. You want it to get a little squishy.
• Next, cut open the passion fruit, and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. To obtain just the juice and good stuff, push the pulp through a fine-mesh strainer. Be sure to press hard against the passion fruit seeds to get as much juice and pulp as possible. Reserve the seeds to use as garnish later.
• Mix the gin or vodka (if using. leave out for a non-alcoholic version), lime juice, agave or simple syrup, and passion fruit juice in a cocktail shaker and mix well.
• Add ice cubes to a highball glass and pour in the mixture to about 2/3 - 3/4 full (depending on how strong you like your drink). Top off with soda water.
• Add mint and passion fruit seeds for garnish.

Notes

Agave syrup and simple syrup have a neutral taste. I don't recommend using honey or maple syrup, it will completely change the taste of this delicious drink.Simple syrup is made from one part water to one part sugar (1:1). To make simple syrup, add ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water to a small saucepan and cook until sugar dissolves. Let fully cool before using.

What does passion fruit taste like?

Passion fruits come in many varieties, but they all share one thing in common – they taste delicious!

They have a delicate, sweet flavor and smell like custard apples or guava with hints of honeycomb.

The flesh is soft and juicy, making them perfect for eating out of hand

How do you make just fresh juice from passion fruit?

Making people may say that passion fruit is all seeds, but there is plenty of pulp and juice to make a delicious glass of fresh passion fruit juice.

All you have to do is get a ripe passion fruit and carefully slice it in half. With the help of a spoon, scoop out the inner pulp and seed.

I recommend separating the seeds using a fine mesh strainer and using it as a garnish.

Passion fruit seeds are edible, so if you want to leave them to mix into the drink itself, that’s fine too!

Just mix the pulp and juice with some water (flat or sparkling is fine) and a natural sweetener like honey or cane sugar.

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Campfire S'mores Cocktail

A delicious drink that mimics the taste of campfire s'mores on a warm summer night. Chocolate, marshmallow, graham crackers and liquor make this delightful cocktail.

Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Ingredients

• 3 large marshmallows
• 2 tablespoons Ghirardelli's chocolate syrup
• 1 tablespoon graham cracker crumbs
• 1 oz. vodka
• 2 oz. Irish Cream
• 4 oz. milk
• Ice

Instructions

• Step 1 - Prepare the glass. Pour the chocolate syrup on a plate and roll the glass in the syrup all the way around. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over top of chocolate and set aside to allow to harden/dry.
• Step 2 - Make the cocktail. In a shaker add ice, milk, Irish cream and vodka. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds or until well-chilled.
• Step 3 - Pour the drink. Add ice to the garnished glass and Strain the cocktail into the glass.
• Step 4 - Toast the marshmallows. With a grill lighter burn each marshmallow a tad and add to the top of the drink.

Notes

• Can substitute Irish Cream for Kahlua or Bailey's.
• If you want more S'mores flavor use S'mores vodka by Three Olives or could use a Marshmallow flavored vodka.
• You could also drizzle some chocolate inside the glass before adding the cocktail.
• This recipe makes one drink but could easily be double or tripled to serve more.

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RASPBERRY ICE CREAM BOMBE

A light, refreshing and delicious bite to end a meal on, this make-ahead Raspberry Ice Cream Bombe serves eight, can be whipped up in just 15 minutes and is super budget friendly.

PREP TIME: 15 minutes 

SERVINGS: 8

EQUIPMENT

• Stick blender/ blender
• Large mixing bowl
• Electric hand wisk
• Sieve
• Sturdy spatula or metal serving spoon
• 1 medium glass or freezer-proof bowl (2 ltr if doubling the recipe)
• Clingfilm + foil
• Cake plateor plate, to serve

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pack of 8 meringue cookies 
• 300 ml whipping/heavy cream 
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar 
• 150 g frozen raspberries, defrosted (see note 1)
•  

TO SERVE / DECORATE, OPTIONAL

• Créme fraîche
• Fresh raspberries
• Sprig of fresh mint

INSTRUCTIONS

 

• Add the defrosted raspberries and icing sugar to your stick blender pot or blender. Whizz until smooth.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream using an electric whisk on a high setting until you have soft peaks.
• Sit a sieve over the cream bowl and scrape down the raspberry mixture from inside the blender pot into it. Use the back of a spoon or sturdy spatula to press down on the sieve and pass through all the raspberry puree, leaving behind the seeds. Scrape down the outside of the sieve once done and discard the seeds on the inside.
• Add the meringue nests, breaking them into small pieces as you go with your hands. Fold in with a spatula or large metal spoon until well combined.
• Line a 1ltr (medium) deep glass bowl or freezer proof bowl with a layer of foil, shaping it round the inside of the bowl with your hands, then add a layer of clingfilm (saran wrap) over that. See note 2 if doubling recipe. Then and add in the Bombe mixture. Give the bowl a gentle shake side to side also to help the mixture settle. Cover tightly with clingfilm and again with foil and then transfer to the freezer, keeping the dish level. Leave overnight or for 8 hours minimum. Remove from the freezer about 20-30 minutes before serving and lift the Bombe out by the clingfilm lining. Place on the counter. Put your plate or cake stand upside down on the flat edge of the Bombe and carefully turn the Bombe and the plate/cake stand up the right way. Once slightly softened, use a knife to cut it like a cake.

TO SERVE, OPTIONAL

• Serve the Bombe as it is or you could serve some créme fraîche in a bowl alongside it. Alternatively, you can dress the Bombe with a generous spoonful of créme fraîche on the top, some fresh raspberries and a small sprig of mint. You can also scatter some fresh raspberries around the plate or cake stand.

NOTES

Note 1: defrost raspberries at room temperature for 1-2 hoursNote 2: if doubling the recipe to serve up to 16 people, use a 2 ltr bowl, you may need to line it one way with clingfilm and then again with another piece, crossing over in the other direction.STORAGEYou can keep the Raspberry Ice Cream Bombe for up to 3 months in the freezer. Freeze leftovers on a plate wrapped tightly in clingfilm and then foil, or in a food storage bag.*the stated cost applies when items are bought from Aldi in the UK, but are subject to change.