Grenadilla - Passion Fruit Frozen

Sweet granadilla, a variety of the passion fruit, is native to the Andes Mountains. It grows at altitudes ranging from 1700 to 2600 meters above sea level, and climates ranging from 12° to 20° C and between 600 and 1000 mm of annual rain. The fruit is yellow to orange or even purple coloured with small light markings. It has a round-oval shape with a tip ending in the stem. The fruit is between 6 to 8 cm long and between 5.5 to 8 cm in diameter.

The outer shell is hard, slippery and covered with a thin coat of wax, and has soft padding on the interior to protect the seeds. The seeds (approx. 250 per fruit) are black, flat, pitted, crisp but fairly tender. They are surrounded by a gelatinous, greenish transparent pulp. The pulp, together with the seeds, is the edible part of the fruit and has a soft sweet taste, with a bit of acidity. For the table, the fruit is cut in half and the contents are eaten with a spoon.

What is the difference between sweet granadilla and passion fruit (maracuya)?

Sweet granadilla looks very similar to the yellow passion fruit, however there are several differences. The tip of this fruit ending in the stem, while of the passion fruit does not. The seeds of sweet granadilla are surrounded by transparent greenish jelly-liked pulp instead of orange pulp. The outer shell are much harder and it does not wrinkle when ripens as in the case of the passion fruit. But the main difference is the taste. Although one can recognise the unmistakable aroma of the passion fruit, granadilla is much more sweeter and is crunchy seeds are edible.

Uses: Sweet granadilla is eaten mainly fresh. The pulp can be mixed with ice cream, yogurt, fruit or vegetable salads, as well as cocktails. Sweet granadilla is also used to prepare marmelade, jellies, juice, pulp or concentrate. Sweet granadilla juice is an excellent food for babies.