I just met my first Passion Fruit today and…WOW! Four Palms Ranch is growing them in Fallbrook and they kindly brought me by some to try. 
After trying about 8 or so…I’m in love! Passion Fruit can’t be judged their outward appearance – with their wrinkly, tough skins on the outside – but just like some people, they are very sweet and tender once you get past the first impression! And the more wrinkled they become on the outside, the sweeter their fruit is on the inside. Hmmmm….
How do you eat them? You’ll need a knife and a spoon. Slice them across the middle and dig in. My friend told me they would pick them in Hawaii when she was a kid and her mom would make jam, flavor their water, and even mix them with butter for her toast. Doesn’t that sound amazing?
And to top it off, they have some really significant health benefits:
The juice and the leaves of passion fruit contain the alkaloids which has blood pressure lowering, sedative and antispasmodic effects. They also contain phytochemicals which are anti-carcinogenic and some studies have shown extracts of the peel to reduce asthma symptoms. Another study has shown the peel extract to reduce pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis. Of course, I don’t know about eating the peel straight!
And here’s something for you trivia buffs…
When Spanish explored South America they discovered that passion fruit was used in native folk medicine as a sedative. When the Spanish brought the passion fruit to Europe the leaves were used as a sleep-inducing medicine. The name ‘Passion’ was given by Catholic missionaries in South America. The corona threads of the passion flower were seen as a symbol of the crown of thorns, the five stamens for wounds, the five petals and five sepals as the ten apostles (excluding Judas and Peter) and the three stigmas for the nails on the cross.
Thank you Farmer Larry for brightening my day with your Passion Fruit!