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Text: Twilight wine
Edited by Twilight Wine
Preface
It is often said that the honor of "the VC king of fruits" belongs to passion fruit, but few people know that it is a tropical fruit rich in 17 amino acids, rich in protein, fat, sugar, vitamins, and minerals.
And this egg-like fruit, in the tropical and subtropical regions, it is the "king of juice"! Today, let's take a look at this nutritious, aromatic and delicious food.
The king of juices
First of all, let's get acquainted with the physical characteristics of this "king of juices". Passion fruit is a herbaceous vine that grows about 6 meters. It has fine stripes on its stems, and the leaves are papery, somewhat palmately divided, and the leaf margins are serrate.
What is striking is its egg-like fruit, which is about 3-4 centimeters in diameter and has a beautiful purple color when ripe. The fruit has many ovoid seeds inside, and it is really a small fruit with good color and aroma.
Passion fruit is not only beautiful, but its taste is also quite unique. The flowering season is in June, and the fruiting period is in November. At this time, the flowers of passion fruit are fragrant, about 4 centimeters in diameter, and have attractive colors of pale green, purple and white.
When the fruit is ripe, it has an attractive purple color on the outside and a juicy flesh on the inside, with aromas of various fruits, including bananas, pineapples, pomegranates, and more. It's no wonder that passion fruit is known as "passion fruit".
First of all, it has high requirements for temperature, and the most suitable growth temperature is between 20 °C ~ 30 °C.
Although it can survive in temperatures not lower than 0°C, in cold weather of -2°C, plants can be damaged and may even die. Therefore, passion fruit is more ideal for growing in warm, humid regions, such as some tropical regions in southern China.
Passion fruit is also a small and demanding guy with a need for water. Generally speaking, the place where the annual rainfall is between 1500~2000 mm is the place where it grows best. Of course, it is highly drought tolerant, but if it is dry, it still needs a moderate amount of irrigation. Don't let this juice king thirsty!
Light is also crucial for passion fruit. In places with 2300~2800 hours of sunshine per year, passion fruit grows particularly well, so in sunny places, you can expect a good harvest for this "king of juices".
Now let's talk about the "life Xi" of passion fruit. Passion fruit is dioecious, meaning that the female flowers bear fruit, while the male flowers are used for pollination. At this time, bees and insects become its "helpers", helping to pollinate effectively.
In addition to being used as a raw fruit, passion fruit can also be used to make vegetables and feed, in fact, its uses are more than that. The juice of passion fruit is very colorful, and calcium bicarbonate and sugar can be added to make a sweet and delicious drink. Even its seeds can be extracted for oil for consumption and for soap, paint, and other uses.
For those who like to DIY, you can also make a delicious passion fruit drink with fresh passion fruit. First, wash the passion fruit and scoop out the pulp for later use.
Then prepare two lemons, wash them and scrub them with salt and cut them into thin slices. Next, take a clean glass bottle and layer lemon slices, passion fruit pulp, honey and rock sugar into the bottle.
Finally, store in the refrigerator. After two or three days, you can take out the soaked water and drink, it is fresh and refreshing, delicious, and it is more safe to make it yourself.
Shape and variety
Passion fruit grows on a grassy vine that is about 6 meters long and has thin stripes on the stem, giving the whole plant a vibrant green color. Its leaves are papery and beautiful, palm-like and deeply lobed, and the edges of the lobes show a finely serrated inward curved glandular tip, as if it were a unique botanical painting.
And passion fruit flowers are even more fascinating. The flowers are about 4 cm in diameter and have 5 petals, which are layered in color, forming a unique beauty. The flowering season is in June, when the orchard is like a sea of flowers, and the fragrance is overflowing.
In terms of varieties, passion fruit is mainly divided into two categories: purple fruit and yellow fruit. Purple fruit is usually the appearance of passion fruit that we are familiar with, and the fruit is purple, while yellow fruit attracts many fruit lovers with its characteristic yellow and green appearance.
Growing environment needs
Passion fruit has a certain need for the growing environment, let's take a look at what kind of conditions it likes.
The first is temperature. The most suitable growing temperature for passion fruit is 20°C~30°C, which is a relatively warm range. It has limited resistance to cold and can be severely affected below 0°C, and may even die. Therefore, passion fruit can only show its best growth in warm climates.
Water is another key factor in passion fruit growth. Although it is drought tolerant, passion fruit vine and fruit development can be affected in the event of drought. Therefore, when cultivating passion fruit, care should be taken to keep it moderately moist.
Light is one of the conditions that passion fruit prefers. In areas with plenty of sunshine, it grows more vigorously and the fruit is fuller.
Soil is also one of the factors that affect the growth of passion fruit. It is not harsh on the soil, but it is best to have a fertile, loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5~6.5. In such soils, passion fruit is able to absorb nutrients and exhibit optimal growth.
Nutritional value and uses
Passion fruit is not only delicious, but it is also rich in various nutrients that are beneficial to the human body. It is rich in 17 amino acids, 165 substances that are beneficial to the human body.
Not only that, passion fruit also has a range of medical benefits. It is believed to be stimulating, strong, and the juice in the pulp can be made into an aromatic and delicious drink when added with the right amount of calcium bicarbonate and sugar. This makes passion fruit not only a delicious addition to the fruit plate, but also a great addition to the drink.
In addition, passion fruit seeds can also be pressed for oil, which can not only be used for food, but also for soap, paint, and many other aspects. The flowers are large and beautiful, and although they are not scented, they also have a place as garden ornamental plants. In some regions, passion fruit is known as the "king of juices" and "cash cow", which fully demonstrates its important position in people's minds.
The trick to tasting passion fruit is to get a few tips. Common passion fruit often looks a little wrinkled on the outside of fruit stands, but this does not mean that they are outdated, on the contrary, it may be that they have reached their best state. The deliciousness of passion fruit requires some waiting, like waiting for the flowers to bloom, and eating it when the skin is wrinkled is the sweetest.
Author's point of view
The wonderful world of passion fruit is full of attraction from its appearance to its connotation, from its growth requirements to its eating methods. Let's enjoy the unique style of this king of fruits in a sea of tropical fruits.
Whether purchased at the market or grown at home, passion fruit will be an indispensable and delicious choice on your table.