Scientifically known as Passiflora edulis, passion fruit is a captivating tropical fruit loved and cherished by many.
It inherited the name passion many years ago when Spanish missionaries in South America saw the unique flower of the plant.
According to the missionaries, the exterior structure looked like the crown of thorns placed on Jesus's head, hence seeing it as a symbol of the Passion of Christ.
There are several existing species of passion fruit, but the two primary types are purple passion fruit and yellow passion fruit.
The purple variety boasts a thick, purple rind, and its aromatic, jelly-like pulp is filled with black seeds. In contrast, the yellow passion fruit features a smooth, yellow rind with a tangy and sweet pulp, making it a preferred choice for juices and desserts.
Nutritionally, passion fruit, also known as tunda la sahuku in Swahili, is a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and essential minerals such as potassium and iron.