Not only do passion fruits offer an exquisite taste, but they also make the perfect complement to improve the taste of your home-cooked meals.
You may even find yourself eating them on their own, which isn’t exactly smart since they are very high in sugar.
But how do you know whether or not a passion fruit is ripe?
And what does “ripe” mean anyway?
We’ll answer all of these questions and more so you can enjoy this tasty treat.
What color should a ripe passion fruit be?
A ripe passion fruit will be deep gold in color.
It shouldn’t be lighter than yellow or red, nor darker than orange.
Ripe passion fruit should feel slightly soft to the touch and have a strong aroma.
They should also have a deep-golden color with no blemishes present.
The pulp should be smooth.
You want a passion fruit that doesn’t have any seeds inside, as these seeds are poisonous.
What does a ripe passion fruit smell like?
The aroma of a ripe passion fruit should be sweet and fragrant, much like freshly brewed coffee.
When you cut into a ripe passion fruit, you’ll notice its pulp smells sweet and musky.
What does a ripe passion fruit taste like?
When you bite into a ripe passion fruit, you’ll find yourself wanting to keep going back for another piece.
Its juicy texture makes it easy to sink your teeth into.
This fruit tastes rich and fruity, with hints of vanilla, spice, and citrus.
There’s a definite sweetness to this tropical fruit, but it isn’t overwhelming since it’s mixed with sourness from the acid.
How do you know when a passion fruit is ripe?
One thing about passion fruits that makes them different from other fruits is that they don’t ripen after they’ve been harvested.
Instead, they go bad quickly once they’re picked.
So, if you buy a fresh passion fruit at the grocery store, you need to use it within two days.
Once it starts losing its moisture, it won’t last long.
You can tell if a passion fruit is ripe by looking for one that is slightly soft to the touch and has a deep, golden color.
The fruit should also have a strong aroma.
The pulp should be smooth.
You want a passion fruit that doesn’t have any seeds inside, as these seeds are poisonous.
Is a passion fruit ripe when it is soft?
If a passion fruit is soft enough to bend before it breaks, then it’s ready to eat.
But you want to avoid getting juice all over your fingers (or anyone else who eats the fruit) because the juice of a passion fruit is acidic.
How long does it take for a passion fruit to ripen?
While there are many factors that affect the ripening process, there’s a general rule of thumb:
The longer the fruit stays on the vine, the faster it will ripen.
This means that if you buy your passion fruit on a hot day, you should expect it to be less ripe than if you bought it during cooler weather.
Also, the time frame for getting a passion fruit ripe varies depending on where you live.
In the northern hemisphere, the average life span of a passion fruit is around 30 days, while most people say it takes 10 to 14 days for a passion fruit to reach maturity in the southern hemisphere.
What happens if you eat an unripe passion fruit?
There’s always the risk of getting sick if you consume something that hasn’t been properly prepared.
Since passion fruit contains cyanide, the best way to ensure you don’t get sick is to cook it.
If you don’t have a recipe handy, try boiling a passion fruit until it is mushy.
Then strain out the seeds and mash up the pulp with water and lemon juice. It should be served cold.
Can you ripen a passion fruit by putting it in a paper bag?
People often put passion fruit in paper bags to speed up the ripening process.
However, this is only effective if you place it directly under heat lamps.
The light will accelerate the growth of the fruit’s skin cells, which ultimately leads to quicker ripening.
But this method can only be used for a couple of days.
How do you store a ripe passion fruit?
Once you’ve eaten a passion fruit, you’ll probably want to use a glass container to store leftovers.
Make sure you wash the container first with soap and warm water to remove any bacteria that could spread.
Place the fruit in the container and cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
Keep the container in a cool, dark place.
After about 24 hours, the passion fruit should be ready to use again.
What can you make with a ripe passion fruit?
Fruit salad
Chop and combine ripe passion fruit, pineapple, mangoes, kiwis, strawberries, bananas, and grapes along with ice cubes, yogurt, and honey to create a refreshing summertime dessert.
Ice cream
A ripe passion fruit can easily replace the banana in your favorite homemade ice cream recipe, giving it a tropical flair. Just remember to chop the fruit before mixing it into the ice cream base.
Salsa
Combine chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeños, cilantro, lime, salt, and pepper together with diced, ripe passion fruit.
Add oil and vinegar for extra zest and serve.
Cocktail sauce
Combine chopped tomato, garlic, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper with a few squirts of lemon juice and a dash of Worcestershire sauce to create a flavorful cocktail sauce.
Mixed fruit salad
Combine sliced apples, peaches, pears, nectarines, cherries, bananas, and oranges together with a little rum to create a fruity salad perfect for summer picnics.
For more information on passion fruit, check out these related posts:
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10 ways to eat a passion fruit without having to peel it.
How to make Passion fruit juice
Equipment
- 1 Pot
Ingredients
- 6-8 passion fruits
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup sugar
Instructions
- Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need fresh passion fruits, water, and sugar. If you cannot find fresh passion fruits, you can use frozen ones instead.
- Wash the passion fruits and cut them in half. Scoop out the flesh and seeds into a blender.
- Add water and sugar to the blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the juice into a glass and enjoy! You can also add ice cubes if you like.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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