Lilikoi (a.k.a. passionfruit or Passiflora edulis in Latin, or maracuja in Spanish) is one of the most beloved fruits in Hawaii but a lot of people are reluctant to try it because it looks like nothing that they have seen before.
What is Hawaiian Lilikoi?
Definition of Lilikoi
Passiflora edulis forma flavicarpa is the scientific name for the yellow Passion Fruit most frequently grown in Hawaii. It is a small roundish fruit that grows on a vine, has many seeds, and is used most often to make juice.
Does passion fruit taste Lilikoi?
Although yellow passionfruit is not an entirely distinct species from purple passion fruit, yellow passionfruit (the one known as lilikoi) is slightly larger in size, has yellow skin and has a bit more tart taste. In most other ways, yellow passionfruit is pretty similar to the purple passion fruit.
What part of the Lilikoi do you eat?
Basically, to eat lilikoi fruit you cut through the center and scoop out the inside seeds and runny fruit, mostly juicy flesh. The seeds are also edible so you can eat with the juice and flesh.
What’s another name for passion fruit?
Passiflora edulis, commonly known as passion fruit, is a vine species of passion flower native to southern Brazil through Paraguay and northern Argentina. It is cultivated commercially in tropical and subtropical areas for its sweet, seedy fruit.
Why is passion fruit called Lilikoi?
The word “lilikoi” comes from the Hawaiian language, and it means “passion fruit.” It’s named after the Passionflower plant, where lilikoi fruit comes from. Lilikoi is considered a “superfood” because of its many nutritional benefits.
What do they call passion fruit in Hawaii?
lilikoi
It’s passion fruit season in the Islands! Although the purple passion fruit carries a Hawaiian name (lilikoi), passion fruit vines first came to Hawaii from Australia around 1880. However, the purple fruit itself originates from Brazil.
What is Lilikoi good for?
Health Benefits Of Lilikoi
The fruit is a rich source of antioxidants, especially Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Vitamin C supports a healthy immune system and helps slow down the aging process, while Vitamin A is a crucial element for good eyesight.
How do you know when Lilikoi is ripe?
How Do I Know When Passion Fruit is Ripe? Passion fruit is most ripe when it appears all wrinkly and is a dark purple or dark yellowy-red in color – not what you are usually looking for in a ready-to-eat fruit, but true here. Green passion fruit are unripe and can be left on the counter for 3-7 days to ripen.
Who brought Lilikoi to Hawaii?
Liliko’i is not, however, native to Hawaii. The fruit is believed to originate from South America and was brought by seafarers to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1920s.
Is passion fruit good for your liver?
Passion fruit is full of antioxidants, which can help protect your liver from damage. These antioxidants also help to detoxify the liver and remove harmful toxins. Additionally, passion fruit can help to improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation.
Is it OK to swallow passion fruit seeds?
To eat a passion fruit raw, cut it in half and use a spoon to remove the pulp from the rind. The rind is not edible. People can eat both the seeds and the pulp, or just the pulp.
What do Puerto Ricans call passion fruit?
Parcha
Parcha (passion fruit)
Which passion fruit is the best?
Passionfruit – Sweet Granadilla
Regarded as the best tasting passionfruit in the world. The hard-shelled orange-yellow fruit is of excellent quality and has a white aromatic pulp. Production begins in 2 to 3 years.
What is passion fruit called in Mexico?
Maracuyá
Maracuyá, also known as passion fruit in English, is one of the many exotic fruits of Mexico. It is grown in the tropical and semi-tropical regions of Mexico, like Oaxaca and the Yucatán Península.
Where do Lilikoi grow?
Lilikoi is a vigorous vine that produces exquisite flowers and delicious fruit. Native to Brasil, Paraguay, and Argentina, lilikoi grows throughout tropics. The Hawaiian acquisition came by way of Australia in 1923. The common local name Liliko’i comes from the area of Maui where it was first grown.
How do you grow Lilikoi?
Lilikoi grow fast, but only if they have enough nutrients. Even with fertile soil, you’ll want to add some organic, slow-release fertilizer, compost, and mulch. They’re hungry plants for sure. Next, make sure that you plant lilikoi near something the vines can climb on.
What fruit are native to Hawaii?
Believe it or not, Hawaii has four distinct seasons, all of which produce different types of tropical fruit. FALL: breadfruit, citrus, dragon fruit, jackfruit, passionfruit, starfruit. WINTER: breadfruit, citrus, longan, mangosteen, rambutan. SPRING: avocados, chocolate sapote, citrus, lychee, mangosteen, star apple.
How do you eat passion fruit?
To eat this tropical fruit, you need to slice or rip open the rind to expose the colorful, juicy flesh and seeds. The seeds are edible, so you can eat them together with the flesh and juice. The white film separating the rind from the flesh is edible as well, but most people don’t eat it, as it’s very bitter.
Where on Hawaii is passion fruit grown?
East Maui
In Hawaiian, the fruit is called lilikoi, and in Portuguese, maracuja peroba. When the seeds of purple passionfruit first came to Hawaii from Australia in 1880, they were planted in East Maui in the District of Lilikoi and that name stayed with the fruit.
Is passion fruit good for kidneys?
Nutrients. Passion fruit also gives your body calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and folate. These help your kidneys, nerves, muscles, and heart rhythm in big ways.