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HISTORYPassion fruit are native to the area from southern Brazil through Paraguay to northern Argentina. They were known in Australia by the late nineteenth century from where the seeds were taken to Hawaii. Passion fruit is now an important commercial crop in Florida, California, Kenya and South Africa. BIOLOGYThe familiar purple passion fruit come from Passiflora edulis; a climbing plant that vigorously spreads its tendrils across all surfaces. The variety flavicarpa produces yellow-skinned fruit. NUTRITIONPassion fruit are rich in vitamins A and C and are a good source of potassium and iron. The seeds are high in fiber. TIPSBUYING STORING Both the fruit and juice freeze well. Ice cubes made from the juice diluted with an equal volume of water can be served with fresh fruit juices or to enliven a glass of water. PREPARING A syrup made by boiling down the diluted juice with a little sugar further intensifies the flavor and makes a wonderful fruit salad dressing or cocktail ingredient. OTHER STUFFTests have shown that passion fruit juice has a slight sedative effect as a result of the combination of glycosides and flavonoids present. Both the juice and the flowers of the plant have been used in remedies to treat anxiety and high blood pressure. According to Antonio Bernardes' A Pocket Book of Brazilian Herbs: "2 glasses of juice will naturally calm down the most hyperactive child, and for this reason it is highly valued by Brazilian mothers." PICK OF THE RECIPES
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main regions: California, Hawaii
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