Sweet granadilla

Sweet Granadilla (Passiflora ligularis) is a species of Passiflora, native to the Andes mountains between Bolivia, Venezuela and Colombia. It grows as far south as northern Argentina and as far north as Mexico. Outside of its native range it grows in the tropical mountains of Africa and Australia (where they are known as passionfruit), and is now common in local markets of Papua New Guinea, where it is known as 'sugar fruit'. It is cultivated commercially in the Caribbean, Israel and the Andean states.

Description

The Sweet Granadilla has an oval shape, similar to that of the Granadilla. It has a hard shell which encloses a jelly-like pulp containing black seeds. The fruit is sweet, hence its name, and it is edible, consumed fresh and used in juices, desserts and salads.

Cultivation

The plant is a fast-growing, climbing vine, which is grown for its fruit. It prefers a tropical or subtropical climate, with plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. The plant is propagated by seeds, which are sown in a light, sandy soil. They germinate in 2-3 weeks and the plants start to bear fruit in 1-3 years.

Nutritional Value

The fruit is rich in Vitamin C and dietary fiber. It also contains a good amount of potassium and iron, making it beneficial for health.

Uses

Apart from being consumed fresh, the fruit is also used in various culinary applications. It is used to make juices, desserts, salads, and sauces. It is also used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments.

See Also

• Passiflora
• Granadilla
• Passionfruit