Passionfruit
Two varieties of this Brazilian native are cultivated in a few areas of tropical Asia. Because of its limited geographical range, it is not very common
The Indonesian variety(P edulis forma edulis) has two forms-one with a purple skin called markisa and one with a yellow-orange shell with a mass of juicy translucent pulp surrounding edible greyish seeds called konyal. The fresh raw fruit, with a sweet, almost milky flavour, can be scooped out with a spoon. The variety grown in the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand(P edulis forma flavicarpa) is egg-shaped with a lemon-coloured shell, golden flesh and shiny black seeds. If picked too soon, the flavour can be a little sharp and acidic
The passionfruit was named by Spanish missionaries who thought that the striking purple flowers symbolised the passion of Christ, the three central stigmas represent- ing the three nails, the feathery corona the crown of thorns, and the five anthers the five wounds.