That Sweet Yellow Passion

Is there a better taste in the world than a glass of yellow juice freshly squeezed after a long hike? That first sip is life! This very tasty juice, which can be drank without sugar as it is often sweet enough already, originates from the passion fruit (Passiflora edulis).

‌The common type found in the Virungas is the purple passion fruit. It’s original green colour turns to purple when ripe. While they used to grow in the wild, and to some extent still do, today this vine plant is actively grown by farmers as a source of income. Government programs especially encourage women and other vulnerable groups to grow passion fruits.

‌The plant thrives in sub-tropical soils, of which our region has in plenty. It is averse to frosty conditions. Since it is a vine, as it grows, one has to plant stalks in the garden on which the vine snake their way into the light. It needs 8-12 months to grow to maturity before it starts flowering and fruiting.

‌So plentiful are passion fruits in the Virungas that you can snap up one for USD 50 cents in any fresh food market. Passion fruit juice is the preferred non-alcoholic drink of choice in many hotels and restaurants, quite filling and tasting sweeter than orange juice with just a hint of tang.

‌Moreover, passion fruits are highly prized for their nutritious content of vitamin C, proteins, carbohydrates and potassium. Locals have for generations used passion fruit leaves to treat stomach cramps: you pick the leaves, crash them in mortar, add a little water, sieve and drink three times a day.

‌Many children in the Virungas are too impatient to go through the ritual of making passion fruit juice. This hard shelled fruit can be eaten off the tree, if you wish. As the fruit turns purple with age, the shell becomes crinkled and easy to tear apart with your teeth or finger nails, like a clamshell. With a hole in the shell, you can squeeze the juice and seeds straight into your mouth.

Be careful, however, not to press the passion fruit shell too hard as it is likely to pop open and stain your shirt! Or you could simply wait for the fruit salad helping awaiting for at the guesthouse …

text and photo by Owen Bright

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