Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Mighty Passion Fruit (Lilikoi)


My father used to grow this thing on a fence in our back yard. It grew wild. The fruit proliferated. He made juice from it. As a kid, I would pick the fruit and rascally throw it at others. The other kids in the neighborhood had a blast throwing the fruit, especially the overly ripe ones, at each others' heads. I can still picture the yellow, slimy pulp oozing down my neighbor's smiling face.

Little did I know, that I was wasting a great source of polyphenols on someone's cranium. Yes, this exotic fruit from South America is packed with tons of antioxidants, polyphenol being the primary one. Green tea is also chock full of this anti-cancer compound. Passion fruit is known as a remedy for high blood pressure, arterial blockage, asthma, and even a metabolism booster for overweight people.

The fruit, dried leaves, and flowers also have a calming effect on the body. Many drink passion fruit tea before they sleep at night in order to promote better rest. Only fruit can do this: promote metabolism and restfulness at the same time. That's why nature is our best medicine cabinet.

I ate some this morning and I still feel the boost of energy flowing through my body, but I am not jittery. It's better than caffeine! Maybe that's why they call it passion fruit. It gets your blood pumping and body resting for optimum performance. It's better than Viagra! Ha! This has not been medically proven, but it does increase your sense of well-being. I feel great right now. I really do.

Next time you walk through an open market or a specialty fruit store, look for some fresh passion fruit. It will add some bravado and pep to your life, as well as a healthy dose of vitamin C. Don't let the seeds deter you, just slurp them down. It has the perfect blend between sweet and sour. Malama Pono

4 comments:

  1. Oh I love this stuff! Reminds me of hiking in the mountains of Hauula in my teens and twenties when I used to work summer camps. Picked the stuff fresh off the vine and suck out the guts with the juice sticky everywhere and warm from the sun...YUM!

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  2. Awesome! I know what you mean.

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  3. I have JUST started integrating lilikoi into my diet every day. There is a tree I seek in the morning and when I find the fruit, I eat it.

    So far I've had it raw, in juice w/ a little maple syrup and today mixed with yogurt!

    I am a little overweight, slowing metabolism due to age and am in a health recovery process. I'm excited to see what the gift from the 'aina will be for me health-wise.

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  4. this is interesting. i recommend Markizza Passion fruit juice on Amazon. the taste is just perfect.

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