Passion Fruit

PRODUCT  NAME

PASSION FRUITS

Species: Passiflora edulis

ORIGIN

The origin of the Passion Fruit plant is unknown but it is generally believed to be native to Brazil where 16th Century Spanish Catholics named it “Flor de las cinco llagas” or “flower of the five wounds” after its distinctive purple flower.

DESCRIPTION

The fruits should be flesh, fully developed with a purple/brown, not green skin. The skin should not be wrinkled. 40 – 50mm diameter, though a narrower range may be specified with different counts per carton. The average weight of a fruit ranges between 30g to 50g. They should be free from pests, diseases, discoloration, and chemical residuals, off taints or foreign odours, soil, dirt or other extraneous matter.

NUTRITION VALUE

Raw passion fruit is 73% water, 22% carbohydrates, 2% protein and 0.7% fat (table). In a 100 gram amount, fresh passion fruit contains 36% of the Daily Value (DV) of vitamin C, 42% dietary fiber, B vitamins riboflavin (11% DV) and niacin (10% DV), 12% iron and 10% phosphorus

PRODUCT SAMPLE

 Passion fruits packed in a box.

PROCESSING

DESCRIPTION

The fruits stalks are trimmed while sorting out the defective ones. They are then wiped with clean clothes to remove soil and other extraneous matter. The fruits are then graded into sizes and packed into cartons according to the customer specifications. Boxes should contain fruit of uniform size. Sheets of paper should separate layers of fruit. Some clients want fruit packed in clear plastic lidded punnets or micro- perforated bags, with four fruits to a pack, or even individually wrapped The product is then weighed, sealed/ wrapped/covered with a top, labeled, cooled and finally dispatched.

PACKAGING

Various forms including loose in corrugated boxes, punnets, BOPP or MAP bags depending on the customer requirements.

LABELING REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO FOOD SAFETY

Origin, Product name, Trace information, Display until, Origin, Variety, Barcodes, address all as per specification

STORAGE &

SHELF LIFE

The fruits are stored and distributed at ambient temperatures of about 20 – 25^oC.

Ripening passion fruit can be stored for 3 – 5 weeks at 7 -10^oC in 90-95% relative humidity. Fully ripe passion fruit can be held for up to one week at 5-7^oC

INTENDED USE

The fruits should be washed before consumption and can be consumed by all age groups and categories of people. The fruits are cut into two and consumed as such or a juice extracted from them.

POTENTIAL FOR CUSTOMER MISUSE

Not washed with portable water before consumption. Using after the recommended shelf life.

Chilling damage occurs below 5^oC.Passion fruit are very high producers of ethylene, and it is imperative that they are not stored or transported with any produce that is sensitive to ethylene.