Global Food Myths #2: Is passion fruit and maracuja the same fruit?

LSG Group experts clarify food myths from around the world – Episode 2 is about passion fruits and maracujas

It is about the size of a golf ball, dark purple or light brown in color, somewhat wrinkly and its flesh is bright yellow: the so-called maracuja decorates fruit shelves in supermarkets, labels on juice bottles and ice cream packaging – a very familiar sight. Sometimes, however, the exotic fruit is also sold as a passion fruit. So what is right and what is an unnoticed error? Mathieu Castex, Manager Corporate Culinary Excellence and dessert expert at LSG Group, tells us more.

“The fruit, often referred to as a maracuja, is in fact a passion fruit. It belongs to the same family, but they are completely different fruits,” says Castex. The real maracuja, also known as yellow granadilla, is yellow to green in color and resembles a tennis ball in size. Its flesh is less luminous and tastes slightly more acidic.

This, coupled with their high yield quotas, makes them a popular component of syrups. Maracuja is also suitable for desserts that need an ingredient to counterbalance their sweet components. Because of its rather unspectacular appearance, however, the sweeter passion fruit, also known as purple granadilla, is often preferred on most packaging. Such a practice, however, is not completely wrong due to the close relationship between the fruits.

The “Global Food Myths” is an ongoing series. We will drill down on a specific urban legend about food, drinks or table culture every Friday. Stay tuned for more!