APPEARANCE 
Extremely wrinkled, purplish, greenish, reddish oval fruit about the size of the palm of my hand (I know you don’t really know how big that is, just guess). Bright yellow goo (flesh) with dark seeds.
AROMA
Exotic and heady. I want to bathe in this smell.
TEXTURE
Gelatinous and seedy with a good amount of juice. Extremely odd texture compared to most fruit.
TASTE
Pretty tart, in fact I would say it comes dangerously close to being sour. Tropical and pineapple-y and lemon-y and delicious.
OVERALL
This is one instance where my structured rating system sort of fails me. I largely rate on snackability and this one is pretty low as far as that goes. Plus it looks hideous, has an extremely odd texture and is lobbying for the “most annoying seeds of all time” award (other competitors: Wonderful Pomegranate and Cocktail Grapefruit). However, it tastes completely amazing. I’ve never had anything like it and I want to sprinkle a little bit of it into everything I am drinking, pour it on top of ice cream, dip cookies in it, spread it on grilled cheese sandwiches and – oh my it is just delicious. I am smitten.
FRUIT
Passion Fruit
VARIETY
Frederick
PEAK
All Year (intermittent)
ORIGIN
South America
GROWN
Vista, CA
PURCHASED
Farmer’s Market
NOTES
I am struggling to write notes on this because seeing the word “Frederick” next to “Passion” reminds me clearly of Frederick’s of Hollywood. But the interesting folklore about passion fruit is all about how the flower is a representation of Christ and the Crucifixion Somehow it seems inappropriate to talk about both of these things in such close proximity. Oh well–too late now.
WHERE TO GET THEM
You can buy Passion Fruit at some standard grocery stores and local specialty stores and online here. If you get them online, a small amount will go to support the Fruit Maven. So thanks in advance!
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Arwen Lettkeman // Jan 13, 2010 at 3:48 pm
I first ate these in Australia and promptly renamed them “snot balls”. I love them…as long as I don’t look at them while I am eating
Fruit Maven // Jan 14, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Makes me want to build a snotman and have a snot ball fight. Oh southern california – see what you make me resort too by depriving me of winter.
jay hembree // Jul 23, 2010 at 9:11 am
i,ve just planted (7-15-10)a fredericks passion plant was reading the information on line about the fruit . one question what about the seed ? are they eatable are must they be removed ?
thank u
jay
Fruit Maven // Dec 8, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Hi Jay – sorry for the extremely delayed response. You CAN eat the seeds, but I don’t happen to like the texture or taste. I think they could work in a salad or something though.