Banana passion fruit: what is this food and why is it illegal in some places?

The banana passion fruit is a fruit of the passion flower genus, native to South America, which grows mainly in the Andes. Despite having a format banana, its interior is very similar to that of a passion fruit. It is considered a weed and its cultivation is illegal in some places. Keep reading to learn more about this food.

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Nutritional history and composition

This fruit originates from the tropical and subtropical Andean regions of South America, more specifically from Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and eastern Colombia. It was first introduced to the United States in 1920 when the Department of Agriculture won a handful of seeds from Ecuador and Colombia.

It is a vigorous vine that easily grows to six to eight meters in height or spread. They are very aromatic and have a very pleasant taste. One advantage is that the fruits can be preserved for several days after harvesting. In addition, the way to consume it can be quite varied. It is even possible to use them in natura or as sweets, but also in juices, desserts, etc.

The fruits of passion fruit banana are also known as “Curuba” in Colombia and Bolivia, “Parcha” in Venezuela, “Tacso” in Ecuador and “Tumbo” in Peru. In Hawaii they are called “Banana Poka”. A curiosity is that the flowers of the plant are also cultivated to serve as ornamental roses.

As for the nutritional composition, the fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C, fiber and antioxidants. It also contains important minerals like iron, calcium and phosphorus. In addition, it has carbohydrates and a little protein.

Places where passionfruit-banana trade is illegal

It is legal to sell and distribute this fruit in places like New Zealand and Hawaii because it is considered an invasive species. It turns out that passion fruit banana vines grow and kill many native plants as they block their access to sunlight due to their rapid growth and vertical vine positioning.

In fragile ecosystems such as the islands of Hawaii and Kauai, the seeds are often spread by birds and wild pigs. As a result, the plant has already occupied 520 square kilometers of native forest.