Giant granadilla facts | Health Benefits

Giant granadilla is widely known for its fruits that are large and weigh up to 9 lb (4 kg). When it is matured, it turns into medium yellow to light yellow. The hand pollination is essential for the best fruiting. The fruit is consumed fresh and used in drinks. Unripe fruits are consumed as a vegetable. The vine is perennial and exotic which survives for a short time in 1°C or 35°F. Giant granadilla is also called Giant tumbo or Badea. There are various names for Giant granadilla in various countries which differs from one to another. It is called Barbadine in Trinidad.

Name	Giant granadilla
Scientific Name	Passiflora quadrangularis
Native	Neotropics
Common/English Name	Square-stemmede passion flower, Giant granadilla, Granadilla
Name in Other Languages	Chinese: da guo xi fan lian; French: barbadine; Mangarevan: para patina; Maori (Cook Islands): kūkuma; Niuean: palasini; Palauan: kudamono; Samoan: pasio; Spanish: badea; Tahitian: para pautini; Tongan: pāsione; Tongarevan (written): pārapōtini; Tongarevan (spoken): pālapōtini
Plant Growth Habit	erbaceous vine, glabrous, woody at base
Growing Climate	Mild temperature
Soil	Well-drained
Plant Size	Length: 10-15 m
Lifespan	Perennial, 5-7 years
Stem	Quadrangular
Stipules	Ovate to lanceolate, 2-4 cm
Leaf	Broad to ovate or oblong to ovate; Width: 3 ¼- 6 inch (8.25-15 cm); Length: 4-8 inch (10-20 cm); smooth; bright green
Flower	Campanulate, Diameter: 7-10 cm; white tinged with pink or purple; filamentous
Fruit shape & size	Oblong, Length: 20-30 cm; Width: 10-20 cm
Fruit weight	4 kg (9 lb)
Fruit color	Greenish to white to pale or deep yellow
Flesh color	White or pink; Thick: 1-1 1/2 inch (2.5-4 cm)
Fruit peel	Thin and delicate
Flavor/aroma	Mellow, sub-acidic
Fruit Taste	Mild sweet
Seed	Numerous, flattened to oval, Length: 7-10 mm; purplish to brown
Major Nutritions	Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 70.8 mg (78.67%) Iron, Fe 0.8 mg (10.00%) Phosphorus, P 17.1 mg (2.44%) Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 0.378 mg (2.36%) Calcium, Ca 13.8 mg (1.38%)
Health Benefits	Skin health Absorbs minerals Chances of gout Free radicals Prevent colds Immunity Treats cancer Treats stroke Performance
Traditional uses	The fruit is used as stomachic and antiscorbutic. Flesh provides relief from nervous headache, diarrhea, asthma, dysentery etc. The leaf decoction treats skin disorder. The leaf poultice is useful for liver complaints. The fruit provides relief from stomachic and scurvy. The leaf extract treats intestinal problems. It is used to aid congestive heart failure. The juice extracted from fruit is used as eyewash for sore eyes.
Precautions	Consultancy of doctor is essential before eating this fruit. Some side effects are vomiting, nausea, rapid heartbeat and drowsiness. Pregnant women should avoid Giant granadilla. The flower might raise the effect of herbals and drugs that enhance sleepiness.
How to Eat	Fruit is eaten fresh or added to drinks. The leaves are used to make tea. Fruits are added to ice-cream and drinks. It is consumed as a dessert. The flesh is also used to make jelly and the fruits are used to make wines. The roots are a perfect substitute for yams. The pulp is used to make sherbet.
Other Facts	It is a type of squash fruit which has a mild melony essence. It has got various names. It has various names in the U.S. only.

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