Giant Granadilla (Passiflora quadrangularis L.)

Discover this wonderfully weird underdog fruit of the pineapple discovery era. Giant granadilla (Passiflora quadrangularis, Parcha, Barbadine, Badea, Giant tumbo) was allegedly unearthed to the Western world in the same expedition as the pineapple, but never really hit the big time. 

Essentially, it’s a giant passionfruit featuring the largest fruit in the Passiflora genus. For people from the tropical Americas, Southeast Asia, and Australia, the giant granadilla is familiar. It grows wild in these areas in lush, tropical jungle climates. Accordingly, it prefers climate conditions that are warm and humid day and night. 

The giant granadilla plant is a fast-growing vine, with a woody base. At maturity, it can climb up to 50 feet tall. The flowers are nearly identical to the frilly, firework-shaped blooms of other passion vines, but double the size. Flowers form aromatic, melon-like fruit with blushing pink or white flesh. It can be very sensitive to any conditions colder than tropical lowlands, so plan accordingly.

Giant granadilla also has a huge appetite for deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Once harvested, the giant granadilla fruits can be eaten, chopped and combined for unique fruit salads, where it adds a mellow charm with a hint of limelike flavor.