Only the fleshy interior, consisting largely of pinkish yellow seeds, is eaten. There is a large passion fruit called the giant granadilla, with fruit similar to a melon, but the ones most available are smaller. Occasionally the fresh fruit is found in local markets, but mostly it is a dooryard product. Select passion fruits that are firm and free from large, brown soft spots.
Wrinkled fruit is a sign of full maturity and means they are ripe to use.
The processed juice is carried is some markets, either canned or frozen. The name of passion fruit resulted from the diaries of early Spanish missionaries who recorded accounts of seeing the flowers during church holiday seasons, especially during the Lent and Easter holidays, reminding them of the passion of Christ. Today, the use of the tangy passion fruit juice is said to soothe the sensual and lusty passions of savage taste buds, a far cry from the early church writings. The yellow variety is much higher in vitamin A with 120 RE per one-half cup. The flesh is delicious eaten as it is, or to flavor fruit salads and juices.