Passion Fruit

Fruit.

I knew fruit before coming to Taiwan.

We actually grew some back in Ohio.

Strawberries

Cherries

Apples

Peaches 

Pears

Watermelon

When we moved to Taiwan, my fruit repertoire tripled. Taiwan's climate is just right for growing many tropical fruits. With the mountainous interior, comes a different climate,  just right for growing those not-so-tropical fruits. Suddenly, I had more choices to satisfy my fruit cravings. 

Things like....

Guava

Dragon Fruit

Pomelos

Loquats

Lychees

Dragon Eyes

Passion Fruit

Up until this year all my passion fruit consumption has occurred while sipping Passion Fruit Green Tea from the local tea shop. Delicious and totally satisfying on a hot, hot day. I was originally slightly disturbed by the little seeds floating at the bottom of my cup, but I stuck with it. 

Last week, one of my student's parents brought me a bag filled with the small brownish fruit. Wanting their children to have a place to run and play, they purchased a small plot of land farther inland and subsequently higher elevation. There, they grow many varieties of fruit and vegetables.

Up until that point, I had never really processed passion fruit as an actual fruit. 

Strange, but true.

It isn't much to look at.

Its outside is hard, not soft and yielding like other fruit.

Cutting it open, the insides isn't all that impressive either.

If all you think all you are seeing is seeds and slime, you are. 

That's it.

But.... I was brave and adventurous.

It was delicious!

I ate two more before I decided I had better slow down.

So a new favorite for this midwestern gal... passion fruit.

And my mom worried I was too picky of an eater!