Have you ever eaten a "maypop" fruit (passiflora incarnata)? How does it taste?

I saw an ad for this flowering vine and am wondering whether to plant it, and what the fruit would taste like. I hear they grow wild in the south of the USA.

Have you ever eaten a "maypop" fruit (passiflora incarnata)? How does it taste?
I ate them as a kid in Georgia. There really isn't alot to them. If you have ever seen an overripe cucumber, they are kind of like that in structure. They are about the size and shape of a lemon. They have a fleshy rind and seeds in the interior. Each seed is encased in juicy pulp, which is the edible part. From what I remember, they were not particularly tasty, just tart and juicy. This is definitly not like a passion fruit, which is a related species from the tropics. The flowers are pretty though.
Reply:I've read that they are an acquired taste, but since there are so many varieties the tastes vary quite a bit. I just read one persons comment that "Perfumey and acidic, but great to work with and adapt to recipes. wonderful in jellies, syrups and as an ingredient in pies, cakes, ice cream, pudding and wonderful addition to juices." Some varieties can be a bit toxic so you shoud be certain about the right variety to purchase before you take that step.



I'm not sure how much success you'll have getting your vine to bear fruit, unless you south enough for a good warm climate. They even occasionally grow wild here in Wisconsin (rarely) but getting them to fruit- I don't even try.



The fruit issue aside, I'd definitely encourage you to get the plant and give it a try. Even if it doesn't produce, the vine itself is absolutely gorgeous, especially with the curling tendrils that reach out to anchor the plant. The flowers are somewhat alien looking and really beautiful- my goal is just to get a nicely flowering plant. At any rate, regardless of if your plant flowers or fruits, it's a great plant to have so I think you'll be glad you planted it.



Good luck!
Reply:I have seen them, but never tried eating one. I didn't know that you could. I have one in my back yard, but will not be eating the fruit.
Reply:It is a very perfumey flavor, I don't know any other way to describe it. It makes very good jelly.



It is a beautiful plant, I have it in my garden and it grows very well tho I don't usually get any fruits because the squirrels like them very much and get them before I can. It does grow wild in our area also.



Be sure the variety you get is hardy for your zone. Some of the more beautiful ones are hardy only to zones 9 and 10.