Passion Fruit

The pulp of ripe passion fruit and its fiber-packed seeds may be introduced as soon as your baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. However, note that the pulp of the unripe fruit, plus the leaves, peel, and skin of both the unripe and ripe fruit can be toxic.

The pulp of the unripe fruit, plus the leaves, peel, and skin of both the unripe and ripe fruit can be toxic. Ripe passion fruit is fragrant and has wrinkled skin.

Passion fruit is the hard-shelled berry of a vigorous climbing vine that grows worldwide. There are many varieties—up to 500 by some estimates—that range in color when ripe, from deep purple to sunny gold to bright orange to rusty red.

Originating in the tropics of South America, where the fruit is called maracuyá or maracujá (and also known as grenadille, chinola, liliko’i, parcha, and other names around the globe), passion fruit’s anglicized name came from the Spanish colonizers, who believed that the vine’s showy flowers resembled the crown of thorns worn by Jesus in the Bible. As its name suggests, passion fruit is sensual—you can see, smell, hear, and feel when the berry is ready to eat. The skin darkens, shrivels with wrinkles, and smells of musk and honey. Ripe passion fruit feels firm and heavy in the hand as it is laden with juicy pulp and crunchy seeds, which can be heard sloshing around inside the shell when it is shaken.

Yes—when it is ripe. The pulp of the unripe fruit plus the leaves, peel, and skin of both the unripe and ripe fruit are toxic.   Ripe passion fruit is fragrant and has deeply wrinkled skin.

The juicy pulp contains vitamins A and C, which supports the immune system and helps the body absorb iron in passion fruit and other plant-based foods. The pulp also offers plenty of beneficial minerals to help your baby thrive, including calcium, copper, magnesium, and zinc.  Don’t discard the seeds: they are edible and a good source of fiber to promote a healthy and happy gut. The seeds also contain antioxidants that may promote heart health.

Like all fruits, different colors indicate different compounds within the plant that can offer nutritional benefits. For example, the yellow varieties have lots of quercetin and a special kind of fiber called pectin, while purple passion fruits have the most anthocyanins, and the orange kinds have more carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Put simply, these nutrients act as antioxidants in the body, protect cells, and promote healthy vision.

★Tip: A fresh passion fruit can be kept at room temperature, but if it is very ripe, store it in the fridge to avoid fruit flies. When fresh passion fruit is not an option, choose frozen puree, which can be more economical and convenient. The pulp and seeds have a long shelf life of up to 8 months in the freezer. Just be sure to read the fine print: the puree is often sweetened with added sugars, which are best consumed in moderation for adults and kids alike.

No. Babies should only be offered breast milk, formula and after 6 months of age, small sips of water in their first year of life. Juice of any kind should not be given to babies younger than 12 months of age, unless directed to do so by a health provider in very specific circumstances. After the first birthday, small amounts of juice (less than 4 ounces a day, ideally diluted with water to reduce sweetness) may be safely offered. That said, it is best to wait to serve juice until age two and even then, to limit the amount offered to minimize sugar (including natural sugars in juice) in your child’s diet. Passion fruit juice tends to have plenty of added sugar and research has shown that regular and excessive consumption of sweet beverages may reduce the diversity of foods and nutrients consumed and may increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and dental caries.

No. Passion fruit pulp and seeds are not choking hazards for babies though, in theory, an individual can choke on any food. While some suggest that the seeds are a choking hazard, there is no data to support the claim, and in our professional opinion, the seeds can be consumed by babies who are 6 months of age and up. If you are concerned about them, it is okay to remove the seeds before serving the pulp to your child. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment, stay within an arm’s reach of your baby during mealtime, and check out our age-appropriate serving suggestions.

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

No. However, individuals with latex allergy may be sensitive to passion fruit. Passion fruit is naturally acidic, which may upset the stomach when consumed in large quantities, cause a harmless facial rash, or contribute to diaper rash. The skin rash usually dissipates within minutes after the area is gently cleansed.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by serving a small quantity for the first couple of servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.