Chulyupa

Chulyupa (lat. Passiflora maliformis) is a spectacular tree-like vine belonging to the Passionaceae family, which is sometimes called apple-shaped passionflower.

Description

Chulyupa is an incredibly attractive evergreen perennial vine, which is a close relative of granadilla. Its tree-like stems are generously studded with fairly rigid tendrils, which are designed so that growing vines can cling to all kinds of supports. These antennae allow the chulyupa to easily climb other trees, up to a height of ten meters.

The glossy leaves of chulupa are characterized by an oval-heart-shaped or oval-oblong shape, and their length varies from six to fifteen centimeters.

Amazingly beautiful chulyupa flowers reach from seven to fifteen centimeters in diameter and are endowed with huge three-row bracts. They all smell very strong and quite pleasant. And the variegated petals of the flowers can be painted in purple, white and red tones. As for the flowering period, it usually occurs at the beginning of summer and lasts until late autumn.

The width of the oval fruits of Chulyupa is about three and a half to four centimeters, and their length ranges from four and a half to five centimeters. Compared to the fruits of other passionflower varieties, these fruits are quite small. The peel of ripe fruits is usually yellow-brown in color. Inside each fruit there is a fragrant, very juicy and incredibly sweet pulp, colored in pale orange or grayish tones, and in the middle of this pulp there are many flattened black seeds. And the taste of chulyupa is somewhat similar to grapes.

Where does it grow

In the wild, the fragrant chulupa is most often found in far Northern Ecuador, Venezuela, some Antilles (such as Jamaica or Trinidad, as well as Puerto Rico, Cuba, Haiti and Barbados) and Colombia. And it is purposefully cultivated for its excellent edible fruits in Jamaica, as well as on Ecuadorian and Brazilian plantations. As for the Hawaiian Islands, chulupa is used there as a garden ornamental plant.

However, compared to other passion flowers (passion fruit, as well as yellow or giant granadilla), chulupa cannot boast of either significant cultivation volumes or great demand. This is due to the fact that the peel of its fruit is too hard, and the size of the fruit itself is relatively small.

Application

The pulp of chulupa is most often consumed fresh or used to obtain concentrates or juice, with the addition of which a wide variety of non-alcoholic soft drinks are prepared. And cocktails with chulupa also turn out to be incomparable — they perfectly refresh and delight with their unsurpassed taste.

Chulyupa also goes well with some dairy and fermented milk products (cottage cheese, ice cream, etc.).

Contraindications

The only contraindication preventing the use of chulyupa is individual intolerance. Everyone else can safely eat it without any worries.

Passion flower, or PASSION FRUIT. Edible passion flower

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