Whether you have it in smoothies, pies, ice cream or straight up by the spoonful, the maracuja (mara-cu-ya) is delicious no matter how you serve it. Never heard of maracuja before? Also known as passion fruit in Portuguese, this mineral-rich berry is treasured in South America for its sharp tang and irresistible sweetness. So this month, we’re highlighting this exotic fruit in a sweet black tea you’ll want to enjoy all day long: Maracuja Mango. Let’s take a closer look at the fruit that makes this tea so special.
Passion fruit’s the word
Native to Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, this vine-growing fruit is said to have gotten its name from Catholic missionaries during the European colonization of South America. So why exactly did they call it “passion fruit”? Because they thought the shape of the fruit’s flower looked like Jesus’ crown of thorns. From then on, it quickly spread from South America to Africa, Asia and Australia via European trade routes. Today, passion fruit is grown in many tropical environments around the globe and has become a beloved flavor for desserts, confections and yes, even tea!
Find your passion
Did you know there are over 200 kinds of passion fruit in the Amazon region alone? The most popular are the classic purple and golden ones we often find in grocery stores across North America. These tropical fruits are known for their hard, speckled shell and yellowish-orange pulp-filled interior. And let’s not forget their signature sweet and floral aroma.
The best part? Not only do they taste mighty delicious, they’re good for you too. These fruits are loaded with essentials like vitamins A, B and C, along with copper, potassium and iron.” No wonder we’re so passionate about them!
Now that you know all about maracuja, it’s time to get in on the action by trying our June Tea of the Month: Maracuja Mango. And if you’re looking to add a little more passion to your sipping, try a chilled glass of Green Passionfruit.
