Quick Answer
Yes, lilikoi and passion fruit refer to the same fruit. Lilikoi is the Hawaiian name for passion fruit. Both terms are used to describe the edible fruit produced by passion flower vines in the genus Passiflora. There are over 500 varieties of passion fruit, with some of the most common being the purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) and the yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa). So whether you call it lilikoi or passion fruit, you’re talking about the same delicious, exotic fruit.
What is Lilikoi?
Lilikoi is simply the Hawaiian name for passion fruit. It comes from the Hawaiian words “lili” meaning string, and “koi” meaning seed. This refers to the stringy pulp and abundant seeds found in the interior of the passion fruit.
In Hawaii, there are two main types of passion fruit referred to as lilikoi:
Hawaiian Lilikoi
The Hawaiian lilikoi (Passiflora tarminiana) is native to the islands and has a yellow to orange skin when ripe. The fruit is small, round, and has a tart, aromatic flavor. This is the variety traditionally used in Hawaiian cuisine.
Purple Lilikoi
The purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) was brought to Hawaii in the 1950s from Australia. It has a purple to dark purple skin when ripe and a tart, tangy flavor. The purple lilikoi has larger fruits than the Hawaiian yellow variety.
So Hawaiian lilikoi refers to both the native yellow passion fruit and the purple passion fruit that was later introduced.
What is Passion Fruit?
Passion fruit is the common English name used to describe the edible fruit produced by passion flower vines. There are over 500 species of Passiflora vines, with many producing delicious fruit. The two most commercially important varieties are:
Purple Passion Fruit
The purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) has an oval to round shape and a smooth, thick, purple to yellow-purple skin when ripe. The pulp is aromatic, tart, and juicy. It encases many small, black seed. This is the most widely cultivated passion fruit variety.
Yellow Passion Fruit
The yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa) has a round to oblong shape with a smooth, waxy, yellow to orange-yellow skin when ripe. The pulp is juicy and slightly less tart and aromatic than the purple variety. It also contains numerous black seeds.
There are also other lesser known wild and cultivated varieties of passion fruit like the banana passion fruit, giant granadilla, and sweet granadilla. But the purple and yellow types are the most common.
So passion fruit encompasses all varieties of edible Passiflora fruits, including the Hawaiian lilikoi.
The Origins of Passion Fruit and Lilikoi
The origins of both lilikoi and passion fruit trace back to South America. Passiflora vines are native to the Amazon and Paraguay regions of South America. Passiflora edulis, the scientific name for the purple and yellow passion fruits, originated in Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina.
Passion fruits were brought to Hawaii by Christian missionaries in the late 19th century. The Hawaiian yellow lilikoi is believed to be a hybrid between two South American species, P. ligularis and P. edulis flavicarpa.
The purple passion fruit was later introduced to Hawaii in 1950 by Ernest Sheldon who brought cuttings from Australia. It was crossed with the Hawaiian yellow lilikoi to create productive varieties suited to the islands.
So the passions fruits we enjoy as lilikoi or under other names originally came from South America before spreading around the tropical world.
Uses and Benefits of Lilikoi and Passion Fruit
Lilikoi and passion fruit are used in similar ways and provide similar health benefits. Here are some of the main uses and benefits of these nutritious, tropical fruits:
Eating Raw
Lilikoi and passion fruit can be cut open and eaten raw. The pulp and seeds provide a tasty, tart snack full of nutrients.
Juices and Drinks
The juice of lilikoi and passion fruit is extracted to make refreshing drinks. Popular Hawaiian drinks made with lilikoi include the Lilikoi Spritzer and Lilikoi Lemonade. The juice is also combined with other fruit juices.
Jams and Jellies
The pulpy fruit is ideal for making into jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters. These sweet and tangy spreads pair well with meats and cheeses.
Ice Cream and Sorbet
The sweet-tart flavor of lilikoi and passion fruit work great in ice cream and sorbet recipes. They add a tropical flavor.
Custards and Curds
The juice and pulp can be transformed into creamy custards, curds, and mousses for a dessert with a tropical flair.
Cocktails and Liqueurs
Lilikoi and passion fruit add a citrusy tartness to cocktails. Their juice can also be fermented and distilled into tropical liqueurs.
Cakes and Pastries
Bakers use lilikoi and passion fruit pulp as a tropical filling in cakes like cheese cakes and mousse cakes. Their juice is used to flavor donuts, fruit tarts, and other pastries.
Salad Dressings and Sauces
The juice adds delicious flavor to salad dressings, fruit sauces, and glazes for meats like ham and fish.
Nutrition
Both lilikoi and passion fruit are very nutritious, low-calorie fruits. They provide high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and dietary fiber. They make a healthy addition to smoothies and juices.
So in terms of uses and benefits, there is little difference between lilikoi and passion fruit. Both provide plenty of nutrition and refreshing tropical flavor.
Differences between Lilikoi and Passion Fruit Varieties
While lilikoi and passion fruit refer to the same thing, there are some subtle differences between varieties:
Fruit Size
The Hawaiian yellow lilikoi tends to be smaller (about the size of a large egg) than purple passion fruit varieties. But the purple passion fruit or lilikoi grown in Hawaii can get much bigger than their South American cousins.
Color
Hawaiian lilikoi is yellow to orange when ripe. The purple passion fruit is dark purple when ripe. The yellow passion fruit is golden orange when ripe.
Flavor
The Hawaiian lilikoi is said to be more aromatic and flavorful than purple passion fruit varieties. But the purple types tend to be less tart with a richer juice.
Seeds
The Hawaiian lilikoi has smaller, more digestible seeds than purple passion fruit. But seed differences are subtle.
Yield
In Hawaii, the purple passion fruit tends to produce higher yields than the yellow Hawaiian lilikoi. But yields can vary greatly based on climate and care.
So while the fruits look a little different and can vary in flavor, they are still all considered types of lilikoi and passion fruit.
Is One Better Than the Other?
When it comes to Hawaiian lilikoi vs. purple passion fruit, one isn’t necessarily better than the other. They are just different types of the same delicious fruit.
The Hawaiian yellow lilikoi is prized for its intense, aromatic flavor. It’s the variety traditionally used to make juices, jellies, and other foods in Hawaii.
But purple passion fruit yields more fruit, so it’s more widely grown. Its richly flavored juice and pulp work great fresh or cooked.
Other purple, yellow, and orange passion fruits also make tasty additions to fruit salads, drinks, and desserts.
So the different lilikoi and passion fruit varieties simply offer more options. Their diversity lets you enjoy the tropical flavor in new ways.
Can They Be Used Interchangeably?
For the most part, lilikoi and passion fruit varieties can be used interchangeably in recipes. The main considerations are:
Adjust Sweetness
Since some varieties are tarter than others, you may need to adjust sugar or sweetener. Taste as you go and add more as needed.
Adjust Liquid
More or less juice and pulp liquid may need to be drained or added to achieve the right consistency in drinks, sauces, jellies, etc.
Complement Other Ingredients
Choose varieties that best complement other ingredients. For example, bold Hawaiian lilikoi with tropical fruits or aromatic purple passion fruit in cakes.
Substitute Appropriate Sizes
Consider fruit size when substituting for garnishes. Large purple varieties won’t work the same as small Hawaiian lilikoi on desserts.
As long as you account for subtle differences in flavor and size, all lilikoi and passion fruit can be enjoyed in similar ways.
What’s in a Name?
While lilikoi and passion fruit refer to the same fruits, the names carry different meanings:
Lilikoi – Reflects Hawaiian culture and language. It translates to “little seeds” which perfectly describes the tiny black seeds in the fruit’s pulp.
Passion fruit – Evokes the passion of Christ in the Christian faith. Spanish missionaries saw the flower’s parts as representing elements of Jesus’s crucifixion.
So the Hawaiian name connects to the fruit itself. The English name reflects the spiritual associations seen by missionaries who spread these vines around the world.
Of course, the fruit by any name still provides the same delicious flavor and nutrition. Only the cultural history behind each name differs.
Conclusion
Lilikoi and passion fruit are simply different names for the same delicious, tropical fruits. Lilikoi comes from Hawaii, where it refers to native yellow varieties as well as naturalized purple passion fruit. Passion fruit encompasses all the edible fruits produced by flowering vines in the Passiflora genus worldwide.
While the fruits have slightly different sizes, colors, and flavors, they can be used interchangeably in recipes once you account for subtle variations. Both lilikoi and passion fruit offer plenty of tart, tropical flavor and nutrition.
So the next time you enjoy the juicy, aromatic pulp of one of these exotic fruits, know that you’re savoring both lilikoi and passion fruit at once!
