Passion fruit puree and passion fruit syrup are very similar, but have some key differences. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to common questions about how they compare.
Quick Answers
– Passion fruit puree is made from fresh passion fruit pulp and juice. Syrup is made from concentrated passion fruit juice, water, and sugar.
– Puree has a thicker, smoother texture while syrup is thinner and more liquid.
– Puree contains passion fruit pulp and seeds for texture and flavor. Syrup is a clear, smooth liquid without pulp or seeds.
– Puree has a more fresh, fruity, tropical flavor. Syrup often has added sugar and tastes sweeter.
– Puree can be used for smoothies, desserts, sauces, and more. Syrup works well as a topping, in cocktails, and other beverages.
What is Passion Fruit Puree?
Passion fruit puree is made by straining the pulp and seeds from fresh passion fruit. The pulp and juice are blended into a smooth, thick puree. Preservatives may be added to increase shelf life. But at its core, passion fruit puree is minimally processed fresh fruit.
Puree has several culinary uses. It contains the pulp, seeds, natural sugars and tart flavor of real passion fruit. The thicker consistency makes it useful to add richness and texture to recipes like:
- Smoothies, shakes, and juice blends
- Ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt
- Cakes, pies, tarts, and pastries
- Sauces and custards
- Tropical cocktails like margaritas and daiquiris
You’ll commonly find passion fruit puree sold in freezer or refrigerated sections in grocery stores and online. It has a shelf life of several months to a year when frozen. Once thawed, it should be used within a week or two.
What is Passion Fruit Syrup?
Passion fruit syrup starts with passion fruit juice concentrate. The concentrate is combined with water and sugar or corn syrup to make a sweet, pourable syrup.
Most passion fruit syrups also have added preservatives, natural flavors, and colors to extend shelf life and enhance the fruit flavors. Compared to puree, syrup goes through more processing to turn fresh juice into a shelf-stable product.
The bright tart-sweet flavor of passion fruit syrup makes it versatile for uses like:
- Pancake, crepe, and waffle topping
- Mixing into tea, lemonade, and cocktails
- Flavoring yogurt, oatmeal, chia pudding
- Mixing into buttercream, whipped cream
- Drizzling over ice cream and fresh fruit
Passion fruit syrup can typically be stored for over a year unopened. Once opened, it will keep for several months refrigerated.
Differences Between Puree and Syrup
While both provide passion fruit flavor, there are some key ways that puree and syrup differ:
Texture
Puree has a thick, smoothie-like texture from containing blended passion fruit pulp. Syrup has a thin, pourable consistency.
Pulp and Seeds
Puree includes tiny passion fruit seeds that provide texture along with the fruit’s flesh. Syrup is a clear liquid without fruit solids.
Flavor
Puree tastes fresh, vibrant, and deeply fruity. It provides true passion fruit intensity. Syrup often has added sugar and tastes sweeter with more subtle fruit notes.
Uses
Puree works better for adding to thicker foods and drinks. Syrup mixes more smoothly into thin liquids like tea or cocktails.
Storage Life
Puree lasts about 1 year frozen or 1-2 weeks thawed. Syrup keeps over 1 year unopened or months opened.
This table summarizes the key differences:
| Characteristic | Passion Fruit Puree | Passion Fruit Syrup |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Thick and smooth | Thin and liquid |
| Pulp/Seeds | Contains passion fruit pulp and seeds | No pulp or seeds |
| Flavor | Intense, fresh, fruity | Sweeter with subtle fruitiness |
| Uses | Smoothies, desserts, sauces | Toppings, cocktails, beverages |
| Storage Life | 1 year frozen, 1-2 weeks thawed | Over 1 year unopened, months opened |
Puree vs. Syrup Nutrition
Since passion fruit puree is made with fresh fruit, it provides more nutrition than syrup:
Vitamin C
Puree has high vitamin C levels from real passion fruit. Syrup loses some vitamin C during processing.
Potassium
Puree delivers potassium from passion fruit, an electrolyte mineral. Syrup is not a significant source of potassium.
Fiber
The pulp in puree provides dietary fiber. Syrup straining removes fiber during production.
Sugar
Puree has natural sugars from fruit. Syrup often adds cane sugar or corn syrup.
So puree has higher nutritional value with vitamins, minerals, fiber and natural sugars compared to syrup.
Cost Comparison
Passion fruit puree and syrup have the following typical cost breakdown:
Puree
- 12 oz frozen puree: $4 to $6
- 1 cup puree: around $1
Syrup
- 12 oz syrup: $4 to $8
- 1 tablespoon syrup: $0.25 to $0.50
Puree is sold by volume, while syrup is used in smaller amounts. Comparing cost per serving:
- 1 cup passion fruit puree = $1
- 4 tablespoons syrup (1/4 cup) = $1 to $2
So syrup may cost 2 to 4 times more than puree per serving. But syrup provides more servings overall.
Price Per Ounce
Comparing prices per ounce:
- Puree: $0.33 to $0.50 per oz
- Syrup: $0.33 to $0.66 per oz
Per ounce, syrup can cost about the same or up to twice as much as puree. Puree provides more volume per dollar spent.
Puree vs. Syrup Uses
How do passion fruit puree and syrup compare for different uses?
Smoothies
Winner: Puree – The thicker texture and real fruit pulp make puree ideal for fruit smoothies. Syrup would thin out the smoothie too much.
Yogurt
Winner: Syrup – Syrup mixes into yogurt seamlessly for even coverage. Puree makes yogurt lumpy.
Cocktails
Winner: Syrup – Syrup integrates perfectly into cocktails for tropical flavor. Puree would alter the drink’s texture.
Sauces
Winner: Puree – Puree thickens up and adds body to sauces. Syrup would just make a thin sauce runny.
Baking
Winner: Puree – Puree adds moisture and binds baked goods. Syrup would leak out and make things soggy.
Topping
Winner: Syrup – Drizzling syrup is perfect for pancakes, ice cream, etc. Puree is too thick to drizzle nicely.
Making Your Own Puree and Syrup
You can also DIY passion fruit puree and syrup at home with fresh or frozen passion fruit. Here are some methods and ratio guidelines:
Puree
Fresh Fruit Method:
- Cut passion fruit in half and scoop out pulp into a blender
- Blend on high until smooth. Add a splash of water if too thick.
- Strain out seeds for smoother texture (optional).
Frozen Fruit Method:
- Combine frozen passion fruit with a bit of the fruit’s own juice in a blender
- Blend until smooth puree consistency
Syrup
From Concentrate:
- Bring 1 cup water to a boil
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup passion fruit juice concentrate
- Add sugar or honey to taste if desired
From Puree:
- Simmer 1 cup passion fruit puree with 1/4 cup sugar for 10 minutes, until reduced by half
- Let cool completely then transfer to a bottle
Experiment with ratios to get your perfect passion fruit puree and syrup consistencies.
Where to Buy Puree and Syrup
Here are some places to find passion fruit puree and syrup:
Puree
- Frozen section at grocery stores
- Produce section or juice aisle for refrigerated puree
- Online stores like Amazon
- Restaurant and food supply stores
Syrup
- Condiment aisle at grocery stores
- Coffee section near flavored syrups
- Beverage aisle with cocktail mixes
- Online retailers like Amazon
Check labels for 100% passion fruit and no added artificial ingredients. Organic options are also available.
Popular Brands
Some well-known brands for passion fruit puree and syrup include:
Puree Brands
- Lesley Stowe
- Funkin
- Boiron
- Perfect Puree
- Oregon Fruit Products
Syrup Brands
- Monin
- Torani
- Liber & Co.
- DaVinci
- Smucker’s
Trying different brands can help find your favorites based on flavor, price, accessibility, and added ingredients.
Conclusion
While passion fruit puree and syrup share similarities, there are some differences that impact their uses:
- Puree has more natural fruit flavor and nutrition from fresh passion fruit
- Syrup works better for mixing into thinner liquids with its pourable consistency
- Puree’s thickness makes it suitable for sauces, baking, smoothies
- Syrup excels at drizzling and sweetening items like pancakes or yogurt
In the end, it depends on the specific recipe or use case. Both puree and syrup provide tasty ways to add passion fruit flavor. Knowing when to use each gives you more versatility in the kitchen and with beverages.
