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Enjoy A Taste Of The Islands With Lilikoi Jelly

By Stella Gay


Passion fruit is an incredibly delicious thing. Many people enjoy it juiced for drinking, but it also makes wonderful preserves. There are two skin colors, including purple or yellow. The yellow variety grows green on the vine and must ripen until yellow once harvested. This fruit is not native to the Hawaiian islands. It was originally brought by Spaniard settlers, but it is an island favorite today, and cherished for its sublime fragrance and flavor.

When cut open, the smooth skin of the passion fruits reveal seeds and pulp inside. These are wonderfully refreshing eaten with a spoon. Islanders call the sweet preserves made from the strained juice Lilikoi jelly. It is a bright yellow orange colored product that glistens in its jars, tempting tasters to open them immediately.

Breakfast is a wonderful time to enjoy the delicate jelly. It is common to eat it on tea bread, rolls or toast with just a bit of butter. The combination melts into one sublime treat. Though it would seem that this preserve is scarce, there are actually many of the yellow skinned ones that grow in lower altitudes. This makes this color the most popular for juicing and using in recipes. The purple colored variety grows higher up and is not as accessible.

There are several high quality vitamins in passion fruit. It contains good amounts of riboflavin, vitamin A, niacin and ascorbic acid. Its juice is a common addition to health food menus, as people view it as good for well being. It does not contain a high amount of sugar, which gives it a tart and sweet flavor combination, preferred by many.

It is possible to purchase jars of this delicacy locally or online. The major companies producing it on the islands harvest, produce and pack their products locally. Each batch is the freshest possible this way. The popularity of Lilikoi is such that it has been combined into many kinds of recipes featuring other traditional fruits.

The traditional recipe is sleek, with just a few ingredients. Juice separated from the edible pulp and seeds, natural pectin, island grown sugar and clear water are the four necessary to make the sparkling jars of yellow sparkling like jewels. Those who yearn for flavors of the Hawaiian islands can order jars to be delivered right to their homes. Savoring the flavor can be all it takes to think of the tropics once more.

Local companies packing preserves are certified by the better business bureau and often display awards and prizes for excellence earned at recent country fairs and tasting competitions. They pride themselves on serving their customers well by ensuring that their online orders are shipped safely and arrive intact at doors almost anywhere.

Whether gifting yourself or a favorite hostess for a special occasion, the Hawaiian flavors are certainly welcome. Those who have yet to try the preserves can taste something new, while veteran passion fruit experts can indulge in reminiscing about a past for future visit to the lush tropical paradise that produced them.




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