Wild Passion fruit grows abundantly in and around Pondicherry and has been part of the traditional diet here. It derives its local name ‘Mukuseri’ from its fruit that tends to be very gelatinous inside. The leaves are velvety and extremely delicious. They can be thrown in salad adding a very unique flavour to the food making it ‘cordon bleu’. These leaves can also be added into peanut coconut chutney to render a unique blend of flavours.

The wild passion fruits are extremely small in size, only 4cm in diameter. They have a hairy sheath that dries up as the fruit ripens. This dried sheath can be removed and the whole fruit can be popped in the mouth. When ripe they are exceptionally sweet, very tasty and grow abundantly in season. At Solitude we love eating wild passion fruit and use the fruit and leaves in various recipes. All it takes is a bit of an effort.

If we could all make an effort to observe and appreciate our local food, we’ll be one step closer to nature’s little known gifts.At Solitude café we are trying to bring awareness of such precious foods through our lunch menu and even the weekly vegetable basket. If you have subscribed to our delivery, look out for some wild passion fruit in the basket!