Los Alamitos, California-based Frieda’s Branded Produce is celebrating passion fruit this summer, which was recently named “Flavor of the Year” for 2022 by Monin.
Passion fruit is considered to be the largest berry of all berry-producing plants. The passion fruit’s purple skin wrinkles when ripe. Under its exterior are small, black edible seeds surrounded by a brightly colored pulp.
“We love to share our passion for our products, but it’s even more exciting when we see that the mainstream food industry has fallen in love too,” said Cindy Sherman, director of marketing for Frieda’s Branded Produce. “Starbucks’ addition of their Pineapple Passionfruit to the summer refreshers menu will introduce consumers to the vibrant flavor of this powerful berry.”
Traditionally used to make juices, passion fruit is a versatile tropical flavor, elevating drinks, dressing up proteins and adding flavor to salads, grain bowls and smoothies. Like most tropical fruits, passion fruit shies away from cold climates, making it a powerful end-cap product for attention grabbing sales.
Passion fruit comes in many varieties. Frieda’s recommends the Florida grown Thailong variety, known to keep fresh longer, delivering a balance of tart and tropical flavors.
Founded by produce industry trailblazer Frieda Rapoport Caplan, the family company is owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. From kiwifruit and dragon fruit to Stokes Purple sweet potatoes and habanero peppers, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 fruits and vegetables to the U.S. marketplace.
For more information, visit friedas.com.
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