by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Feb 12: It came as a disappointment to learn that the recognisable common local wild fruit known as ‘buah letup” or bush passion fruit (passiflora foetida) is not the same as another fruit sometimes mistaken for ‘buah letup’ called ground cherry (physalis angulata), despite having similar features.
Knowing the difference is important as the ground cherry can fetch a price of RM3,000 per 100 grammes!
The bush passion fruit does have commercial value but come at a much smaller price tag than the ground cherry.
Capturing the former on camera among the weeds, creepers and shrubs brought back childhood memories and not a wallet full of cash.
If you are from Generation X (born between the mid-60s to early 80s), chances are you would have your own tales of the fruit that is still abundant these days if you know where to find it.
Recalling preteen years, this reporter remembers that the fruit would make a small popping sound when pressed between the thumb and index finger, followed by its thick, liquid content oozing out of the ripened fruit.
Enjoyed by children as a foraged treat, it was also useful as a naughty trick if someone were to make a friendly slap to your head or your body with the overripened fruit in hand after a game.
This friendly delinquent act came often between close childhood buddies as the finale of a ‘soldier’ or hide-and-seek game.
Recce-ing and foraging to gather supplies of the bush passion fruit, especially the overripe ones, was done sometimes even days before these games took place.
The ultimate goal was to smear a friend with the messy innards of the overripe fruit on your captive or target’s head or body.
These silly acts would be a satisfying and victorious sign as captor or seeker.
Apart from those delinquent acts and games enjoyed by children, the fruit was also a lifeline, a way to tide themselves over the midday munchies.
It was a sweet, tasty way to replenish tiny bodies and placate hungry stomachs during the game, before boredom set in and the game was over.
It comes as no surprise that nowadays, many people, especially Generation Z, don’t know the fruit and the role it played in many of their elders’ formative year.
The fruit has lost its recognition over time.
The fruit’s whitish pulp contains black seeds. The pulp and seeds are edible and taste similar to cultivated passion fruit, maybe slightly milder.
The leaves of passionflora foetida are edible but must be cooked as uncooked leaves may be toxic, according to NParks Flora & Fauna Web (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/4/1466).
An online search reveals that in terms of traditional medicine, bush passion fruits, leaves and flowers are believed to have many health benefits.
Consuming them is thought to promote maintain healthy bones due to high calcium content, and prevent anaemia as it has a good amount of iron mineral.
Other claims include reducing high blood pressure, promoting healthy gums and even treating kidney disorder.
Meanwhile, scientific studies suggest the plant has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antidiarrhoeal properties.
Nowadays, you don’t need to forage for the fruit in the bush as its extract is available in capsule form and sold online. — DayakDaily
