Tumbo is an oval-shaped fruit that belongs to the genus Passiflora and is thus part of the passion fruit family. In fact, tumbo is also known as banana passionfruit due to it resembling an elongated egg. Some people compare its shape to that of a small banana.
Tumbo was given the banana passionfruit name in New Zealand, where it is widespread in Greater Wellington and the West Coast among other regions. It is actually considered a pest plant in New Zealand because the plant can climb high into the trees, smother and even kill them. That is why people make sure that the plant grows properly.
Advertisement:
Great for quenching thirst, but can you eat tumbo?
Tumbo fruit has a tart flavor and is mostly added to drinks, particularly juices but also including alcoholic drinks, such as Tumbo sour.
Tumbo sour is made with the pulp of the fruit, sugar, and 35° Pisco, the latter a grape spirit or wine brandy popular in Chile and Peru. Another popular and simple recipe is tumbo juice, which is made by blending the fruit with water and sugar, or honey for a healthier option. The result is a flavored refreshing drink perfect for hot summer days and to pack at the beach. It’s also served in Bolivia as a cocktail before dinner.
Tumbo makes a great ingredient for smoothies and jams too because the seeds peel out of the skin easily and the fruit is easy to mash or blend. However, because tumbo fruits are acidic, they are hardly ever eaten raw, although some people do enjoy the tartness.
Nutrition information for tumbo
Tumbo is low in calories but contains vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B. It is actually rich in vitamin C and also contains antioxidants.
Tumbo juices, therefore, are not only refreshing but also nutritional and healthy. The fruit has therapeutic properties and is known to prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Drinking tumbo juice can alleviate stomach aches and reduce kidney pain when recovering from a kidney infection.
Tumbo boosts the immune system and helps reduce cholesterol levels within the body while also aiding digestion and tricking you into feeling fuller for a longer time. This is due to the fiber content which prevents overeating throughout the day.
Other health benefits that the banana passionfruit promotes include:
- Elevated mood;
- Prevention of osteoporosis;
- Weight loss and improved weight management;
- Protection from stroke and other heart-related diseases;
- Reduced levels of stress and better stress management.
Interesting to know about tumbo
Tumbo is an indigenous fruit in a lot of South America.
It is the national fruit of Columbia.
It grows in the cooler climates of the Andes on a climbing plant that can smother trees and kill mature trees if not controlled properly.
The plant has beautiful flowers of pink or Bordeaux red color and the leaves are somewhat hairy.
Advertisement:
In Hawaii the fruit is called banana poka, in Columbia curuba sabanera blanca, in Venezuela parcha or taxo, and in Peru tumbo del norte or tumbo Serrano.