Lilikoi question

[benthudd1]

After experiencing Lilikoi for the first time on the Big Island, I am trying to grow some here in North FL. This is year 2 and the vine finally has fruit on it (14, which may not sound like much to y'all in Hawaii but I am thrilled). However,  the fruit has been green for weeks and, although they have gotten large enough, they have not changed color. I googled it but do not see a timeline for how long it takes the green fruit to ripen (I only see the timeline from pollination). I am not sure if these are they purple or yellow variety. I am dying for them to ripen and would love to know how patient I have to be!  BTW--Publix has them in stock right now at my local store--2 for $6!

[kalakoa]

There is actually a green varietal. Not sure how to tell when it's ripe.

[terracore]

When it falls off the vine, it's ripe. You can jiggle the vines to see if any were ready to fall.

[benthudd1]

Thank you both!  How many weeks should I wait before jiggling?  I am treating these with kid gloves (2 fell off early on side-by-side on the same vine).

[terracore]

Sometimes they will fall off unripe if it's too dry or other weather extremes. I don't know if there is a standard "until ripe" time frame, and ripeness is in the eye of the beholder. When they are at their sweetest the skin may look wrinkled. Some people like a more tangy fruit and will pick them early. There is a lot of variance in appearance and flavor among the varieties so you're not likely to get a black and white answer.

[oink]

Do you know what variety you planted or where you got the seeds? There is a variety native to the SE that should do well in N. FL. My mother from N.C. called it Maypop. If that's what you have it will turn yellow when ripe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora_incarnata

I've found I do have several wild guava on my property. The fruit is rather unimpressive in size, aroma and taste. I guess if I'm going to have them popping up I may as well order some tastier varieties.

[benthudd1]

I think it may be a Purple Possum, at least that is the variety that the nursery I bought it from has now. What an unappealing name for such a wonderful plant. Thanks to everyone. Now
I just have to figure out what to make with the fruit when it ripens (fingers crossed). I'll have some disappointed kids if they can't get a cheesecake. Again--thank you! We look forward to our next trip in a year or two.

[terracore]

I'm not a huge fan of lilikoi, but I do like my wife's lilikoi jelly.

[kalianna]

Make juice! Separate the seeds from the pulp by pulsing in a food processor or just putting it through a fine strainer. Don't heat it. I've tried that and it darkens the juice and doesn't really help to separate it. Once you've gotten the seeds out you can freeze the juice in baggies and pull one out to make juice. Put 3/4 cup of lilikoi juice and 1/4 cup sugar or honey in a quart jar, fill fill water and shake it up. Voila! Lilikoi juice all year. And the seeds from your fruit are viable and easy to grow. Just throw afew seeds in a little hole in the ground, cover with soil and keep them fairly moist.

[benthudd1]

Make juice!  Separate the seeds from the pulp by pulsing in a food processor or just putting it through a fine strainer.  Don't heat it.  I've tried that and it darkens the juice and doesn't really help to  separate it.  Once you've gotten the seeds out you can freeze the juice in baggies and pull one out to make juice.  Put 3/4 cup of lilikoi juice and 1/4 cup sugar or honey in a quart jar, fill fill water and shake it up.  Voila!  Lilikoi juice all year.  And the seeds from your fruit are viable and easy to grow.  Just throw afew seeds in a little hole in the ground, cover with soil and keep them fairly moist.

I will absolutely do that.  Thank you for the tip!