Spanish explorers coined the name in honor of the passion of Christ. Along with the flowers, passion fruit is known for its sweet smelling fragrance, and because of this, it's sometimes added to food simply to enhance its aroma.

Popular in gourmet cooking, passion fruit is used in many desserts, including mousses and creme brulee. It's also used in some jams. The fruit is also used in main dishes, such as lobster with passion fruit butter sauce. Juice, punch, liqueurs and cocktails have a tropical flair when it's used as an ingredient.

The fruit has also been used in traditional medicine, and it is believed by many to have hundreds of medicinal properties. Its natural chemicals are used to lower blood pressure, control muscle spasms, and treat asthma. The fruit and its leaves also work as a sedative, helping to induce sleep and calm nervousness or other mood disorders. Research has suggested that passion fruit extracts may kill cancer cells in developing fetuses. It's also thought to expel worms, kill bacteria, and enhance the libido.