Passion Fruit & Yuzu Honey Drink

Why people make this drink

Passion fruit is one of those ingredients that earns its name — the extraordinary fragrance that greets you when you cut one open is unlike almost anything else in the fruit world. Its scientific name (Passiflora / Passionfruit) reflects its flower’s resemblance to the passion flower. What most people do not realise is how nutritionally and therapeutically interesting passion fruit is. It is rich in lycopene and vitamin C, and in traditional food therapy it is associated with moistening the lungs, relieving a dry cough, and supporting detoxification. Paired with Korean yuzu honey (a jarred preparation of sliced yuzu fruit and honey available in Asian supermarkets), this two-ingredient drink comes together in under five minutes and makes a genuinely lovely morning tonic or afternoon refresher.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• A pleasant everyday drink for most healthy adults
• Particularly useful when you feel a dry throat or mild cough coming on, or when your skin feels dull
• The vitamin C and lycopene content supports immune function year-round
• Pregnant women should avoid herbal teas and infusions generally; this drink uses fruit rather than dried herbs, so it is relatively mild, but pregnant readers should check with their practitioner

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Passion fruit (bai xiang guo): Contains lycopene, vitamin C, and other antioxidant compounds; associated with moistening the lungs, supporting detoxification, skin brightening, and — from the traditional perspective — helping prevent the formation of nitrosamines (compounds associated with certain cancer risks)
• Yuzu honey (柚子蜜): A Korean preparation combining yuzu citrus and honey; yuzu is a fragrant citrus associated with lung nourishment, qi regulation, and relieving coughs; honey adds moisture and soothes the throat

Ingredients (1 serving)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Passion fruit	1 whole	Any variety — traditional red-brown or gold
Yuzu honey (yuja-cheong)	1 tablespoon	Available in Korean or Asian supermarkets
Cool boiled or room-temperature water	~200 mL	Do not use hot water — preserves the vitamin C

Method

1. Halve the passion fruit and scoop out the pulp and seeds into a cup or glass.
2. Add the yuzu honey and stir well.
3. Pour in cool boiled or room-temperature water and mix until combined.
4. Drink immediately for maximum freshness.

Bro Niu’s tips

The golden “super passion fruit” variety from overseas is larger and sweeter but less sour and fragrant than the traditional red-brown variety from Southeast Asia. Either works for this drink — the golden one tends toward a milder flavour, while the classic version has more depth of aroma. Passion fruit is rich in lycopene and vitamin C; research has associated regular consumption with skin improvement, detoxification, and a role in inhibiting the formation of nitrosamines in the body. It is a wonderfully simple ingredient to include regularly in your diet.

---

Published June 30, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.