Prepared by the Office of Public Affairs
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
www.agr.georgia.gov
Question: How is passion fruit used? I’m thinking of serving some to my wife on Valentine’s Day.
Answer: The sweet and tangy flavor of passion fruit is showing up in many products now. You may have also seen the leathery, often wrinkled, maroon fruits in the produce section of grocery stores. The fruits are cut open and the juicy pulp around the seeds is used in juice blends, iced tea, alcoholic drinks, sorbets, yogurts, baked desserts and even salsas and vinaigrettes.
The “passion” in passion fruit has its origins in theology, not romance. It refers to the passion of Christ. Structures of the flowers and plants reminded 15th and 16th Century Spanish missionaries of elements from the story of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Even though passion fruit wasn’t named for the passion you hope to ignite on February 14th, your valentine will think you are creative and clever if you serve a passion fruit daiquiri, a refreshing passion fruit sorbet or vanilla ice cream with passion fruit topping – at least she will know you are trying. For maximum effect, be sure to do the dishes.
Q: Moss is killing my grass. What can I do?
A: Moss is not killing your grass. Moss is growing because conditions are right for it and not right for your grass.
Moss likes damp, acidic soil. Liming will help make the soil less acidic. Aerating will allow more oxygen into the damp soil and encourage grass roots to grow. Moss thrives in shady conditions, but grass needs sun. Shady areas stay moist longer than sunny areas. Allowing more sunshine and air circulation by pruning trees and hedges will help by providing the sunnier, drier areas grass needs. If your moss is in a sunny area, perhaps you are watering too much.
If you are having a constant battle with moss, consider letting it take over and having a lawn of just moss. The Japanese have cultivated moss gardens for hundreds of years. Moss looks and feels like a carpet of green velvet – and it doesn’t need mowing.
Q: I saw a sign at a grocery store that the salad bar containers were made out of bulrushes. What are bulrushes?
A: Several marshland plants such as reeds, sedges and cattails are sometimes referred to as bulrushes. The most famous plant referred to as a bulrush is papyrus. The containers you saw were made from cattails.
If you have questions about services or products regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, visit our website at www.agr.georgia.gov or write to us at 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Room 227, Atlanta, GA 30334; e-mail info@agr.state.ga.us or telephone 1-800-282-5852.
