Wax gourd

Wax gourd, also known as winter melon, white gourd, or ash gourd, is a vine grown for its very large fruit, eaten as a vegetable when mature. It is the only member of the genus Benincasa. The fruit is covered in a fuzzy coating of fine hairs when young. The immature melon has thick white flesh that is sweet when eaten. By maturity, the fruit loses its hairs and develops a waxy coating, giving rise to the name wax gourd, and providing a long shelf life. The melon may grow as large as 80 cm in length.

Cultivation and uses

Wax gourd is grown in South Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, Japan, Russia, and parts of Africa. It is commonly used in Asian cuisine, and is a common ingredient in soups, stews, and stir-fries. In Ayurveda, the wax gourd is known as Kushmanda, and is used in various treatments for disorders like epilepsy, asthma, lung diseases, urine retention, internal hemorrhage and many others.

Nutritional value

Wax gourd is a good source of Vitamin C and Vitamin B2. It also contains significant amounts of Dietary fiber, Potassium, Zinc, and Iron, and is low in calories, making it a healthy choice for those seeking to maintain a balanced diet.

See also

• List of gourds and squashes
• Cucurbitaceae
• Melon

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