LUO HAN GUO

• Common Name: Luo Han Guo
  
• Vernacular Names: Arhat fruit, Monk's fruit
  
• Scientific Name: Siraitia grosvenorii
  
• Specimens From: China
  

Luo han guo, the name of this uncommon fruit, is a Mandarin pinyin. It simply means "Arhat fruit" or "Monk's fruit". It was named after a group of buddhist monks, who was using this fruit during the sixth century in Southern China. It is now grown in Southern China and no where else. But four other similar looking species can be found in Taiwan, Thailand and India.

It is green when fresh but it is almost impossible to get hold of a fresh one as it was never exported or sold in the fresh form. It is always in the dried, brown fruit as it cannot be stored in the fresh form. The fruit is slightly round to oval and smooth but slightly hairy to the touch. It is unusually light weight in the dried form.

Luo han guo is extremely sweet no doubt. Its extract is almost 300 times sweeter than sugar but minus the high calorie. Hence, it has been used as a natural sweetener.

How to eat it? No, you don't eat it. You just drink its extracted juice. Wash the dried fruit and then, cut it into half. You will be able to see the numerous flattened seeds stacking together (refer to photo). The easiest way is to put the cut fruit into a bowl or container and pour boiling water onto it. Cover it with a lid and let it simmer by itself for a while.

One fruit is enough for two persons. Surprisingly, it isn't that sweet when you drink it but of course, it will depends on how much water you have added. You may need a little accustom to the taste as it also contains some aroma besides just sweet taste.

Luo han guo are used mainly for medicinal purposes, like heatstroke, sore throats, cough or for any other respiratory problems. There are several companies selling it in other forms too (powdered, pureed, bottled etc) and can be found in most of the Chinese herbal or medicine shops.

Luo Han Guo; Arhat fruit; Monk's fruit; Siraitia grosvenorii; Cucurbitaceae.


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