Table of Contents
What Is Monk Fruit?
Monk fruit is a small, round fruit also known as Luo Han Guo, named after the Luo Han monks who first discovered it. It originates from Northern Thailand and Southern China. This fruit belongs to the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) and grows as a perennial herbaceous vine.
Monk fruit is primarily cultivated for its sweet sugar extracts, which are up to 250 times sweeter than sucrose. These extracts are widely used as natural alternatives to cane sugar and artificial sweeteners. It is worth noting that the Chinese have used monk fruit as a natural sweetener for nearly a thousand years.
In addition, monk fruit has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help treat diabetes and obesity. The fruits are harvested in autumn, when they change from pale green to dark green, then air-dried or dried at low temperatures for several days before being used as a medicinal ingredient in traditional remedies.
Characteristics of Monk Fruit
Below is an overview of its main characteristics:
- Height: The monk fruit plant grows between 2 and 5 meters tall and develops as a climbing vine.
- Flowers: It produces male and female flowers in early summer.
- Leaves: The leaves are heart-shaped, measuring between 10 and 20 cm in length.
- Growing Season: Monk fruit grows during the summer season.
- Fruits: The fruits are smooth, spherical, and dark green, turning brown when dried, and are covered with a thin, leathery skin.
What Is the Best Location to Grow Monk Fruit?
The following environmental conditions are ideal for growing monk fruit successfully:
- Light: Monk fruit should be planted in a location that receives moderate sunlight.
- Location: It naturally grows in forests, mountain slopes, riverbanks, and wooded areas in Chinese provinces, and it is considered rare in the wild.
- Temperature and Humidity: Monk fruit thrives in regions where temperatures range between 20–22°C. It grows best when there is a significant difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. High humidity is essential for healthy growth.
- Soil: Monk fruit should be grown in peat-based soil, preferably acidic in nature.
How to Grow Monk Fruit
Below are the steps for planting monk fruit:
- Soak monk fruit seeds for 3 to 4 days before planting to achieve better germination results.
- Plant the seeds in a fast-draining peat-based mix at a depth of 5 cm, ensuring the planting area remains warm and dry.
- Avoid excessive watering, as too much moisture can inhibit germination, which typically takes 3 to 6 weeks.
