Fruit from Heaven

gâc Superfruit

In some parts of the world it has long been revered as a gift from above. An indigenous fruit, remarkable, known for its unusual and short harvest season, which peaks in December and January, as well as its astonishing nutritional content. Surely, only providence could send such a wonderfully nutritious fruit at a time of year when fresh fruits and vegetables are at such a premium. The fruit is called gâc, and until recently it was known only to a select few outside of Southeast Asia.

gâc fruit is found predominantly in Vietnam. It is also known as Spiny Bitter Gourd, Sweet Gourd, or Cochinchin Gourd. It has been traditionally used as both food and medicine in the regions in which it grows.

Because it has a relatively short harvest season (which peaks in December and January), making it less abundant than other foods, gac is typically served at ceremonial or festive occasions in Vietnam, such as weddings. It is most commonly prepared as a dish called xôi gấc, in which the aril and seeds of the fruit are cooked in rice, imparting both their color and flavor. More recently, the fruit has begun to be marketed outside of Asia in the form of juice dietary supplements because of its allegedly high phytonutrient content.

Gac grows on vines and is usually collected from fence climbers or from wild plants. However, the vines are sometimes cultivated in home gardens and can be commonly seen growing on lattices at the entrances to rural homes. It only fruits once a year, and is found seasonally in local markets. The fruit itself becomes a dark orange color upon ripening, and is typically round or oblong, maturing to a size of about 13 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter. Its exterior skin is covered in small spines while its dark red interior is divided into six carpels, or segments, of fleshy pulp and seeds.