Gac melon: Red, sweet sensation in spiky covering

HAVE you seen a gac melon? I recently saw some of these spiny red fruits at a hawker’s stall in Hui Sing morning market.

I have one in my garden, before it bears fruit. So I have decided to seek out the right way to grow this plant, and I would like to share this with you.

This fruit, also known as the cochinchin gourd, is scientifically known as Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. First described in 1790 by the Portuguese botanist João de Loureiro, the fruit’s name is derived from the Latin, ‘mordeo’, meaning ‘to bite’.

Commonly grown in Vietnam and is seasonal, the species is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are borne on separate plants.

The male flower is an inflorescence consisting of either a solitary flower, or a raceme measuring four inches in length.

The female flowers are solitary. The mature ones have five yellowish peals and a black centre each.

The fruit is dark orange when ripe, is oblong in shape about five inches long and inches across. The exterior is covered in short spines, and the pulp inside is dark red, somewhat resembling the blood orange.

Phytochemistry has proven that the fruit, the seeds and the oil contain substantial amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene, the substances that give the red-orange colour. It also has Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids, which are good for health.

Gac thrives in the subtropical climate, not in cool areas where its growth is inhibited.

With the species being dioecious, both male and female plants are needed for pollination, with the male plant must be planted in.

Pollination may be facilitated by insects, or by hand. Grafting materials from the female plant onto the main shoot of the male vine can ensure pollination after both have bloomed.

For maximum pollination, it is recommended to follow a ratio about one male for every 10 female plants. For propagation from vines, take a diagonally-cut tuber, six to eight inches long, and root it in water or a moist potting medium before field-planting.

My own experience in growing this vine was largely contributed by my friend Emelia, who helped plant it in my vegetable plot at my Orchard Garden in Siburan, and it has been growing well.

I, however, do not have the patience to wait for nine months for the vine to bear flowers or fruits – neither do I know that the plant is dioecious, as one cannot have fruits without the other

My friend Emelia has been selling gac fruits, and she has also informed me about its nutritional value. According to her, it has been used by the folks in China and Vietnam as traditional medicine for centuries.

Gac seeds, also known as ‘wooden turtle seeds’, are used for a variety of internal and topical applications in traditional medicine.

The aril surrounding the seeds when the fruit is ripe is cooked with sticky rice to make ‘Xoi gac’, a traditional Vietnamese dish served at weddings and New Year celebrations.

The fruit, when still green, is cooked as vegetable in India.

Its high content of beta carotene and lycopene, is extracted and used in the manufacturing of dietary supplements – it can come in soft capsules, or in the beverage mix.

There are 10 major health benefits of a gac melon:

• It is a great source of Vitamin C;
• It is rich in antioxidants;
• It is high in fibre;
• It contains potent natural anti-bacterial properties;
• It has antiviral properties;
• It may be able to fight cancer;
• It can help improve eye health;
• It can help prevent diabetes;
• It can help lower cholesterol, and;
• It promotes good heart health.

Happy Gardening!