Ivy gourd, averaging 6-9 centimeters in length, are ovoid to ellipsoidal in shape, and grow on slender vines with five-lobed, broad leaves.
The skin of ivy gourd is smooth. There is variegation and light striping of pale green, dark green, and white on the skin.
A slippery, pale red coating encases the seeds beneath the translucent white flesh, which is aqueous and crisp.
As a young vegetable, ivy gourd is firm, crunchy, and mildly bitter. Gourds mature with a soft, sweet taste and their skin can change to a bright red colour depending on the variety.
A tropical climber, the ivy gourd plant can reach up to ten centimeters a day. Despite being a traditional ingredient in Indian cooking, the ivy gourd is also seen as an aggressive invasive plant in other parts of the world due to its dense foliage that smothers other plants.
Ivy gourds are high in fiber, vitamins A and B, and beta-carotene. In addition, it is said to be able to eliminate toxins and help cleanse the blood.
Scientific name of Ivy Gourd
Coccinia Grandis
Other names of Ivy Gourd
- Little Gourd
- Calabacita
- Kovai
- Kundru
- Tela Kucha
- Coccinia Indica
- Tindola
- Dondakaya
- Scarlet gourd
- Kovakka
- Tondi
- Tindora
- Tendli
Nutrition facts of Ivy Gourd
*Serving size = 100 grams = 3.55 Ounces = 1/2 cup
*DV= % Daily Value (%DV indicates how much nutrients contribute to a person’s daily diet from a serving of a food. DV assists you in determining whether or not a serving of food is high or low in a particular nutrient.)
| Nutrient | Amount | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 18 | KCAL |
| Fat | 0.1 | GRAM |
| Protein | 1.2 | GRAM |
| Carbohydrate | 3.4 | GRAM |
| Fiber | 1.6 | GRAM |
Calories by source in Ivy Gourd:
- Calories by carbohydrate in Ivy Gourd = 62%
- Calories by fat in Ivy Gourd = 11%
- Calories by protein in Ivy Gourd = 27%
Fats and Fatty Acid profile of Ivy Gourd:
- Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) in Ivy Gourd = 61%
- Saturated fat (SFA) in Ivy Gourd = 22%
- Monounsaturated fat (MUFA) in Ivy Gourd = 17%
Detailed vitamin profile of Ivy Gourd, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, Folate, Niacin, Thiamin, and Riboflavin is shown in the chart at the end of the article.
Detailed mineral profile of Ivy Gourd, Sodium(Na), Calcium(Ca), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Magnesium(Mg), Selenium(Se), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(K) and Zinc(Zn) is shown the chart at the end of the article.
Availability of Ivy Gourd
- Generally Ivy gourd is available round the year
Complete nutrition facts of Ivy Gourd
Click on the link HERE to download high quality, high resolution and print ready PDF version of the Ivy Gourd nutrition chart/infographic.
