Traditional Ash Gourd juice recipe with lemon, black salt, pepper and mint. It's naturally detoxifying, immune boosting and helps strengthen mental clarity.
An Introduction to Gourd Juice
My first official introduction to Ash Gourd Juice was from my favorite Indian guru Mr. Sadhguru. I watched a YouTube video introducing this ingredient which prompted me to do more research on this. I was delighted to discover that it grows in abundance here in Phuket. It's available at the local markets all year round and is very inexpensive.
I started juicing my own ash gourds and playing around with recipe variations. I really notice the benefits when I drink this juice in the mornings, it's now a regular part of my weekly menus. As an Irish man living in tropical Thailand, I need all the support I can get in keeping my body temperature and metabolism regulated!
In this article, I'll introduce you to what I've learned about Gourds and provide some further links for you to discover more. My recipe for Ash Gourd juice is very easy to make - the most challenging part will be to find yourself a gourd - if you are living outside of Asia!
Jump to:
- An Introduction to Gourd Juice
- What is Ash Gourd
- Ash Gourd in Asian Cuisine
- Selecting Fruits
- Health Benefits
- Ash Gourd Nutrition
- Cultivating Gourds
- Ash Gourd in Ayurveda
- How to make Ash Gourd juice
- Equipment you will need
- Ingredients you will need
- Step-by-step tutorial
- More healthy recipes to try from Holistic Chef Academy
- Ash Gourd Juice - For Good Health
- 📋 Recipe
- Recipe Variations
- FAQ
- Community Comments
What is Ash Gourd
Ash Gourd or Winter Melon is a fruit native to Asian countries and warm parts of Australia. It comes in all shapes, sizes, and varieties.
The fruit is considered to be very auspicious and is used in making temple prasad (food offered to the gods). Many people in South India hang it in front of their house as it is known to give positive vibrations and clears the negative energy.
It is used widely in Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian cuisines - in curries, stir-fries, soups, desserts, and drinks. The fruit contains many health benefits and has been widely used in Indian and Chinese medicinal systems for centuries.
Ash Gourd is a vine and the fruit resembles a watermelon or a big cucumber. The mild taste is similar to cucumber. The mature fruit has a waxy covering, hence the name Wax Gourd, or it is covered in grey ash - Ash Gourd. This natural wax preserves the fruits after harvest for several months.
Ash Gourd in Asian Cuisine
Also known as Winter melon, green squash, white pumpkin, Chinese melon, or in Hindu it's called Safed Petha.
In Indian cuisine Ash Gourd is widely used in making various kootu, curries, dal, dry subzi, and add in yogurt to make raita.
The popular North Indian dessert or sweet candy Petha from the famous Agra city is made with it.
In Thai and South East cuisine green squash is widely available all year round, it appears in many local soups and curries.
Selecting Fruits
When selecting an Ash Gourd, choose a gourd with no bruises. The fruit should feel heavy for its size. It's approximately the same size and shape as a watermelon, with a characteristic white, ash-coated surface.
This powder is harmless to eat but becomes sticky when it is wet. It should be washed from the surface before cutting the fruit open. The interior should be white with a crisp texture. Uncut, an ash gourd will keep for up to 2 months in a cool, dry storage area.
Health Benefits
Ash Gourd is packed with nutritional health benefits. It has also become a big trend in the fitness world. Apart from cooling down the system and detoxifying the body, there are numerous other benefits of this fruit which belongs to the pumpkin family.
- It is good for curing joint and muscular pains
- Stimulates the normal elimination of waste from the excretory system
- Regulates heart functions
- Enhances metabolism
- Acts as an antacid
- Strengthens the respiratory system.
Ash Gourd Nutrition
One of the most significant benefits of ash gourd is for helping with excess weight loss. It's very low in calories, and rich in soluble fibers that help keep you full for a long time. It is also replete with potassium which acts as a diuretic in case you have problems like water retention.
It also has vitamin B2 which is good for energy levels, also riboflavin which facilitates the activity of the thyroid gland and stress hormones. Both of which are crucial for weight management.
Ash gourd juice helps in maintaining healthy skin and hair. It is very rich in fiber and good for constipation problems. It is alkaline in nature, so it is very useful in acid reflux syndrome.
Apart from weight loss, consuming ash gourd could also be a good idea for those who have a common problem of acidity, ulcers, and heartburn. It acts as a coolant since it is alkaline in nature and it also happens to be a very good source of vitamin C and flavonoids that help pump up your immunity levels.
Ash gourd supplies plenty of nutrition, being inherently high in water content providing a cooling effect on the body, having zero cholesterol thereby augmenting heart health and abounding in a plethora of vitamins and minerals to facilitate key metabolic functions in the body.
This remarkable natural wonder also provides valuable curative properties for conditions such as fever, jaundice, and diabetes. This is owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, due to the presence of beneficial plant compounds like flavonoids and carotenoids.
In addition, the juice of ash gourd also heals hair and scalp disorders like dandruff and bald patches. I may start putting the juice pulp on my receding hairline!
Cultivating Gourds
More information here on the different varieties and how to grow.
Ash Gourd in Ayurveda
For more reading on the health benefits of ash gourd, you may visit this resource.
Incorporating ash gourd or winter melon, into your lifestyle is an effective way to beat the heat, enjoy a powerful energy boost and add tasty variety to salads, juices, snacks, and even sweets.
How to make Ash Gourd juice
Ash Gourd is a very plain tasting fruit, just like cucumber. The juice will taste very bland. To enhance the taste you can add lemon, black salt, pepper, and some mint leaves.
The juice is very easy to make. You can use a cold-pressed juicer or blend the roughly chopped pieces in a high-speed blender. If the gourd has thick and hard seeds then discard the seeds before juicing them. There is no need to discard the soft and very thin seeds.
When making in the blender it's best to strain the juice before serving.
Add lemon juice, mint leaves, freshly ground black pepper, and black salt (or pink Himalayan salt) as per taste.
It's best to make this juice and consume it on the same day; serve chilled with a sprig of mint and a wedge of lemon in the morning time to help flush out toxins and energize yourself for the day.
Equipment you will need
You can use either a blender or cold-pressed juicer to make this recipe. In the recipe card, I provide details of how to make both. In this step-by-step tutorial, I use the cold-pressed juicer method which is my preferred way.
Ingredients you will need
- Ash Gourd
- Lemon
- Black salt
- Black pepper
- Mint
Step-by-step tutorial
Start by washing and peeling the Ash Gourd
Cut the vegetable lengthways.
Dice the vegetable into pieces small enough to put through the juicer.
Peel the yellow skin from the lemon and cut it into small pieces.
Wash the mint and assemble all ingredients ready to put through the juicer or blender.
Put the Ash Gourd, lemon, and mint through the juicer. (If you are making with a blender - add to the blender along with 100ml of water - blend well and strain)
The juice should look like this. The green color comes from the mint.
Season to taste with black or pink salt.
Add some freshly ground black pepper.
Give it all a stir and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint.
More healthy recipes to try from Holistic Chef Academy
- Golden milk
- Black sesame milk
- Chia seed pudding with mango
- Ginger immune booster
- Turmeric jamu
- Asian pear and sesame milk bircher
- Quinoa tabbouleh
Ash Gourd Juice - For Good Health
I hope this article is of good use and benefit to you or your family. It's a pleasure to be able to share these invaluable recipes for promoting good health. I'd love to hear from you if you make the recipe or have any other variations to share.
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📋 Recipe
Ash Gourd Juice (Winter Melon Juice)
Equipment
- Chopping board
- Chefs knife
- Strainer
- Jug
- Serving glasses
Ingredients
- 400 g Ash gourd wax gourd / winter melon
- ½ each Lemon yellow skin removed
- 1 pinch Black salt
- 1 pinch Black pepper - ground
- 4 sprigs Mint optional
Method
- Wash, peel and remove the large seeds from the ash gourd.
- Peel the yellow skin off the lemon and cut into pieces.
- If using a young gourd, you can leave the seeds in.
Blender Method
- Cut the ash gourd into small pieces.
- Add the ash gourd, lemon and mint to the blender with 100ml of water.
- Blend for 20 seconds.
- Strain liquid into a jug.
- Season with black salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Pour into 2 serving glasses.
- Alternatively, chill for 30 minutes in the fridge before serving
Cold Press Juicer Method
- Put the ash gourd, lemon and mint leaves to the cold pressed juicer.
- Season the juice with black salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Pour into 2 serving glasses.
- Serve chilled with a sprig of mint and slice of lemon.
Recipe Notes
Recipe Variations
Ash Gourd and Watermelon Smoothie Blend equal parts ash gourd and watermelon in a blender and add honey or maple syrup to taste. Lime and Ash Gourd Cooler Juice 2-3 cups of ash gourd in a juicer, add fresh lime juice and salt to taste. Blend in a sprig of mint or cilantro for a fresh twist.ADD YOUR OWN RECIPE NOTES
Nutrition Label
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
FAQ
It is best to juice and consume as quickly as possible. I advise 1-day maximum shelf life.
If the seeds are small from a younger gourd, yes you may juice or blend (make sure to strain). If it's a larger old gourd, you can cut away and discard the seeds before juicing.
From the reading I've done, I believe it's best to drink in the morning time, soon after waking up to help flush out toxins and energize yourself for the day ahead.
Black salt's flavor is very similar to boiled eggs! You may reduce the amount of black salt added or replace it with pink salt.
Mily
A firecracker !
Jamie Raftery
Thank you Emily, it's a refreshing one! Let me know if you make it 🙂
Marija
What is sumilar to ash gourd to consume here in europe? Thnx answerring back
Jamie Raftery
Hi Marija, I would recommend cucumber as a similar cooling fruit. You can try adding some celery also. Gourds may be available in good Asian food stores, keep an eye out for them 🙂
BREDA
Delicious, great benefits to know more about Ash Gourd. Yours information is very well explained in every aspect. Next on my shopping list.
Jamie Raftery
Thank you, Breda. I hope you enjoy making it. You can use cucumber as a replacement if you cannot get ash gourds in your region
Latha
You have made bottle gourd( pics) juice but spoke about ash gourd
Jamie Raftery
Dear Latha, thank you for pointing this out. It's great to learn more about Gourds and all their different varieties.
Karen Gilmore
I live in the United States, I can't find Ash Gourd. Can you send me some or juices?
Jamie Raftery
Hi Karen. This is an Asian vegetable. You may be able to find it in a good Asian food store in the USA. We do not export any cold-pressed juices out of Thailand. You will have to come and visit sometime!