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Gourds can also be called a staple food of India, just like Roti or Rice. Read on to know more about the types of gourds in India.
It is often confused with bottle gourd or Lauki, which is one of the most popular varieties of gourds in India. Gourds work as a staple for India. There is not one but different types of gourds in India. They are used in vegetables, stews, soups, and salads. You can eat them raw, as well as in cooked form.
Check Out 18 Beautiful Indian Summer Flowers that Grow in Dry Soil here!
Here are different types of gourds in India.
1. Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria Siceraria)
Indian Names: Lauki, Doodhi, Surakkai, Pechura, Sorakkaya, Sorekayi, Ladu, Tumada, Tiktalabu
It gets its name due to its thick bottle-like appearance. It is an annually occurring, climbing vine, known to have multiple health benefits. This gourd is beneficial for gut and heart health; it is also instrumental in weight loss and makes for an excellent post-workout drink. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh are leading producers of Bottle gourd in India
2. Bitter Gourd (Momordica Charantia)
Indian Names: Karala, Karelu, Karela, Kathilla, Poraru, Haagalakaay, Kaaraate, Kayppa, Pavaykka, Karon akhabi, Ambalem, Karali, Karelo, Changkha, Kaarvellakah, Kathillah, Paraaru, Sushavi, Urdhvaasitah, Iraca-valli, Pagakkai, Kakara
Karela is named so because of its origin in the south Indian state of Kerala. It is a tropical or subtropical vine of the gourd family. This gourd is helpful in weight loss and aids blood purification. It also helps in managing gut health and strengthens the immune system. States like Chhatisgarh, Andra Pradesh, Orrisa, and Telangana are the major karela producers in India.
Check Out 92 Vegetable Names in Indian Languages here!
3. Sponge Gourd (Luffa Cylindrica)
Indian Names: Ghia Torai, Palo, Neyangnattakolu, Bhatkakrel, Aibhi, Thuppada Heere
This round and rigged gourd have various medicinal uses in Ayurveda. Besides blood purification and skin treatment, it is also helpful in curing inflammation and constipation. You can also grow it as a decorative plant in your garden. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are avidly producing Sponge gourd.
4. Ridge Gourd (Luffa Acutangula)
Indian Names: Tita dhundul, Kadvi ghisodi, Ban turai, Kahihireya balli, Kodu ghosaale, Kattu peechil, Kattu peechinga, Divali, Kadu-dodaki , Jalini, Tikta-koshataki , Akaca-veni, Tittakocataki, Adavi bira, Chedu bira, Verri bira
Ridge gourds are one of the most loved vegetables in India. They are used in various ways in the cuisines of different states. These gourds are firm and have ridges all over them, hence the name. They aid in diabetes, digestion, and weight loss. Madhya Pradesh, Orrisa, and Maharashtra are the leading producers of these gourds.
5. Pointed Gourd (Trichosanthes Dioica)
Indian Names: Patol Patola, Parval, Kaadu Padaval, Kadu padavala, Kayi Parval, Patola, Lulka, Tikta, Panduka, Kambupudalai, Kommu Potla, Chedu Potla
The pointed gourd is a vine that comes in green color, with white stripes over it. Native to the Indian continent, it serves as a great medicine for various diseases. Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh serve as major pointed gourd producing states.
6. Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes Cucumerina)
Indian Names: Chachinda, Chichonda, Adla Balli, Adla kaayi, Bettada padavala, Padavalanga, Kaippam-patolam, Jangli padavala, Amritaphala, Bijagarbha, Pudalankaai, Alakaipputal, Potlakaaya, Adavi potla
These gourds are long and slender in shape, packed with vitamins and minerals, and serve as a great source of energy. They make an important part of Maharashtrian cuisine.
Check Out How to Grow Snake Gourd Vegetables in India here!
7. Ash Gourd (Benincasa Hispida)
Indian Names: Petha, Pethakaddu, Torobot, Kohla, Neer Poosanikai, Kumbalanga, Gummadikaaya, Budekumbalakayi, Boodu Gumbala, Kumra, Chalkumra, Komora, Brihatphala, Ghrinavasa, Gramyakarkati, Karkaru
Apart from its culinary uses, ash gourd serves multiple purposes. Highly packed with nutrients, it helps in combating acidity, stomach ulcers and also keeps the gut healthy. Furthermore, due to its anticoagulant properties, it can help prevent internal bleeding. The climate of north Indian states is apt for growing ash gourd.
8. Ivy Gourd (Coccinia Grandis)
Indian Names: Kundru, Tondli, Kovai, Kova, Donda kaya, Tondikay, Telakucha, Ban-kundri, Bimbika
Ivy Gourd is a tropical vine, growing mainly in the southern states of India. It serves many health purposes; for example, it helps in preventing obesity, improves digestion, increases metabolism, and strengthens the immune system. Moreover, it can help in regulating blood sugar levels also.
9. Spine Gourd (Momordica Dioica)
Indian Names: Ban karela, Kartoli, Katwal, Avandhya, Agakara, Kikoda
It is available in India mostly around monsoon season. Besides being rich in proteins and vitamins, it has very less amount of calories, thus, serving as excellent diet food. Furthermore, the commercial cultivation of spine gourd happens in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orrisa, and Maharashtra.
10. Apple Gourd (Praecitrullus Fistulosus)
Indian Names: Tinda, Dhemase, Bimbi, Kondvalli, Tendli
This easy to digest vegetable is one of the favorites in India. Eating apple gourd has many health benefits. It is an excellent diet for diabetes patients. It also helps in boosting the immune system and slows down the aging process. They can be grown throughout the year. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujrat are the largest producers of apple gourd.
11. Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus)
Indian Names: Khira, Thabi, Kankri, Vellarikkay, Vellari, Dosakaya, Soutekayi, Kakudi Trapushpa, Kantakilata
Cucumber is a highly nutritious vegetable, having hundreds of benefits. Not only it serves as healthy food, but it also has various other uses in skin treatment and medicines. No salad is complete without cucumbers in it. Moreover, it has high water content and low-calorie count, making it a favorite of weight watchers.
12. Indian Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)
Indian Names: Tinda, Dhemase, Kukuraikku, Peerkangaai, Telakucha, Kovakkai, Thokkudu, Tindora
Indian Round Gourd, also known as Tinda, is a small round vegetable with a greenish-white color and a slightly flattened shape. It is a member of the gourd family and is believed to have originated in India. Tinda is a popular vegetable in North India and is widely used in Indian cuisine.
Check Out How to Grow Tinda here!
13. Teasle Gourd ( Momordica dioica)
Teasle Gourd, also known as Kantola or Kakrol in India, is a small, spiny gourd that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a tropical vegetable that grows best in warm, humid climates and is commonly found in India, Southeast Asia, and other tropical regions.
14. White Gourd (Benincasa hispida)
Indian Names: Petha, Safed Petha, Kumbalanga, Boodida Gummadi Kaaya, Neer Poosanikai, Boodu Kakkarikka, Kashi Phal, Pethakaddu, Bhopala
It is a large, oblong-shaped vegetable that belongs to the gourd family. It has light green or white skin that is covered in a waxy coating, giving it a shiny appearance. The flesh inside is white, soft, and spongy, with small seeds in the center. The vegetable is mildly sweet in taste, with a slightly crunchy texture. It is often used in soups, stews, and curries, where it absorbs the flavors of spices and other ingredients.
15. Green Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)
Indian Names: Torai, Peerkangai, Jhinga, Heerakai, Beerakai, Dodka, Ghia Tori, Ghosavala
Green Gourd is a long, cylindrical-shaped vegetable that belongs to the gourd family. It has smooth, dark green skin with ridges running along its length and white, spongy flesh inside with small, soft seeds. The vegetable is mild in taste, with a slightly sweet and refreshing flavor. The vegetable can also be grated and added to chutneys or salads or used to make fritters and pakoras.
16. Indian Marrow Gourd (Cucurbita pepo)
Indian Names: Ghiya Tori, Churakkai, Beera Kaaya, Peerkangai, Dhunduli, Kadu Mavinkai, Kaduu
It is a long, cylindrical-shaped vegetable with smooth, light green skin with a slightly waxy texture, and white, spongy flesh inside with small, soft seeds. The vegetable is mild in taste, with a slightly sweet and refreshing flavor. Indian Marrow Gourd is a versatile vegetable that is used in many ways in Indian cuisine. It is often used in stir-fries, curries, and soups, where it pairs well with spices and other ingredients.
17. Hedgehog Gourd (Cucumis dipsaceus)
Indian Names: Kantola, Karchikai, Kankoda, Kakrol, Mayakka, Bhankatiya, Turiya, Nune Vankaya
Hedgehog is a unique and nutritious vegetable that is widely used in Indian cuisine. Its slightly bitter taste and crunchy texture make it a popular choice for home cooks and professional chefs alike, and its health benefits make it a valuable addition to any diet.
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18. Long Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)
Indian Names: Sorakaya, Dudhi, Sorekai, Lau, Suraikkai, Churakka
Long Gourd is a long and cylindrical-shaped vegetable that belongs to the gourd family. It has smooth and light green skin, white spongy flesh with small soft seeds, and a mild flavor. It is also grated and used in the preparation of various chutneys, or it can be sliced and fried as a crispy snack. The vegetable pairs well with a variety of spices and other ingredients, making it a popular choice in Indian cooking.
19. Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida)
Indian Names: Petha, Kumbalanga, Boodida Gummadikaya, Kalyana Poosanikai, Kohla, Padavalanga, Pethakaddu, Petha Kumbalakayi
Wax Gourd is a large, oblong-shaped vegetable that belongs to the gourd family. It has a waxy coating on its skin, which gives it its name, and its flesh is soft, white, and mildly sweet. Wax Gourd is widely used in Indian cuisine and is very popular due to its versatility and health benefits.
20. Hog Plum (Spondias mombin)
Indian Names: Amra, Amte Kai, Vilayati Imli, Vadakapuli, Amrataka, Ambade
Hog Plum is a tropical fruit that is native to India but is also found in other parts of South and Southeast Asia. It is a small, oval-shaped fruit that is about the size of a golf ball, with a greenish-yellow skin and a tangy, sour flavor. The fruit is also used to make refreshing drinks, such as sherbets and juices. In addition to its culinary uses, Hog Plum is also used in traditional Indian medicine to treat various ailments, including fever, diarrhea, and respiratory infections.
So, we can conclude that the Gourds are indeed a staple for Indian households. More importantly, if your mother never forced you to eat gourds, are you even Indian?
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Missed out on ash gourd and chayote.
Bade kaam ki jankari hai. Thanks.
Hello
Can someone please tell me the difference between Ash Gourde amd Bottle Gourde?
I want to buy Ash Gourde powder but it all seems to be Bottle Goirde that is for sale in powder form
Can you recommend where I can buy this from please
I live in the UK
I really need this for my health amd the real fruit is too messy amd time consuming
Thank you
Ash gourd is huge and is called pumpkin but bottle gourd is more slender, they are two different gourds.Ash gourd juice has a lot of health benefits.
Ridge Guard is also called as Dodka in maharashtra and sponge gaurd as Gilka.
In gujarat also ridge guard – gisoli
Sponge – gilki
bahut bhaddiya content hai thanks for sharing
Thanks a Million. What is Pumpkin? Is t called Gourd? Show Image Please and oblige.
Hog Plum is not a Gourd, then why did you add Hog Plum in the list of Gourd?