You know those fancy natural sponges you see at farmers’ markets and co-ops–loofahs? They don’t come from the sea like you may think, but from the soil. Commonly spelled loofah while marketed as a sponge, luffa is more often used when referring to the plant. Don’t get confused, they’re the same thing, and they’re actually gourds, in the cucurbit family alongside pumpkins, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and melons.
Although most Americans are only familiar with the luffa as a sponge, it has been enjoyed as a tasty vegetable for centuries where it originated in east asian countries. Harvested at a young stage, luffas are used in curries, stir fries, soups, and more. Most likely, the reason we see luffas sold for cleaning rather than for eating is because, to the western perspective, that’s more popular and profitable. We already had zucchini and summer squash to eat, so when the luffa made its way west, it seemed to be with sudsy intentions. Heck, most people might not even know about natural loofahs if they grew up calling those plastic shower puffs by the same name.
From Seed to Sponge
Okay, I know you might be thinking, But, really, how does a sponge come from a gourd? The luffa fruit must be left on the vine until it turns from green to brown and fully dries (note that this is subject to variety, as some types of luffas are still green when dry and ready for harvest). If they’re harvested a bit prematurely, they can still be fully dried afterwards. Picking one up, the luffa should be very light, not squishy at all, and the seeds inside should shake like a maraca. To start processing it, peel the skin to expose the dried xylem fibers inside, then, soak in warm water to wash it, and finish by laying it out to dry. Soaking and washing the luffa helps ensure all the skin and seeds are removed, and that the water runs clear for its first day on the job.
This is the first season VRDNT has tried growing luffas, and we’re pleased with the results. We just picked and processed the first harvest, and, yes, we’re growing them for cleaning, not eating. Our luffa sponges will be featured at the next Mueller Farmers’ Market this coming Sunday. We hope to see you there!
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