Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the cucumber family. Very popular in China, India and Vietnam, the fruits, fully ripened, are very fibrous. But, harvested at a young stage of development, they are perfectly edible. In fact in Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Philippines it's a common ingredient especially in soups. From the ripest ones we make scrubbing sponges, used in bathrooms and kitchens. When loofah is allowed to fully ripen and then dry out on the vine, the flesh disappears leaving only the fibrous skeleton and seeds (they can be easily shaken out). You can use this natural sponge as an excellent body scrub.
Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the cucumber family. Very popular in China, India and Vietnam, the fruits, fully ripened, are very fibrous. But, harvested at a young stage of development, they are perfectly edible. In fact in Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Philippines it's a common ingredient especially in soups. From the ripest ones we make scrubbing sponges, used in bathrooms and kitchens. When loofah is allowed to fully ripen and then dry out on the vine, the flesh disappears leaving only the fibrous skeleton and seeds (they can be easily shaken out). You can use this 