If you're wondering 'what is a luffa?', you've come to the right place!
Luffa (also spelled loofah) is a plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes cucumbers, melons and pumpkins. It grows fast on vines producing long green fruits that resemble large zucchinis or cucumbers. The vines can reach 15-30 feet (4.5-9 meters) or more! This plant thrives in warm, tropical and subtropical climates with plenty of sunlight.
Eaten as a delicacy
When the loofah is young and tender, it can be harvested and eaten as a vegetable. The outer skin is peeled and the inner flesh sliced or diced. The texture is similar to a cucumber or zucchini and the flavour is mild, making it versatile for various dishes, such as soups, stir-fries and curries. This delicacy is most common in Asian cuisines, particularly Chinese, Indian and Southeast Asian. This vegetable is low in calories and contains vitamins A and C, along with dietary fibre.
Made as a sponge
When the fruit is left on the vine to fully ripen, the outer skin hardens and the inner flesh dries out, leaving behind a network of fibrous material. This process typically takes several months. This fibrous structure creates what we know as a loofah sponge, which can be used for:
Seep's Sponge Scourer
Loofah sponges are 100% natural and compostable, making them an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic sponges and plastic scrubbers. Our best-selling sponge scourer is made of one part loofah and one part wood pulp cellulose, both renewable materials that break down into harmless organic waste.
