Luo Han Guo

Ingredient Name:

Luo Han Guo, Siraitia Grosvernorii, Arhat’s fruit, Monk’s fruit

Traditional Chinese Name:

羅漢果 (luóhàn guǒ)

 This ingredient is slightly cooling and sweet.

For the dried versions, I will rinse under warm water first and pat dry.  Then using the flat side of a knife, smash it.  Literally!  It will break into shreds as the outer shell is very hard and reveal a shriveled core with seeds.  Some use only the shell, but I’ll use both the core and shell.

For soups, I’ll only use a quarter, but some recipes do call for half if you’d like.  It’s really a preferred taste on how sweet you’d like it.

For teas, I will also use only a quarter.

Where can I buy it?

• You can purchase these from most Asian supermarkets prepackaged
• You can also purchase this in bulk from specialty stores (online herbal shops)
• The one thing I did notice is that the Chinese prepared ones are different from Western prepared red dates.  So just check to be sure they look like the above photos.  

Any benefits?

• A cooling herb designed to cool the body and lungs
• It targets the lungs and help nourish, moisten, and replenish lung yin
• It’s designed for yin deficiency primarily (or also dry heat, which is excess yang) and also replenishes Qi and Blood
• This ingredient is already sweet, so you don’t need much sugar if you’re making a tea
• It’s packed full of antioxidants and helps detoxify the body
• Great for addressing dry coughs and sore throats!

Looking to build your basic Chinese Soup Pantry?