The kiwi-resemblance fruit is actually Monk Fruit. The dried small green melon is commonly found in Asia as a type of Traditional Medicine. The plain-looking fruit is actually nutrient-pack and flavourful.

 In TCM, Monk fruit is considered to be a cooling ingredient. It has a nourishing effect and is high in antioxidant. Commonly used to relieve cough, sore throat and respiratory issue , Luo Han Guo is one of my personal favourite.

On the other hand, Monk fruit is used as a sweeter in the western country. Many used Monk Fruit sweeter as an alternative to sugar for diabetic patients.

罗汉果味甘性凉，归肺、大肠经，有润肺止咳，生津止渴的功效，适用于肺热或肺燥咳嗽，百日咳及暑热伤津口渴等，此外还有润肠通便的功效。所以是糖尿病、肥胖等不宜吃糖者的理想替代饮料

How to choose Monk Fruit:

Blemishes on the fruit? Noise when you shake? It does not really matter on the quality of the Monk fruit. What truly matters is the size of the fruit. As we will be using the shell, this makes the larger in size, the better. Most of the nutrient are pack in the shell of the Monk Fruit. Thus, most larger Monk Fruit has a thicker shell compared to smaller Monk Fruit. Nonetheless, small monk fruit is definitely better than having none.

You can get your Monk Fruit in Traditional Medical Hall or Asian Supermarket.

Monk Fruit Red Dates Herbal Tea Recipe

Ingredient:

·      1 Large Monk Fruit

·      5 Red Dates/ Jujube

·      2l of water

Preparing

1.     Rinse Monk Fruit and ensure that no dirt is stuck to the skin

2.     Crack the Monk Fruit open with your bare hand and remove the seed if you don’t want it to be overly sweet and because it is considered as “heaty”

3.     Break the shell into pieces

4.     Rinse Red Dates and remove the seed

Direction

1.       Add Red dates and Monk fruit into the pot of water

2.       Bring water to boil

3.       Simmer for 3 Minute

4.       Serve warm or chilled