Gac – A Hidden Nutritional Treasure
Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis), a fruit native to tropical regions, is commonly grown in the northern and central provinces of Vietnam. Beneath its rough, orange-red exterior lies a treasure trove of some of the most valuable nutrients in the plant kingdom.
According to research by the Vietnam Institute of Nutrition, gac contains 40 times more vitamin C than oranges and nearly 10 times more than carrots. It is also rich in beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) and lycopene, two powerful antioxidants known for their anti-aging, eye health, and skin protection properties.
Trương Thanh, a nutrition expert at the Beijing Food Research Institute in China, emphasizes the uniqueness of gac: “Gac is an extraordinary fruit with an exceptional natural nutrient profile. Incorporating gac into your daily diet can boost immunity and protect against free radical-induced diseases, especially cardiovascular ailments and age-related macular degeneration.”
Vietnam: From Local Gac to a Billion-Dollar Export
Who would have thought that the fruit associated with traditional gac sticky rice has become a potential export commodity for Vietnamese agriculture? According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam exports thousands of tons of fresh gac, gac oil, and gac-based products to demanding markets such as Japan, South Korea, China, Germany, and France annually.
The allure of Vietnamese gac lies in its superior quality. Most gac is grown naturally without chemicals, preserving its vibrant color, rich flavor, and high nutritional value. Many businesses have invested in deep processing, producing pure gac oil and gac capsules for export, significantly increasing the economic value compared to fresh fruit sales.
Le Van Thanh, director of an agricultural export company in Hanoi, shares his insights: “Vietnamese gac, especially in the form of gac oil or powder, is highly favored in the international market. Our partners appreciate the consistent quality, food safety, and outstanding nutritional benefits of our products.”
Incorporating Gac into Your Diet – A Small Change for Big Health Benefits
Gac is not only used in the traditional sticky rice dish but has also become a versatile ingredient in creative dishes. You can add gac to smoothies with bananas and yogurt, cook gac soup with minced meat, or make your own gac oil to dress salads or cook porridge for your little ones.
Thu Hang, a 35-year-old from Hanoi, shares her experience: “Ever since I learned about the amazing benefits of gac, I’ve been making gac sticky rice or adding gac oil to my family’s meals. It’s delicious and a great way to boost our natural vitamin C intake.”
Nutrition experts recommend combining gac with a small amount of oil or natural fat to enhance the absorption of beta-carotene and lycopene, ensuring you get the maximum health benefits from this remarkable fruit.
Tips for Selecting and Storing Gac
When buying gac, choose fruits with a bright orange-red color, slightly soft skin, evenly spaced spines, and a firm feel. Ripe gac will have a subtle fragrance, and the flesh will be soft, supple, and a vibrant red.
If you’re not using the gac immediately, store it in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Once cut, use it within 1-2 days, or separate the flesh and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for later use.
Conclusion
Gac, a seemingly ordinary fruit, holds a treasure of nutrients that benefit our health. By incorporating gac into our daily meals, we not only preserve the culinary traditions of our homeland but also contribute to the well-being of our loved ones. And it is a matter of pride that this humble fruit is helping to introduce Vietnamese agricultural products to the world.
