monkfruit
monkfruit Lexical Profile
• noun
A natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the juice of this fruit, containing mogrosides that make it significantly sweeter than regular table sugar.
"Many modern keto-friendly desserts substitute cane sugar with monkfruit to keep the carbohydrate count low."
A small, green, melon-like fruit produced by the herbaceous perennial vine Siraitia grosvenorii, native to southern China and northern Thailand, known for its intensely sweet flesh.
"The farmers carefully harvested the fresh monkfruit before it could begin to ferment in the humid climate."
Word Nuance & Usage
In most global commercial contexts, 'monkfruit' refers to the zero-calorie powdered or liquid sweetener extracted from the plant, as the highly perishable fresh fruit is rarely exported from its native growing regions.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A literal translation of the Chinese name 'luóhàn guǒ' (arhat fruit), named in honor of the Buddhist monks (arhats) who first cultivated the vine in the mountains of southern China centuries ago.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.