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Tindora fruits are small in size, averaging 6-9 centimeters in length, and are ovoid to ellipsoid in shape, connected to slender climbing vines and broad, wide, five-lobed leaves. The skin is smooth with variegations and light striping of pale green, dark green, and white hues. Underneath the surface, the translucent white flesh is aqueous and crisp, encasing many seeds in a slippery, pale red coating. Tindora fruits are juicy and crunchy when young with a mild, slightly bitter aftertaste. As the fruit matures, it develops a soft and a sweeter quality, and depending on variety, the skin can also change to bright red.
Seasons/Availability
Tindora are available year-round.
Current Facts
Tindora, botanically classified as Coccinia grandis, is a vigorous, tropical climbing vine that can grow up to ten centimeters per day and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Found growing in the wild and cultivated for its edible shoots and fruits, Tindora has several other common vernacular names that vary by region including Dondakaya, Scarlet gourd, Ivy gourd, Kovakka, Tendli, and Tondi. Though Tindora is a favored ingredient in Indian cooking, it is also considered an aggressive invasive species in other parts of the world as it grows dense foliage smothering other plants. Tindora is favored for its crunchy texture and is utilized in heavily spiced dishes to add a cooling, mild flavor.
Nutritional Value
Tindora is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B, and beta-carotene. It is also known for its toxin eliminating properties and can help clean the bloodstream.
Applications
Tindora can be eaten raw as a salad vegetable, though its bitter flavor can be strong so the addition of vinegar and sugar can reduce or remove any bitter aftertaste the fruit may impart. The fruit is more popularly cooked and added to curries, stir-fries, and used as the main ingredient in Indian pickles and chutneys. They can also be coated in spices and roasted as a crunchy side dish. In India, Tindora is commonly utilized in urad dal, which is Tindora soaked in warm water cooked with lentils, Tindora Payla, which is Tindora mixed with spices and dried, roasted lentils, or slow-cooked in coconut milk as a savory curry. In Southeast Asia, the leaves, shoots, and stems are used as potherbs in soups or served in rice dishes. Tindora naturally absorbs accompanying flavors. It pairs well with ginger, garlic, chiles, stewed meats and vegetables, baked fish, coconut cream, peanuts, pickling spices such as mustard and coriander, light-bodied vinegar, and aromatics such as cumin and cilantro. The fruits are perishable and will keep up to one week when stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In India, Tindora is used in Ayurvedic medicine as a way to reduce inflammation and as a treatment to help regulate sugars in the body, especially for diabetic patients. It is also used to maintain the health of endocrine glands for overall well-being. In addition to the fruits, the leaves are made into a paste and applied topically to help heal skin wounds caused by leprosy, psoriasis, and scabies. Tindora is also a popular home garden plant in Southern India for culinary and medicinal uses and is grown along walls and fences.
Geography/History
Tindora plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. The vine was then quickly dispersed by both animals and humans across Asia, and since its first cultivation, Tindora has been introduced as a food crop in Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, the Southern United States, including Hawaii. Today Tindora can be found growing in the wild and at local markets in India, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Guam, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Australia, and the United States.
Chekiye Tuesday Bazaar
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As Tindora fruits mature, their texture softens and their flavor transitions to a sweeter profile. Additionally, the outer skin may shift to a vibrant red hue, varying based on the specific variety.
LuLu Hypermarket
Al Khaleej Rd 699a Dubai United Arab Emirates
+971 4 325 0400
Tindora absorbs accompanying flavors well, making it a versatile addition to many dishes. It pairs especially well with garlic, ginger, chiles, and aromatics like cumin and cilantro. It also complements stewed meats and vegetables, baked fish, coconut cream, peanuts, and pickling spices such as mustard and coriander. To preserve its freshness, Tindora can be stored for up to one week in a paper bag in the refrigerator.
Kodachadri stall 01-32
Tindora is a climbing vine in the Cucurbitaceae family, growing up to ten centimeters per day. It is known for its crunchy texture and mild flavor, making it ideal for heavily spiced dishes. Common names include Dondakaya, Ivy gourd, Kovakka, and Tendli, among others. While popular in Indian cooking, it is classified as an invasive species in some regions due to its ability to smother other plants with dense foliage.
Foodtown Supermarket
6431 Stirling rd. Davie, Florida 33314
954-797-7790
Tindora plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. They were dispersed by animals and humans, becoming an important food crop in places like Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and the Southern United States, including Hawaii. Today, Tindora grows wild and is sold in markets across India, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Guam, and various Pacific islands like Samoa and Fiji.
Tindora: In India, Tindora is valued for its culinary and medicinal uses, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine. It helps reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and maintain endocrine gland health. Beyond the fruit, its leaves are crafted into a paste to heal skin conditions like psoriasis and scabies. It is also commonly grown in home gardens along walls and fences, reflecting its versatile benefits and popularity.
Tindora fruits are small in size, measuring about 6-9 centimeters in length, and feature an ovoid to ellipsoid shape. They grow on slender climbing vines with broad, five-lobed leaves. Their smooth skin displays variegated patterns in green and white hues, while the internal white flesh is crisp and encases seeds with a pale red coating. When young, they are juicy and crunchy with a mild bitterness, but as they mature, the flesh softens, becomes sweeter, and the skin may shift to bright red.
Food Town Grocery
6431 Stirling Rd Davie Davie FL 33314
1 (954) 797-7791
Tindora is a versatile ingredient widely used in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines. It can be eaten raw in salads, though its bitterness often calls for vinegar or sugar to balance the flavor. Popularly cooked, it's featured in curries, stir-fries, pickles, chutneys, or roasted as a side dish. Known for its ability to absorb flavors, Tindora pairs well with bold ingredients like garlic, chiles, coconut cream, and aromatic spices such as cumin and mustard. Stored properly, it lasts about a week.
Food Town Grocery
6431 Stirling Rd Davie Davie FL 33314
1 (954) 797-7791
Tindora: This tropical vine, scientifically named Coccinia grandis, is valued for its edible shoots and fruits and can grow up to ten centimeters daily. Known by various names like Ivy gourd, Kovakka, and Tendli, Tindora adds a cooling and mild flavor to spiced dishes. However, it's considered an invasive species in some regions since its dense foliage can smother local plants. It boasts substantial amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B, beta-carotene, and helps to detoxify the bloodstream.
Niligiris Cash And Carry
114 S Abel Street Milpitas CA 95035
(408) 956-9509
Tindora Geography: Tindora plants originated from tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. Over time, they were spread by animals and humans across Asia and beyond. Today, you can find Tindora growing wild or sold in markets across India, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, Australia, and even parts of the Southern United States, including Hawaii.
Me-Kong Supermarket
380 S Main Street Milpitas CA 95035
(408) 493-5777
Tindora: In Ayurvedic medicine, Tindora is valued for its ability to reduce inflammation and regulate sugar levels, benefiting diabetic patients. It supports endocrine gland health for overall well-being. Beyond the edible fruits, its leaves are made into a paste to heal skin wounds caused by conditions like leprosy and psoriasis. In Southern India, it thrives in home gardens, often grown along walls and fences.
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