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The Curious Bag
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Loofahs, or luffas, are the fibrous seed pod portions of a gourd on a vine. When matured, the vine's cylinder-shaped fruits grow into a long, fibrous pod that contains the loofah. The resulting sponge is commonly used for scrubbing and exfoliating in the bath.
History
The fruits and flowers of the loofah gourd have been used for centuries by Asian and African cultures as a food source. The sponge-like seed pod used in various applications such as soaps, mats and, more commonly, as a bath sponge.
Scientific Family
Loofahs are the inner part of a gourd. They are members of the Cucurbitaceae plant family, which also includes melons, squashes and cucumbers.
Varieties
The types of loofahs grown can vary depending on their desired use. Loofahs grown for their edibility usually contain less dense fibers than those grown commercially for their sponges. A loofah's size and shape also varies depending on the type of gourd planted.
Commercial Versus Natural
A naturally grown, unaltered loofah is usually dark or tan in color. Loofahs grown or purchased by a commercial supplier may be bleached white.
Fun Fact
Prior to World War II, most loofahs produced in the U.S. were used as filters in a ship's boiler. A loofah's dense makeup also makes it ideal for scrubbing pots.
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