Story of Monk Fruit
Monk fruit, which is also called luo han guo, is a small green melon that was cultivated for centuries by Buddhist luóhàn monks—hence, its name. The fruit is native to southern China and northern Thailand and is supposed to offer a variety of health benefits.
It is difficult to pick up lo han guo at your local market, because the fruit is picky about where it grows. Unless you live in a sub-tropical region near the mountains, it’s highly unlikely that the fruit will get to your locality in its fresh form. About 70 percent of the world’s monk fruit is still grown in its area of origin, and the fruit tends to go rancid rather quickly after it is harvested.