Plump, nutritious and delicious, the pumpkin is a cultivar of winter squash identified by its round or oval shape, and is normally green or orange in colour.

1, Native to Central America

One of the oldest domesticated crops for human consumption, the pumpkin is native to Central America, but is now grown in six continents.

Superfood

Pumpkin is one superfood with an impressive nutrition profile, offering you multiple health benefits. The pumpkin’ s bright orange colour comes from carotenoids like beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. They are essential for eye health, preventing the formation of cataracts and reducing the risk of macular degeneration. Besides, carotenoids also function as antioxidants. Studies have found that higher intake of carotenoids has been linked to reduced risk of cancers.

With immune-boosting nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C and iron, eating pumpkin also helps build a strong immune system.

Weight-friendly

With a mere 50 kcal with zero fat content in 1 cup of cooked pumpkin, it is a weight-friendly food you will grow to appreciate .

Diabetic Friendly

Pumpkin is thought to be a starchy vegetable as it contains higher carbohydrate content than leafy greens. Though it ranks high on the glycemic index* (GI of 75), the glycemic load (GL) which is a better indication of a food’s impact on blood sugar and takes into account portion size is only 3. Pumpkin might be exceptionally good for people with diabetes, as it contains fibre , polysaccharides and puerarin which help in maintaining healthy blood sugar level and supports the prevention of diabetes.

No waste vegetable

From its flesh to skin and seeds, the whole pumpkin is edible. Technically, the skin of nearly all pumpkin varieties is edible, while pumpkins with harder skin, like Japanese pumpkin might need to be cooked for a longer time. In fact, recipes such as tempura and simmered Japanese pumpkin keep the skin on. Pumpkin seeds are nutrient powerhouses in itself, being high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, magnesium and L-tryptophan which improves mood.

One versatile ingredient

Pumpkin is delicious, versatile and easy to add into your diet. Its sweet flavour makes it a popular ingredient in dishes like custards, pies and desserts. Nevertheless, it works just as well in savory dishes such as roasted vegetables, soups, stir-fries and stews. The easiest way to eat pumpkin is to season it with some salt and pepper and roast it in the oven. Plain pumpkin in pureed form can also be baby’s first food.

Pumpkin is a fruit

From a botanist’s perspective, the pumpkin is a fruit because it develops from the flowering part of a pumpkin vine, and it also contains seeds. Vegetables, on the other hand, are the edible portion of plants such as leaves, stems, roots, bulbs, flowers and tubers. But because pumpkin is less sweet and more savoury from a culinary perspective, it is categorized as a vegetable.

Warm season crop

The pumpkin is a warm season crop, and its sweet taste is irresistible to pests. Thus it takes extra effort in cultivating organic pumpkin without the usage of chemicals that is detrimental to human health and our environment. Organic pumpkins are said to be very tasty – its sweet taste and bright yellow-orange flesh are both a visual treat and taste treat amongst children and adults.

ZENXIN’s organic Australian pumpkin is lovingly grown in ideal climate and soil condition, resulting in naturally sweeter pumpkin with fluffy texture. Free from pesticides, chemicals and toxins, it is also non-GMO and certified organic by NASAA.

We love our organic pumpkin so much we have made it into different wholesome products.

*Classification of GI: Low ≤55, Medium 56-69, High ≥70

*Classification of GL: Low ≤10, Medium 11-19, High ≥20

Info adapted from:

Institute of Integrative Nutrition- Five Reasons Pumpkin is the Superfood of the Season

Healthline- 9 Impressive Health Benefits for Pumpkin

Times of India- Is pumpkin good for diabetics

Have a plant- Are pumpkins a fruit or a vegetable? What is the difference between the two?

Berries.com- Is Pumpkin a Fruit or Vegetable-