Gowok Fruit

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Gowok fruit (also known as kupa or kepa), with the scientific name Eugenia polycephala Miq., is a native Indonesian fruit belonging to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). The fruit is small and round, resembling a blueberry, with a dark purple color when ripe. It has a refreshing sweet-and-sour taste and is commonly eaten fresh or used in rujak (traditional fruit salad). Today, gowok is increasingly rare.

Gowok

This fruit grows in clusters directly on the trunk and branches and is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, making it beneficial for health. The gowok tree is native to Indonesia, particularly Java, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan.

Characteristics of the Gowok Plant

The gowok tree grows to a height of 8–20 meters, with a trunk diameter of up to 50 cm. Its leaves are single and oval-shaped, measuring approximately 17–25 cm in length and 6–7 cm in width.

The flowers are arranged in panicles, with white petals and numerous stamens. This plant grows wild in secondary forests at elevations of 200–1,800 meters above sea level, especially in Java and Kalimantan, and is also commonly planted in home gardens.

Gowok Tree

The fruit is round and slightly flattened, with a small diameter of about 2–3 cm, and grows in clusters with the calyx remaining attached at the tip of the fruit. The skin is glossy dark purple, while the flesh is white or purplish-red, juicy, and has a sweet-sour taste with a slightly astringent note.

Inside the fruit are flattened seeds with white or purplish-red skins. The combination of shape, color, and flavor makes gowok fruit distinctive and easy to recognize among similar plants.

Ecology and Uses

Gowok grows wild mainly in secondary forests at elevations between 200 and 1,800 meters above sea level. It is also cultivated in home gardens and agroforestry areas. The fruit grows in clusters on the trunk and branches, often in secondary forests or residential yards.

Gowok is primarily cultivated for its fruit, which is often sold in markets for fresh consumption or processed into various dishes.

In addition to its fruit, gowok wood, which has a reddish color, is used as a building material and for household furniture.

Herbal Benefits

Traditionally, gowok fruit is believed to have a wide range of medicinal benefits. Its leaves and fruit skin contain saponins and flavonoids, while the bark is rich in polyphenols. Some of its reported benefits include:

  • Treating diarrhea
  • Helping reduce acne
  • Treating skin diseases such as scabies and itching
  • Preventing premature aging
  • Maintaining stomach acid balance
  • Detoxifying the body
  • Helping treat diabetes
  • The reddish wood is also used for construction and furniture.
  • The plant reproduces through seeds.
Gowok Leaves

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
  • Superdivision: Spermatophyta
  • Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • Subclass: Rosidae
  • Order: Myrtales
  • Family: Myrtaceae
  • Genus: Eugenia
  • Species: Eugenia polycephala Miq.

Nutritional Content

Vitamins: Contains vitamin C and phenolic compounds that provide strong antioxidant activity.

Fiber: Provides dietary fiber, which aids digestion and supports gut health.

Minerals: Contains calcium, important for bone health.

Carbohydrates: The sweet-and-sour flavor indicates the presence of natural sugars.

Health Benefits

  • Rich in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation
  • Contains carbohydrates, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and dietary fiber
  • Believed to help prevent cancer, as antioxidants accelerate cell regeneration

Rarity Status

Gowok fruit is becoming increasingly difficult to find due to competition from imported fruits and a declining population, making it a unique and rare fruit.

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