Luffa also spelled loofah called the sponge gourd or cucumber, or Hechima in Japanese is a fruit rich in dietary fiber. In addition to its use as a food, it can also be found as an active ingredient in some brands of face lotion and window curtains, among many other eco-friendly ways it is used.

In Japan, it is primarily harvested out of Okinawa and in the southern part of Kyushu. Cooked in miso, eaten alongside vegetables, or fried up in a crispy Tempura are some examples of how it is eaten. Luffa produced out of Okinawa is sometimes refereed as Nabera. Luffa is a notable part of the traditional Okinawan Diet.

In terms of nutritional balance, the luffa is said to be good source of vitamins and minerals, particularly helpful in fighting off heat stroke in the hot summers of Okinawa. It is an excellent source of folic acid and vitamin K.