White Choko: The Rare, Rambling Wonder You’ll Want in Your Garden
- Andrea
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
Move over zucchinis, there’s a new climbing hero in town. If you’ve never grown a white choko, you’re in for a treat. It’s rare, it’s productive, and it’s far more versatile than people give it credit for.
At Vast Harvest Permaculture, we’ve fallen head over heels for this underappreciated gem. And we’re not alone, gardeners across Australia are rediscovering the white choko, not just for its novelty, but for its insane productivity, resilience, and kitchen potential.
Let’s dig in…
A Brief History of the Choko (White & Green)
The choko, also known as chayote, is a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), and it originated in Mesoamerica, likely in southern Mexico or Guatemala, where it was cultivated by the Aztecs and Mayans. The plant has been grown for centuries for its edible fruit, leaves, shoots, and roots.
Chokos made their way around the world through trade routes and colonial expansion, eventually landing in Australia where they thrived thanks to the warm climate and vigorous vines.
In Australia, chokos became widely known as a wartime and Depression-era staple, they were cheap, easy to grow, and extremely prolific. Many older Aussies remember their nannas sneaking them into stews, chutneys, and even desserts to bulk out meals.
What Makes the White Choko So Special?
You’ve probably seen green chokos before — in roadside boxes, old-school veggie patches, or maybe simmering in your nan’s stew. They’ve been a humble staple for generations.
But the white choko?
That’s a whole different story.
This lesser-known variety is a bit of a garden gem. While it comes from the same Mesoamerican origins as the green choko — cultivated for centuries by the Aztecs and Mayans — the white version is far less common and often considered a heritage or heirloom variety.
So, what makes it special?
It’s a great talking point – Most people have never seen a white choko before. Perfect for garden tours or sparking curiosity among visitors.
Slightly sweeter flavour & smoother texture – It’s less fibrous than green chokos and can blend seamlessly into both savoury dishes and desserts.
A stunning climber – White chokos look gorgeous trailing up fences, archways, or climbing trees.
Hardy and productive – Like its green cousin, it grows like it’s on a mission. We’ve had ours take over multiple archways and produce fruit like mad, even in tough soil conditions.
Stores well – Once picked, they last a decent while, which makes them perfect for batch cooking, preserving, or gifting.
They’re not mass-produced commercially, which makes them a rare find, especially here in Australia. If you’re after something productive, edible, and just a little bit special, this is the variety to grow.
How to Grow White Chokos (Even If You’re a Beginner)
Chokos are one of the easiest things to grow if you give them room. Whether you’re in a small backyard or a sprawling food forest, here’s what they need:
A sunny spot
Room to climb (think trellis, fence, or chicken run)
A bit of compost or aged manure
Water in dry spells
To make it ridiculously easy for you, we’ve put together a FREE White Choko Growing Guide, with tips, troubleshooting, and what to expect from season to season.
FREE: Choko Recipe Sampler Booklet
Still not sure what to do with all those chokos? We’ve got you.
We’ve created a free choko recipe sampler, a downloadable booklet with a handful of our favourite ways to use chokos in the kitchen.
Inside, you’ll find:
Choko Chutney with Dates & Mustard Seeds
Choko & Pumpkin Thai Soup
Choko & Leek Quiche
Choko Stir-Fry with Garlic, Ginger & Sesame
Choko Sticky Date Pudding
It’s our gift to help you start cooking creatively with chokos
The Ultimate Choko Cookbook – 20 Flavour-Packed Recipes
Ready for more? We’ve compiled 20 bold, flavour-packed recipes into one beautiful, full-colour cookbook, featuring everything from nostalgic favourites to recipes that surprise even the choko-haters.
Quick sides and pickles
Comforting mains
Unexpected sweets
And zero boring boiled chokos
You’ve got two ways to grab it:
Want it instantly?
Prefer a printed copy for your kitchen?
👉 Preorder the printed cookbook here for $16.95 (includes the full digital version FREE — regular price will be $21.95 after the first print run)
Whether you’re harvesting buckets or just planting your first vine, you’ll never look at chokos the same way again.
Want to Grow Your Own?
We’ve got a limited batch of white choko seed fruit ready to go, straight from our farm. These are perfect for planting now so you’ll be harvesting your own in no time.
Loving the choko recipes!