White Choko: The Rare, Rambling Wonder You’ll Want in Your Garden
- Andrea
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 28
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, productive, and 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…
Discover the White Choko: A Hidden Treasure
The white choko, also known as chayote, is a delightful climbing plant that deserves more recognition. This underutilized favorite offers a unique twist to your garden and kitchen, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts and novices alike.
A Brief History of the Choko (White & Green)
The choko is a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It originated in Mesoamerica, likely in southern Mexico or Guatemala, where it was cultivated by the Aztecs and Mayans. This plant has been grown for centuries for its edible fruit, leaves, shoots, and roots.
Chokos traveled the world through trade routes and colonial expansion. They eventually made their way to Australia, where they thrived due 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 likely seen green chokos before—in roadside boxes, veggie patches, or 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 garden gem. While it comes from Mesoamerican origins like 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.
Unique Features of the White Choko
So, what makes it special?
A Great Talking Point: Most people have never seen a white choko before. It's perfect for garden tours or sparking curiosity among visitors.
Slightly Sweeter Flavor and Smoother Texture: It’s less fibrous than green chokos and blends seamlessly into both savory dishes and desserts.
A Stunning Climber: White chokos look beautiful trailing up fences, archways, or climbing trees.
Hardy and Productive: Like its green cousin, it grows aggressively. We've had ours take over multiple archways and produce fruit abundantly, even in challenging soil conditions.
Stores Well: Once picked, they last a decent while, making them perfect for batch cooking, preserving, or gifting.
They are not mass-produced commercially, making them a rare find, especially here in Australia. If you’re seeking something productive, edible, and a little special, this is the variety to grow.
How to Grow White Chokos (Even If You’re a Beginner)
Chokos are among the easiest plants to grow if provided with enough space. Whether you’re in a small backyard or pruning 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 during dry spells
To make it easier 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 unsure what to do with all those chokos? We’ve got you covered.
We’ve created a free choko recipe sampler. This downloadable booklet features several of our favorite 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-color cookbook. This collection features everything from nostalgic favorites to surprising recipes for even the most skeptical 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 have a limited batch of white choko seed fruit ready to go, straight from our farm. These seeds are perfect for planting now. You’ll be harvesting your own choko in no time!
Loving the choko recipes!