The present invention provides a method of preparing whole fruit extract from the fruits of the Curcubitaceae family. The method includes extracting the peel and pulp of whole fruits by boiling water. In one embodiment, there is provided Luo Han Guo whole fruit extract. The resulting whole fruit extract can be formulated into a sugar-free or no sugar added, low calorie, low glycemic index syrup or jam comprising, e.g. the Luo Han Guo whole fruit extract and sugar alcohols (polyols).