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Bitter melon Wikipedia

Taxobox begin | color = lightgreen | name = Bitter melon
Taxobox image | image = Image:Charantia_flower.jpg|250px|Bitter melon | caption =
Taxobox begin placement | color = lightgreen
Taxobox regnum entry | taxon = Plantae
Taxobox divisio entry | taxon = Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta
Taxobox classis entry | taxon = Magnoliopsida
Taxobox ordo entry | taxon = Violales
Taxobox familia entry | taxon = Cucurbitaceae
Taxobox genus entry | taxon = Momordica
Taxobox species entry | taxon = M. charantia
Taxobox end placement
Taxobox section binomial botany | color = lightgreen | binomial_name = Momordica charantia | author = Descourt.
<!--<tr><td>Ref: http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=22364 ITIS 22364</td></tr>-->
Taxobox end

The bitter melon (zh-cp|c=??????|p=k??gu??), also called bitter gourd, karela (from Hindi), pavakka (from Tamil language|Tamil), balsampear, or balsamapple, is the edible fruit of the tropical and subtropical plant Momordica charantia, named from its bitter taste, considered the most bitter among all edible vegetables. The young shoots and leaves of the plant may be eaten as leaf vegetable|greens, and are not particularly bitter.

Image:bittermelonfruit.jpg|thumb|left|Bitter melons in a Chinatown market
The bitter melon has a distinct warty texture and an oblong shape, about 10 to 20 cm long with bluntly tapering ends. It is most often eaten green, but can also be eaten when it has ripened and turned yellowish or reddish orange. The seeds are white in raw fruits and become red when they are ripe. There are two varieties of this vegetable. The large kind is long, oblong and pale green in color. The other kind is small, litte oval and dark green. Both turn orange when ripe.

The original home of bitter gourd is not known except that it is a native of the tropics. It is widely grown in South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as in China and the Caribbean. It is often used in Chinese cooking for its bitter flavour. It is also cultivated extensively all over India and a type of chips called karela chips are quite relished. It is however seldom mixed with other vegetables due to its extreme bitterness.

Bitter melons also have various uses as traditional medicine around the world, and has potential use for treating HIV infections. Bitter melon is also used often in Okinawan cuisine; it is called g??y?? in Okinawa. In Indian ayurvedic medicine, it is popularly seen as a "plant-insulin" and is thus highly recommended for diabetics. It is called ampalaya and prepared into a dish in the Philippines. Even in western medicine due to its high nutrition content it is advised that patients take this vegetable regularly.

Last Modified:   2005-11-07