Products

Bitter Melon

Also known as: Balsam Pear or Bitter Gourd

Category:

Asian Items

Seasonality:

All Origins
Mexico
USA

January: Medium
February: Medium
March: Medium
April: Medium
May: Medium
June: Medium
July: Medium
August: Medium
September: Medium
October: Medium
November: Medium
December: Medium

January: Medium
February: Medium
March: Medium
April: Medium
May: Medium
June: Medium
July: Medium
August: Medium
September: Medium
October: Medium
November: Medium
December: Medium

January: Medium
February: Medium
March: Medium
April: Medium
May: Medium
June: Medium
July: Medium
August: Medium
September: Medium
October: Medium
November: Medium
December: Medium

Uses:

Grown as a fruit but used as a vegetable, the Bitter Melon is actually a member of the squash family. Resembling a long, bumpy cucumber, Bitter Melon can be found in Asian and East Indian cooking. From 5-12 inches in length, the grooved yellow-green to dark green skin of the Bitter Melon gives way to a fibrous, seed-filled core. Its slightly sour flavor becomes quite bitter upon ripening. This bitter or quinine flavor (a bitter alkaloid) is often combined with garlic or chile. Once thought to contain medicinal qualities, in some parts of China, Bitter Melon is still used to purify the blood and cool the digestive system. Bitter Melon can be stuffed, curried or pickled.

Selection, Storage & Handling:

Bitter Melons from Melissa’s are hand-selected for excellent quality. Choose melons that are still green for optimal bitterness. For more mild flavoring, look for the yellow-green varieties. Store loose in a paper or plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Cut in half and discard seeds and fibrous core. Blanch or salt to reduce bitterness. Skin is edible.

For availability, please use our store locator or contact us at 1.800.588.0151 and/or hotline@melissas.com.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 cup pieces (124g)

Amount Per Serving
- Calories 25
- Calories from Fat: 0

% Daily Value*
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Fiber 1g 5%
- Protein 1g 0%
- Saturated Fat 0g 0%
- Sodium 10mg 0%
- Sugars (Not Available) 0%
- Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
- Total Fat 0g 0%