Chinese Bitter Melon

Vegetables

Chinese bitter melon is the fruit of Momordica charantia, a climbing vine in the gourd family. It is recognized for its elongated, ridged shape and intensely bitter flavor, which is valued in traditional Chinese medicine and Asian cuisines. The fruit is harvested immature while still green, as it becomes more bitter and tough when ripened. In Chinese cooking, bitter melon is often stir-fried with garlic, black bean sauce, or eggs; it is also used in soups for its cooling properties. Medicinally, it has been studied for its potential hypoglycemic effects and is traditionally used to support digestion and regulate blood sugar.