Bitter gourd (melon) is perhaps the secret vegetable of the Okinawa islander’s longevity! Although the bitterness of Bitter melon might turn some people away, it can really sweeten your health because of its disease preventing and health promoting phyto chemical compounds.

Botanically it belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceous, of the genus: Momordica and is a member of the same family of squash, watermelon, cantaloupes, cucumber etc. Scientific name: Momordica charantia. Some of the related varieties are balsam pear, cundeamor, la-kwa etc. 

Safety profile

Bitter gourd may contain alkaloid substances like quinine and morodicine, resins and saponic glycosides which may be intolerable by some people. The bitterness and toxicity may be reduced somewhat by parboiling or soaking in salt water for up to 10minutes.

Toxicity symptoms may include excessive salivation, facial redness, dimness of vision, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscular weakness. (Medical disclaimer)

Goya chanpuru. A okinawan dish prepared with bitter melon, tofu, egg and onion. Photo courtesy: jetalone

• See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

  See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients: Bitter gourd or Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), fresh, raw, Nutritive value per 100 g (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base) Principle Nutrient Value Percentage of RDA Energy 17 Kcal <1% Carbohydrates 3.70 g 3% Protein 1.00 g 2% Total Fat 0.17 g 0.5% Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Dietary Fiber 2.80 g 7% Vitamins Folates 72 mcg 18% Niacin 0.400 mg 2.5% Pantothenic acid 0.212 mg 4% Pyridoxine 0.043 mg 3% Riboflavin 0.040 mg 3% Thiamin 0.040 mg 3.5% Vitamin A 471 IU 16% Vitamin C 84 mg 140% Electrolytes Sodium 5 mg <1% Potassium 296 mg 6% Minerals Calcium 19 mg 2% Copper 0.034 mg 4% Iron 0.43mg 5% Magnesium 17 mg 4% Manganese 0.089 mg 4% Zinc 0.80 mg 7% Phyto-nutrients Carotene-ß 190 mcg -- Carotene-α  185 mcg Lutein-zeaxanthin 170 mcg --
  Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
  Energy	17 Kcal	<1%
  Carbohydrates	3.70 g	3%
  Protein	1.00 g	2%
  Total Fat	0.17 g	0.5%
  Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
  Dietary Fiber	2.80 g	7%
  Vitamins
  Folates	72 mcg	18%
  Niacin	0.400 mg	2.5%
  Pantothenic acid	0.212 mg	4%
  Pyridoxine	0.043 mg	3%
  Riboflavin	0.040 mg	3%
  Thiamin	0.040 mg	3.5%
  Vitamin A	471 IU	16%
  Vitamin C	84 mg	140%
  Electrolytes
  Sodium	5 mg	<1%
  Potassium	296 mg	6%
  Minerals
  Calcium	19 mg	2%
  Copper	0.034 mg	4%
  Iron	0.43mg	5%
  Magnesium	17 mg	4%
  Manganese	0.089 mg	4%
  Zinc	0.80 mg	7%
  Phyto-nutrients
  Carotene-ß	190 mcg	--
  Carotene-α	185 mcg
  Lutein-zeaxanthin	170 mcg	--

Bitter melons (Momordica charantia). Oriental variety. Note the uneven pebble like longitudinally arranged ridges. The ends are round and blunt.	Bitter melons hanging down in a vine. a variety commonly found in Indian subcontinent. Note for pointed ends.

Bitter melon is the immature pod vegetable, popular in many Asian countries. This widely grown as edible pod is, in fact, among the most bitter of all culinary vegetables.

Bitter melon is temperate /tropical vegetable probably originated in South-East Asia. Like other members of the cucurbitaceae family, this plant is a fast-growing, trailing or climbing vine with thin stems and tendrils and requires trellis to support the climbing vine.

The pods are characterized by smooth lengthwise ridges and uneven pebbly surface. Depending upon the cultivar type, immature pods are light to dark green in color and have oblong or oval shapes with pointed tip at the blossom end. Internally, the flesh is white with rough edged seeds, somewhat similar to ridge gourd seeds. As the fruits begin to mature, they gradually turn yellow or orange.