Description

Bitter melon is a herbaceous tendril-bearing vine that bears small leaves, yellow flowers and fruity gourds shaped like cucumbers.

The light green fruit is eight to 12 inches long.  Ridges punctuate the fruit’s exterior.  The flesh is thin and surrounds a cavity of seeds and pith.  Before the fruit ripens, seeds and pith are white.  In this state, they are not bitter and for culinary purposes, are removed before cooking. 

When fully ripe, the pith becomes sweet and turns red.  It can be eaten at this time; the fruit of the melon cannot, however, because it becomes tough as it ripens.  Ripened sweet bitter melon pith is used extensively in salads in Southeast Asia.

As it ripens, bitter melon fruit becomes bitter.  Therefore, the fruit is most often eaten green.  Some miniature species are like small pickles and may be served as stuffed vegetables. 

Uses and Cultivation

Bitter melon has also been used for numerous medical conditions by shaman in tropical rainforests for centuries.  Infections, cancer, leukemia, and diabetes have all been treated with bitter melon over the years.

Highly touted in internet marketing circles as a cure for diabetes and psoriasis, bitter melon supporters believe it has impressive curative properties.  Unfortunately, there is no solid research to support these claims.  However some research documents show improvement in both diabetes and psoriasis following use of bitter melon.