BITTER GOURD

Bitter Gourd

Momordica charantia

Bitter Gourd is a vine, native to tropical Africa, however today can be found in all tropical regions of the world. The dioecious flowers are yellow and the fruits are oblong and lumpy with a light green to greenish-white, waxy skin. In some countries, mainly in India the fruit is cooked and eaten. The fruit is edible when harvested green and cooked. The taste is bitter. Bitter gourd has twice the potassium of bananas and is also rich in vitamin A and C. Used to purify the blood, reduce blood sugar levels and to fight gastrointestinal problems.