Don't be bitter, melon/gourd!

Bitter melon is freaking bitter and difficult to handle but it is one of the healthiest options you can in terms vegetables. As the saying goes bitterness can be seen as "the manifestation of medicinal value" and let me just be straight-forward; THIS IS VERY BITTER. Considered to be one of the most bitter in the fruits and vegetable categories while being a staple of many Asian cuisines. Grown on a six foot vine, the bitter melon can be grown both on the ground or trellised. It can also be known as bitter gourd or balsam pear in some regions as well as having varied appearances and forms. With both male and female forms, with female ones being more vertical. While extremely ripe melons are blossoming near the end with orange showing among white seeds. The bitterness also increases with ripeness as they are mainly native to India and Southeast Asia! The cultivars types include: white-fruited, green-fruited, spindle-shaped, long-fruited, and tubercled.

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Types:

Spindle-shaped : These are medium sized with a rounded end and a pointy bottom. Being extremely popular in South-east Asia especially Hong Kong and also has variations in India which is glossy or more prickly in comparison.

Long-fruited: Mainly found in subtropical areas with less humidity; these variations can run from 8 to 13 inches long with most coming from Japan or India.

White-fruited: Mostly used in stir-fry, soups and the ilk, this variation has the best prolific growth, and great texture/flavour. It's bottom is stereotypically protected to avoid sun damage

Green-fruited: Extremely common with a dark green skin and very rain resistant skin.

Tubercled: More popular in India and closer South-eastern Asia countries such as Thailand, this variation is more studded and with a shorter spine.

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With so many types they all have their own usefulness and pros. Being a mainly Asia based fruit, its history is actually relatively unknown with most tracing only back to 600 years ago. The word "bitter" in Chinese medicine equates as one of the five main flavours of Traditional Chinese Medicine individual to their different distinct functions. Bitterness can have the effect of clearing diarrhea and heat, venting stool, dryness, diarrhea and yin. While in general, bitter vegetables are used to treat overheating, constipation, and having "wet syndrome" in Asian viewpoints. Traditional beliefs show the bitter melon aiding the spleen and stomach, clearing away fevers and overheat. With heatstroke, fevers and the ilk, they require a cooked recipe while replenishing qi, aiding eyesight, and others ask for a tea format.

Though bitter melon in heavy amounts may lead to stomach irritability and would not be the best for pregnant women (check with a physician first to be safe); the amount of health benefits are very numerous. As we said before it is not recommended for everyone and that is even said by Traditional medicine practicers as well with people with serious stomach and spleen health issues may experience diarrhea or nausea. That being said the benefits still outweigh the rest especially in moderation as benefits can include:

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-Super rich in Vitamin A (Better Skin and vision)

-Reduce blood sugar

-Also rich in Vitamin C (prevents disease and aids in bone formation)

-Fights cancer (when studied in concentration)

-Low in calories

-Lower cholesterol when regularly consumed

-Weight loss aid #getthatsummerbod

-High in fibre

-Cell damage protection

-Folate for growt

-Diabetes fighting

-Low Glycemic

-Aid in appetite, fever

-Strengthens spleen and blood circulation

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We hope you join us this week on San Living for Bitter Gourd week as we also update this page with more recipes we love and do not include/specify! Have a great long weekend if it applies to you and also we apologize for the late posts as of late. We plan on posting more this week and catching up! Thank you for joining us once again!