Bitter gourd (balsam pear/ bitter melon) is a young, tender, edible fruit-pod in the Momordica genus of climbing vines. Although its bitter taste might turn some people away from it, in-fact, it really can sweeten your health through virtue of its disease preventing and health promoting phyto chemical compounds.
Bitter Gourd, Charantis Health Benefits :
1. Respiratory Disorders
2. Liver Tonic
3. Immune System
4. Diabetes
5. Heart Disease
6. Weight Loss
7. Purifies Blood
Nutritional in Bitter Gourd, Charantis :
1. Energy 17 Kcal
2. Protein 1.00 g
3. Fat 0.17 g
4. Vitamin A 471 IU
5. Vitamin C 84 mg
6. Calcium 19 mg
Preparation and serving methods :
1. In India, where it popularly known as karela, is used in a variety of recipes either stir-fried or stuffed with garam-masala, tomato, onions, green chilies, garlic and curry leaves.
2. Goya chanpuru, Okinawan stir-fry with bitter melon, onion, tofu, pork, and eggs, is a special dish of health-conscious island inhabitants.
3. Known as ampalaya in the Philippines, it has been widely used in special dishes like Pinakbet Ilocano, prepared with shrimp paste and mixed with vegetables like eggplant (aubergine) and okra.
4. Dried, and powdered whole bitter gourd has been used in the preparation of iced or milk tea in some East Asian regions.
5. Bitter gourd is also been used in the pickling preparations.
For Bitter Gourd (Charantis) details in Hindi check here – Bitter Gourd (Charantis) In Hindi