Bitter Melon – Karela A Concoction Of Culinary and Medicinal Benefits

Bitter Melon or Karela is used in traditional medicine for a long time in Asian countries

but is also excellent as a culinary variety - By Kimi Mamtora

THE analysis of Bitter Melon reveals, it is a popular fruit in many parts of the world. It is grown in India and the Indian Subcontinent. As the name suggests it is very bitter and the fruit comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. It has a rugged exterior with usually a thin layer of flesh and large flat seeds in the centre. The colour of the fruit is green when unripe and the seeds are white but the seeds turn reddish when the fruit is ripe. When fully ripe the fruit turns yellow to orange making the skin hard to eat but the internal pith is sweet and can be eaten raw.

Bitter Melon is called Karela in many parts of India and Africa. Just some of the countries where this fruit is consumed are Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, China, Vietnam, Panama, Columbia where it is used as a culinary in soups and curries. The seeds are usually removed when cooking. Due to its very strong bitter taste, in Indian cooking it is boiled with salt and the water is removed to ease of the bitterness. The curry is then prepared like all the other Indian curries with spices. As a variation some add jaggery (unrefined sugar) or normal sugar to balance out the bitter taste. Potatoes or onions can also be added to the curry to offset the harsh taste.

A stuffed curry variety of the melon is also quite popular in many households. The fruit is stuffed with spices like salt, chilli powder, coriander powder, gram flour, peanuts, jaggery, and garlic puree, roasting in a trickle of oil, which is then steamed to give that rich enhanced flavour of the concoction of spices. This curry is enjoyed with an accompaniment of a variety of Indian breads like Roti, Nan or Paratha. In South East Asia the fruit is used in salads, as the flesh inside is comparable to a green Bell Pepper.

Medicinal Use

Bitter Melon is believed to help prevent or counteract diabetes so many people take the juice of this fruit first thing in the morning.

In Asian countries it is widely used in traditional medicine for a long time. Some Laboratory studies have confirmed various species of this melon to contain anti-malarial property. It is also believed to stimulate digestion. A number of clinical studies in India proved the fruit to have increased insulin sensitivity. However, the benefit of Bitter Fruit consumption has somehow bypassed the wide print.

Many countries import Bitter Melon supplements. While it appears there is no concrete evidence of the fruit having negative effects, some reports however do caution that it may be unsuitable for children and women during pregnancy. Kimi Mamtora

Bitter Melon Karela A Concoction Of Culinary and Medicinal Benefits

By: Kimi Mamtora

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