Karela (Indian Bitter Gourd)
Karela, or bitter gourd, is a popular ingredient in Asian recipes, despite it’s bitter acquired taste. It is high in Vitamin C, folate, Vitamin A, potassium, and even has some iron and calcium.
Karela is in the same family as cucumber, and grows in much of the same way. It requires a long, hot growing season with a trellis or fence to sprawl out on. Regular watering is essential for fruit development and growth. Plants have both male and female flowers which are very attractive to bees and pollinating insects. This variety produces 7-8” long fruit with dark green skin and sharp deep ridges. The ideal variety for stuffed preparations or sautees.
Bitterness is the result of the alkaloid momordicine found in growing bitter melons; the darker the color of a bitter melon, the more bitter and intense the flavor of the fruit.
Karela, or bitter gourd, is a popular ingredient in Asian recipes, despite it’s bitter acquired taste. It is high in Vitamin C, folate, Vitamin A, potassium, and even has some iron and calcium.
Karela is in the same family as cucumber, and grows in much of the same way. It requires a long, hot growing season with a trellis or fence to sprawl out on. Regular watering is essential for fruit development and growth. Plants have both male and female flowers which are very attractive to bees and pollinating insects. This variety produces 7-8” long fruit with dark green skin and sharp deep ridges. The ideal variety for stuffed preparations or sautees.
Bitterness is the result of the alkaloid momordicine found in growing bitter melons; the darker the color of a bitter melon, the more bitter and intense the flavor of the fruit.
Karela, or bitter gourd, is a popular ingredient in Asian recipes, despite it’s bitter acquired taste. It is high in Vitamin C, folate, Vitamin A, potassium, and even has some iron and calcium.
Karela is in the same family as cucumber, and grows in much of the same way. It requires a long, hot growing season with a trellis or fence to sprawl out on. Regular watering is essential for fruit development and growth. Plants have both male and female flowers which are very attractive to bees and pollinating insects. This variety produces 7-8” long fruit with dark green skin and sharp deep ridges. The ideal variety for stuffed preparations or sautees.
Bitterness is the result of the alkaloid momordicine found in growing bitter melons; the darker the color of a bitter melon, the more bitter and intense the flavor of the fruit.