Bitter Melon – 5 Seeds
(Momordica charantia)
R30.00
It is a fruit in the gourd family with a unique appearance and flavor. It’s not only rich in several important nutrients but also linked to numerous health benefits.
Common Names: Bitter Gourd, Bitter Melon, Bitter Cucumber, Leprosy Gourd, La-kwa, Peria Laut, Goya, Bitter apple, Bitter squash and karavila.
Only 1 left in stock
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia), is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a widely grown for its edible fruit in Asia, East Africa, India, and South America. It is a climbing vine whose leaves and green fruits have also been used in traditional medicine to fight cancer, diabetes and many infectious diseases.
Each plant bears separate yellow male and female flowers. It is orange or dark yellow when ripe, splitting open to reveal the seeds which along with pith appear white in unripe fruits, then ripening to red. The fruit has a distinct warty exterior and an oblong shape. It is hollow in cross-section, with a relatively thin layer of flesh surrounding a central seed cavity filled with large, flat seeds and pith. The fruit is most often eaten green, or as it is beginning to turn yellow. At this stage, the fruit’s flesh is crunchy and watery in texture, similar to cucumber, chayote or green bell pepper, but bitter. The skin is tender and edible.
Common Names: Bitter Gourd, Bitter Melon, Bitter Cucumber, Leprosy Gourd, La-kwa, Peria Laut, Goya, Bitter apple, Bitter squash and karavila.
Medicinal Benefits
Bitter melon is traditionally known for its medicinal properties such as antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammation, antivirus, and cholesterol lowering effects. It contains many phenolic compounds that may have the potential as antioxidant and antimutagen.
Culinary Uses
While technically a fruit, bitter melon is eaten as a vegetable and incorporated into dishes to add an acidic flavor. Bitter melon is generally consumed cooked in the green or early yellowing stage. The young shoots and leaves of the bitter melon may also be eaten as greens.
Growing Bitter Melon
Indoor Sowing: Late Winter / Early Spring.
Direct Sowing: Spring and Summer.
- The plants prefer full sun, warm days and nights, and a trellis as a single vine can easily cover 10 square feet.
- Soak seeds overnight before planting. Pour very warm water in a jar and drop the seeds in there, allow to soak overnight, then plant the next day.
- Seeds can be sown in Spring or Summer.
- Sow the seeds about 1/2 inch deep in good potting soil or in a composted hill of garden soil.
- Keep the soil moist and very warm until germination, which takes about a week.
- Thin or transplant to 3 plants per hill and space hills 6 feet apart.
Disclaimer
Medicinal Information:
All medicinal information on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment offered by healthcare professionals.
Seeds, Plants, Plant Cuttings, Geophytes and Dried Herbs:
In some countries and provinces, certain plants are deemed as invasive and are not allowed to be planted at all, whilst some plants are allowed to be grown only in certain areas or provinces. The onus is on you as the buyer to familiarize yourself with the regulations pertaining to your location, before purchasing any of our seeds, plants, plant cuttings, geophytes or dried herbs. We will not be held liable, should you purchase any seeds, plants, plant cuttings, geophytes or dried herbs. from us which are prohibited in your country or province.
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