Food & Receipts

Get rid of the bitterness in bitter gourd with this magical water and enjoy a crispy and delicious taste

Bitter melon is both a food and a beneficial medicine, making many people eager to consume it regularly. However, its bitter taste is a concern for some individuals.

Administrator

8 March, 2024

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Bitter gourd, also known as bitter melon, is a popular vegetable and medicinal herb with numerous health benefits. Bitter gourd supports patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, and helps cool the body. However, the bitter taste of bitter gourd can discourage many people from consuming it. To reduce the bitterness, follow these steps:

Remove the inner white pith
The inner pith is usually more bitter. Therefore, you can scrape off the pith of the bitter gourd to reduce the bitterness. Cut the fruit in half and use a knife to scrape off the inner white pith. The white pith not only retains the bitterness but also makes the bitter gourd look less appetizing, so it’s best to scrape it off.

Bitter gourd is delicious but it can be bitter, so many people need to remove the bitterness

Soak in cold water
Soaking bitter gourd in cold water or ice for about 30 minutes will reduce the bitterness. If you prefer to eat it raw, you can soak it and then slice it, placing the bitter gourd on top of a cold bowl with some ice cubes. Soaking the bitter gourd in water will remove the bitterness. This method is only applicable when you slice the bitter gourd into thin slices.

Squeeze the bitter gourd with water
Before cooking, slice the bitter gourd into thin slices and squeeze it with clean water. Then rinse the bitter gourd 3-4 times to reduce the bitterness. If you are still concerned about the bitterness of bitter gourd, you can soak it in tamarind water for about 30 minutes. However, soaking the bitter gourd in tamarind water will make it wet and less crispy.

When you squeeze the bitter gourd with your hands, more bitter juice will come out. But this method is only suitable for stir-frying or eating it raw immediately to prevent the bitter gourd from becoming waterlogged, which will affect the taste.

How to reduce the bitterness of bitter gourd with ice water

Rinse with saltwater
Add a little salt and marinate the thinly sliced bitter gourd for about 5-10 minutes, then rinse it with water to reduce the bitterness. Saltwater helps reduce the bitterness of bitter gourd. However, be careful not to use too much salt to avoid oversalting.

Blanch the bitter gourd in boiling water
Blanching or briefly boiling the bitter gourd in boiling water will remove the bitterness. Boil a pot of water, add a little salt, then blanch the bitter gourd for 1-2 minutes. Remove it and immediately place it in cold water. If you plan to eat it raw, be careful not to blanch the bitter gourd for too long, as it will become soft and lose its crunchiness.

Combine bitter gourd with other ingredients to reduce bitterness
Cooking bitter gourd with chili, eggs and turmeric powder, sesame oil, or even olive oil will help reduce the bitterness and enhance the flavor of the dish.

Bitter gourd is a common and healthy food that you can incorporate into your family’s menu. It can also be dried and used to make tea for daily consumption.

Frequently asked questions

The bitter taste of bitter gourd can be off-putting to many people, which is a challenge as it boasts numerous health benefits. The bitterness can be reduced by following several simple methods.

There are several methods to reduce the bitterness:

Remove the inner white pith, which is usually the most bitter part.
Soak the bitter gourd in cold water or ice for 30 minutes to reduce bitterness, especially if consuming it raw.
Before cooking, squeeze and rinse the sliced bitter gourd with clean water 3-4 times.
Marinate sliced bitter gourd in saltwater for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.
Blanch or briefly boil the bitter gourd in salted water for 1-2 minutes, then plunge into cold water.
Combine bitter gourd with ingredients like chili, eggs, turmeric powder, or sesame oil to enhance flavor and reduce bitterness.

When squeezing the bitter gourd with your hands, more bitter juice will be released, so this method is best for immediate stir-frying or raw consumption to avoid a waterlogged texture. Soaking the gourd in tamarind water will also make it less crispy. Always aim for thin slices when preparing bitter gourd to ensure even cooking and bitterness reduction.

Bitter gourd can be cooked in a variety of ways, including stir-frying, boiling, and combining it with other ingredients to reduce bitterness. It can also be consumed raw after soaking and slicing. Additionally, bitter gourd can be dried and used to make tea.