When it comes to the Central Highlands of Vietnam, coffee, pepper, and majestic elephants usually spring to mind. However, there is another lesser-known delicacy that you must not miss when visiting this region: the bitter melon.
1. What is the Central Highlands’ Bitter Melon?
The bitter melon is a small fruit, about the size of a finger, with a green, bumpy skin and multiple seeds inside. Its stem is adorned with sharp thorns. From March to October, especially in May, the bitter melon tree blooms and bears fruit.
In the past, the ethnic people of the Central Highlands often found wild-growing bitter melon trees and intercropped them with their coffee plants. Nowadays, as the fruit has gained popularity, some households cultivate large quantities to sell.
In the Central Highlands, it is common to see bitter melon trees towering over people, with their lush branches growing wildly along roadsides and hill slopes.
Bitter melon fruit
The fruit gets its name from its distinctive bitter taste, which is beloved by the local people. As a result, they have devised numerous ways to prepare and cook it. For the indigenous people, including the Ede, M’Nong, and Gia Rai tribes, bitter melon is an indispensable part of their culinary culture.
2. What are the benefits of bitter melon?
According to the experience of various ethnic minority groups such as the Ede, C’Ho, and M’Nong, bitter melon’s bitter properties are believed to boost immunity and enhance the body’s resilience against various ailments, particularly those related to digestion, gout, and joint pain.
Bitter melon has high medicinal value
3. FAQs about Bitter Melon
Is bitter melon good for health?
Bitter melon is highly beneficial for health. It helps reduce cholesterol, treat breast cancer and hepatitis, and is an effective remedy for malaria. The bitter taste also aids in eliminating toxic fat and preventing diabetes. Additionally, it boosts immunity and strengthens the body’s defense against diseases.
Bitter melon helps reduce blood cholesterol
Can pregnant women eat bitter melon?
Currently, there is no documented evidence of any health risks or adverse effects of consuming bitter melon during pregnancy.
Pregnant women can safely consume bitter melon
Is bitter melon poisonous?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that bitter melon is poisonous.
4. Delicious Dishes Made with Bitter Melon
In the Central Highlands, particularly in Dak Lak province, bitter melon is used to create a variety of dishes, including:
Bitter Melon and Dried Fish Salad
This salad combines the distinctive bitter taste of the melon with the fragrance of dried fish, resulting in a memorable flavor profile that is both salty and sweet, with a hint of spiciness.
Bitter Melon and Dried Fish Salad
Frog Cooked with Bitter Melon
When paired with bitter melon, the sweetness of the frog meat and the bitterness of the melon create a delicious combination. This dish goes well with rice or beer, and it also makes a great sandwich filling.
Frog Cooked with Bitter Melon
Bitter Melon Soup
This soup blends the bitterness of bitter melon with the enticing aroma of cow offal, lemongrass, and shallots, along with the tongue-numbing spiciness of chili peppers. It is a must-try dish when visiting the Central Highlands.
Bitter Melon Soup
Pounded Bitter Melon
This dish is a staple in the daily lives of the Ede people. It consists of crispy, fragrant dried fish mixed with pounded bitter melon and a touch of green bird’s eye chili, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Pounded Bitter Melon
We hope that this article has given you a deeper understanding of bitter melon, a unique delicacy and gift from the Central Highlands. Wishing you happiness and good health.
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