Remove the bitterness of bitter melon

Although bitter melon tastes bitter, it has medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine and has the effect of removing heat, and it is ideal to eat it especially in summer. But many people cannot accept the bitter taste of bitter melon. However, the bitterness of bitter melon can be removed before eating, and the efficacy will remain unchanged, but how to remove part of the bitterness? Some people use salt water to pickle, which is effective in removing the bitterness; you can also choose to blanch it in hot water and then chill it in ice, which can also remove the bitterness.

How to remove the bitterness of bitter melon

If the bitter melon has no bitterness at all, there will be no sweet aftertaste. However, if you buy bitter melon of poor quality or unripe, you can remove the bitterness slightly by following the following processing methods.

1. Confirm that the film is clean:

Use a spoon to scrape off the seeds and white cotton body. The bitter melon particles on the inner membrane should be scraped cleanly so that it will not be so bitter.

2. Add salt to soak and pickle:

You can also marinate it in salt water for half an hour before mixing it with vegetables or cooking it to remove the slight bitterness.

3. Blanch and chill:

Blanching the bitter melon first can reduce the bitterness. Do not blanch the bitter melon for too long, about 2 minutes is enough. Then drain and chill it to retain water, making it crispy and delicious.

4. Add vinegar or oil and stir:

After the bitter gourd is chilled before cooking, add some white vinegar or olive oil and stir it for later use, which can also reduce the bitterness.

5. Dig out the bitter melon seeds

Many people are afraid to eat bitter melon because it has a distinct bitter taste. If you want to remove the bitterness, you can first cut off the head and tail of the bitter melon and then cut it in half. Use a spoon to dig out the seeds in the middle and cut it into thin strips. Then use a kitchen knife to remove the white membrane to reduce the bitterness.

Basic knowledge about bitter melon

Purchase: Bitter melons will undergo a "ripening effect" when harvested, that is, if they are over 80% mature, most of them will turn yellow within a day. Therefore, the yellower the color, the more ripe it is. Try to choose those that are white or bright green in color and have not turned yellow or brown, as they can be stored longer. Bitter melons with more consistent size of grains and a straight shape are of better quality. If you don’t eat the bitter melon right away, we recommend placing it in a plastic bag and refrigerating it for three to five days.

Storage: Bitter melon is an easy-to-ripen vegetable. After buying it home, you can wrap it in newspaper and put it on the bottom layer of the refrigerator. Do not put it near the air outlet of the refrigerator to avoid frostbite. It is recommended to consume it within 3 days.

Cleaning: If you are worried about pesticide residues in the gaps between the bitter melon nodules, it is recommended that you gently brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush before cooking, and then rinse them off with plenty of water.

A new way to eat bitter melon: blanch and chill the wild bitter melon or white bitter melon, then put it directly into the freezer for about half a day. Take it out and wait for about 1 minute until the ice on the surface melts a little, then you can taste the smooth texture like a smoothie. It is recommended to dip it in salad dressing or mustard soy sauce.