Garden cucumber
Bitter melon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Violales Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Momordica Species: charantia
Binomial nomenclature
Momordica charantia

The bitter melon (or bitter gourd) is the edible fruit of the plant Momordica charantia, which belongs to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. Bitter melon grows in tropical and subtropical climates. The fruit is green (orange-yellow when ripe) and has warty appearance and oblong shape.

It is often used in Chinese cooking for its bitter flavour. Bitter melons also have various uses as traditional medicine around the world, and has potential use for treating HIV infections. Bitter melon is also used often in Okinawan cuisine; it is called gōyā in Okinawa.

External links

http://www.rain_tree.com/bitmelon.htm