Bitter Melon (Karela), raw (100g)

Bitter melon, widely known as karela in South Asia, is a distinctive vegetable recognized for its deeply ridged, bumpy green exterior and intensely sharp flavor profile. As its name suggests, this unique gourd possesses a strong, biting taste that is highly prized in various traditional cuisines around the world. To balance its robust flavor, cooks often salt the flesh beforehand to draw out excess bitterness or pair it with bold spices, coconut milk, and rich proteins. It is frequently featured in Indian curries, Chinese stir-fries, and iconic Okinawan dishes like goya champuru. Whether it is stuffed with aromatics, pickled, juiced, or thinly sliced and sautéed, raw bitter melon serves as a versatile culinary ingredient that adds a complex, savory depth to a wide array of hearty recipes.