EVERY Thai cooks with Bitter Melon for family and friends; and you see Bitter Melon at Thai fresh markets and roadside stalls almost all year round. But you rarely see this healing, natural medicine food in Thai restaurants, despite it being delicious if prepared well.
Ma Ra (มะระ) in Thai. Botanically, Momordica charantia. Called Bitter Melon in English, or sometimes Chinese Bitter Gourd. In Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, the Chinese variety is widely grown, really cheap and almost always available.
The Indian variety is slightly less common, probably because it is smaller, and has less flesh inside; but I have seen them in the markets occasionally:
GREAT post about his first bitter melons grown from seed:I was INSPIRED to highlight this amazing natural Asian medicine vegetable when I curated @papapepper's Bitter Melon post for @ecotrain in the last days. It's a
I SMILED when I read his post and realized how normal I think it is to make bitter melon soup at the first sign of a sniffle, and that it's commonly served in hospitals all over Thailand. So normal to me now as to be unremarkable.
So what is it about this amazing little gourd, that looks like a pimply cucumber?
It has INCREDIBLE properties to control blood sugar and blood cholersterol levels. LOADS of clinical studies out there - Here's a great summary of the clinical literature, with most of the studies focused on diabetes and blood sugar control.
Nutritionally it's a great source of all the usual wonderful things you'd expect: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folate, potassium, zinc and iron. But more than that, Bitter Melon contains catechin, gallic acid, epicatechin, and chlorogenic acid - powerful antioxidants which protect against cellular damage.
Clinical studies have shown concentrated Bitter Melon extract to be effective at killing cancer cells in situ. Studies are underway to examine how Bitter Melon functions as an anti-cancer agent, over time, at normal dietary levels.
Thai people also believe - and there is clinical data to support this - that Bitter Melon helps in weight loss and helps the body to increase fat burning. It does that by stimulating the liver (like most bitter foods) and stimulating bile production.
Bitter Melon is a simple, traditional Thai "go-to" whenever anyone is sick or convalescing, or to prevent illness and stay in great health. So what are the most popular ways to cook, serve and eat it?
The stand-out "normal" in Thai homes and Thai hospitals is in a clear soup. I was quite impressed to see this fancy-schmancy version of stuffed Bitter Melon soup recipe online:
But in almost every Thai village version I've had of this dish, the minced pork or chicken is simply floating loose in the clear broth with slices of Bitter Melon, a few shiitake mushrooms and maybe some carrot and fresh coriander. It's surprisingly yum, not very bitter when the gourd is treated with salt, and just somehow very healing, soothing and comforting.
Bitter Melon is often served as a breakfast stir fry, with eggs and/or finely sliced chicken, over rice. That's a very standard way to eat Bitter Melon in Vietnam and Southern China too.
How to get Bitter Melon from VERY bitter, to decidedly yummy? Scoop out the seeds, slice and rinse (no need to peel as the skins are much softer than they look) and then SOAK in salted water for about 20 minutes. Rinse again and drain before cooking.
So now you want to GROW this important natural medicine food, don't you? If you're in Thailand, India or South East Asia, grab a Bitter Melon from the market, scoop out the seeds, stick them in some soil and wait. Too easy. A beginner-level garden project. When the plants are 6 inches plus, slash a bit of bamboo from the back of the garden and create some lattice for them to climb on. Make sure it's sturdy, as the vines fruit prolifically and can be HEAVY when fully laden with fruit.
Pepper Family Homestead Seed StoreIf you're NOT in Asia, @papapepper is a SEED MAN and can be found through the @homesteaderscoop store.
Bitter Melon is a wonderful natural medicine addition to a healthy diet and really enjoyable when cooked the Thai way.
BlissednBlessed. Feeling Hungry.
This post originally published on my own blog, My Natural Thai Life - connecting you with all things natural and healthy in Thailand.
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I've seen a few posts lately about bitter melon, but I still haven't gotten around to trying any yet! One of my local farmers was experimenting with growing some here. He was supposed to bring me some to try at the farmers market, but I think he forgot. ;) They sell it at the international markets, though. I might have to look up papa pepper and get some seeds to try on our own!
It's an incredible medicine plant. You can mske a delish vegan version of bitter melon soup using shiitake mushrooms - add the ROOTS of the cilantro plant to really add an Asian flavor to your broth. 😋
Bitter melon - it looks very tasty. The first time I see such a beautiful fruit.
They're lovely and so easy to grow!! No two melons are the same - truly amazing.
Bitter Melon in coconut sauce is also very nice.
OOOOHHHH!!! NICE idea!! I suddenly feel inspired to try a rich Thai green coconutty curry with Bitter Melon and mushrooms. :)
I'm amazed at how you mentioned hospital food several times, and how they are using actual natural medicine-food. The only similar thing I have heard is the use of probiotic drinks in Russian hospitals. How nice it would be if they actually gave you healing food in a place intended for healing, instead of industrial chicken soup and sugary gelatins.
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@stortebeker Never heard of Ayurvedic hospitals?
Sure thing. But those are just like... let me see what I can compare them to... dentists who use hypnosis instead of anesthesia. Though they do exist, they are far from being mainstream. Like Artemis said, in Thailand it's an integrated part of the culture, be it in public or private hospitals. That's what I meant.
All Thai hospitals serve known, standard "healing foods" - mostly a bone broth-rice soup, bitter melon soup and fruit. Government hospitals, private hospitals - it's an ingrained part of the culture here to rest the digestive system when you are sick and to give nourishing soups. No jello here. LOL.
I've always avoided bitter melon because I never saw a recipe that appealed but now I will
So many really nice ways to cook it! @likedeeler has just inspired me to make a coconutty green curry with bitter melon and seasonal mushrooms. Over black rice. Oh yum!
I don't think I've ever tried it, unless incidentally. I must seek it out intentionally and give it a go. Healing soup? As @stortebeker says below, I do wish they'd give healing food like this in hospitals. I guess budgets and time constraints don't make for considerate food.
All Thai hospitals have "considerate food". Interestingly, just last week I saw in the media that Thailand has been voted-assessed as being #6 for healthcare in the world. Our 30 baht health care scheme ($1.50 flat fee for ANY treatment for people assessed as being in need) is really quite radical. Me? I pay the extortionate expat rate of $3.50 to see my wonderful english speaking Dr, who also only charges $3.50 for an xray or a blood test.
That IS amazing. We do tend to think ourselves better in the West but could well do being less egocentric and look to other countries for advice! For now, my Mum makes GOOD food for Dad in hospital. He got uncooked sugary muffins last week and cold eggs. Gag.
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This was my most feared food when I was a kid 🤣
I still don't enjoy its taste but I sometimes try to eat some when my wife cook it as I know the health benefit it has. I'm starting to tolerate its taste lol.
You have to know HOW to prepare this one to make it delish. Soaking in salt is a game-changer on the taste. :)
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In Indonesia we called "Pare". We believe this vegie can make our brain work more better.
For delicious simple recipe, we just put them together with omelet. Reduce the better taste.
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Please do not use #fruitsandveggiesmonday tag if the post content is not 100% vegan/ plant based. Thank you!!!
@riverflows. 😭
It WAS plant based. Not vegan. And you wonder why so few people want to make the journey? Disappointed & wont be supporting an excluding community again.
I don't understand your comment. This is from your post, which doesn't sounds plant based to me.
But in almost every Thai village version I've had of this dish, the minced pork or chicken is simply floating loose in the clear broth with slices of Bitter Melon, a few shiitake mushrooms and maybe some carrot and fresh coriander. It's surprisingly yum, not very bitter when the gourd is treated with salt, and just somehow very healing, soothing and comforting.
Bitter Melon is often served as a breakfast stir fry, with eggs and/or finely sliced chicken, over rice. That's a very standard way to eat Bitter Melon in Vietnam and Southern China too.
@lenasveganliving You're assuming I understood that the tag was a vegan contest. I didnt. Naturalmedicine encouraged us to use the tag. My post way about a natural medicine vegetable & the tag seemed appropriate.
Unfollowing me for transgressing on your vegan patch? Clearly you simply need to explain your tags & invite discussion, rather than slamming your vegan door on people who are keen to engage more with a plant based life style.
Kudos to @plantstoplanks who was lovely & explained your contest in the naturalmedicine discord.
As I said already, there is nothing ethical about being rude or excluding.
I am glad Katie explained it yesterday, although I assumed the Natural Medicine group knew all along, since @riverflows joined our contest in the past, there for she knows the rules. Besides, we post the rules weekly, because after all, #fruitsandveggiesmonday is not just a tag, it is a contest: https://steemit.com/fruitsandveggiesmonday/@vegansofsteemit/2mdt8d-steemit-fruits-and-veggies-monday-challenge
As far being rude, I don't think I was, since I did not say anything offensive to you. All I said, "please remove our tag." What is rude about that? I've been running this contest for two years and I never run into anyone so defensive after receiving this type of comment from me. They usually apologize and remove the tag and that is the end of it.