Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Bitter melon
| Bitter melon | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial nomenclature | ||||||||||||||
| Momordica charantia |
The bitter melon, also called bitter gourd, balsampear, or balsamapple, is the edible fruit of the plant Momordica charantia. The 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. It is also eaten in India.
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10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details