Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) for sale in market at Pune, India
Momordica charantia, called bitter melon, bitter gourd or bitter squash in English, Pavakai in Tamil, Karela in Urdu is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, which is among the most bitter of all fruits. Its many varieties differ substantially in the shape and bitterness of the fruit. The fruit has a distinct warty exterior and an oblong shape. It is hollow in cross-section, with a relatively thin layer of flesh surrounding a central seed cavity filled with large, flat seeds and pith. The fruit is most often eaten green, or as it is beginning to turn yellow. At this stage, the fruit's flesh is crunchy and watery in texture, similar to cucumber, chayote or green bell pepper, but bitter. The skin is tender and edible. Seeds and pith appear white in unripe fruits; they are not intensely bitter and can be removed before cooking.
Size: 5184px × 3455px
Location: India
Photo credit: © Arun Jadhav / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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