Bitter Melons Delivery or Pickup

Melons bring out the best in us. They are a sweet, delicious, and healthy tropical fruit enjoyed almost universally across the world. Many people probably think first of the watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew when contemplating the melon category. Interestingly, though, melons are an incredibly diverse fruit, with many different varieties favored by consumers in different countries.

Some melons don't necessarily really look like melons. Take, for instance, the bitter melon. Its shape, color, and skin texture almost suggest a relationship to the cucumber. Bite into a bitter melon, though, and you are in for a juicy treat that will provide you with significant sources of different vitamins and minerals. Let's take a look at the bitter melon, so you know what to consider on your next shopping trip:

Grown mainly in hot and humid climates in the Caribbean, Africa, southeast Asia, and China, bitter melon is a pretty accurate description. You will notice the bitterness the moment you bite into a piece of the fruit, but that, in a way, is what makes it so delicious and healthful. The bitter melon goes by other names around the world as well: the bitter squash, balsam pear, karela, and goya. One of its main characteristics is its ugly appearance. The bitter melon is oblong with a deep green grass color and bumpy, lumpy skin.

Ugly, maybe, but the bitter melon packs quite a nutritional package. One serving gives you a day-and-a-half's worth of vitamin C, and the fruit is also rich in potassium, folate, vitamin A, and cancer-fighting phytonutrients. You won't have to take in a lot of calories, either, as the bitter melon is fairly low in calories and carbohydrates.

Bitter melon is a great choice for turning into a juice, mixing with other types of fruits and beverages to get a superfood boost to the day. It's also very popular in Chinese cuisine, where most bitter melons are grown. The fruit is a very common addition to stir-fry recipes.

Don't overlook breakfast, either. Some intrepid cooks offer ways to mix bitter melons with peppers and other vegetables into a mixture with scrambled eggs. And, in case you were wondering, yes, you can also eat bitter melon as a snack. Just make sure to peel away the waxy skin first.

One interesting tip that you can try: Some advise letting the bitter melon sit for about 30 to 45 minutes before eating as a way of drawing out an intensified bitter taste.

Bitter melons do not make it difficult for you to tell if they are ready to eat. You can judge their ripeness by the color of their skin. Bitter melons that are greenish in nature tend to be less mature. However, if you see streaks of yellow and orange, the bitter melon is ripe and ready for whatever you have planned. Also, pay attention to the flesh of the fruit. It should be firm, not spongy. If you get that sensation, it's likely the bitter melon is past its peak.

If you find yourself adoring the taste of the bitter melon and decide to stock up, you do have some choices to keep the fruit around for the long term. Bitter melons can be dried and also pickled, which makes for an interesting taste sensation. As a practical matter, bitter melons may not respond well to freezing. You can keep them in a refrigerator for a week to 10 days after carving, but remember to slice them and put them into a plastic bag.