Bitter gourd
1、 Bitter Gourd: Get to Know This' Bitter Taste Bearer '
Bitter gourd is a common vegetable in summer, belonging to the gourd family. It is native to tropical regions and can now be grown in various parts of China, both north and south. Its appearance is very distinctive, with dense tumor like protrusions on the epidermis, resembling small bumps. The color is mostly dark green, but there are also light green or white varieties. After maturity, bitter gourd will turn orange yellow, with red seeds hidden in the flesh. It tastes slightly sweet, but usually we eat immature and tender melons, which have a more obvious bitterness. Many people don't like to eat it because of its bitter taste, but they don't know that there are many treasures hidden in this "bitterness".
2、 The nutrition of bitter gourd: unremarkable but comprehensive
Despite its bitter taste, bitter melon is very nutritious. It contains a large amount of vitamins, such as vitamin C, which is higher than that of tomatoes and can help the body resist bacteria; There are also B vitamins that are beneficial for maintaining skin and nervous system health. In addition, bitter gourd is rich in dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis and help us relieve constipation. The most special thing is that bitter melon contains a substance called "bitter melon glycoside", which is the reason why it tastes bitter. At the same time, this substance can also help regulate the body's metabolism, making it particularly suitable for summer consumption and bringing a refreshing feeling to the body.
3、 How to eat bitter melon: bitterness can also become delicious
In fact, the bitterness of bitter melon can be alleviated through simple methods. Blanch the sliced bitter gourd in boiling water for 30 seconds, or marinate it with salt for 10 minutes, then rinse with clean water. This will greatly reduce the bitterness. Common methods include stir frying bitter melon and stir frying bitter melon eggs, which can be paired with the aroma of eggs to neutralize some of the bitterness; It can also be made into bitter gourd soup, which can be consumed in summer to clear heat and quench thirst. Nowadays, many people still dry bitter gourd to make tea, which is convenient and can preserve its nutrients. However, it should be noted that bitter gourd has a cool nature and people with weak digestive systems should not eat too much at once.
4、 The cultivation of bitter gourd: a "summer vegetable" that is easy to feed
Bitter gourd has strong adaptability, as long as the temperature is above 20 ℃ and there is sufficient sunlight and water, it can grow. When planting, there is no need for complicated management. Regular watering and fertilization can produce many fruits. From sowing to harvesting, it only takes about 2-3 months, so in summer, bitter melon can be seen in many family gardens. Freshly picked bitter melon tastes more crispy and tender.