5 effective ways to remove the bitterness from bitter melon, now eating it is more delicious

With the right technique, bitter melon can be transformed into a family favorite without leaving a bitter taste on the tongue.

Brilio.net - Bitter melon is known as a vegetable rich in benefits, from lowering blood sugar, improving digestion, to increasing immunity. Unfortunately, its distinctive bitter taste often makes many people reluctant to process or even just taste it. In fact, with the right technique, bitter melon can be turned into a family favorite dish without leaving a bitter taste on the tongue.

Many people don't know that the bitter taste of bitter melon can actually be minimized, even eliminated. The key lies in choosing the right bitter melon, preparation techniques, and how to cook it. Here are five tips for cooking bitter melon so that it is not bitter, summarized by BrilioFood from various sources, complete with a mainstay recipe that can be practiced directly at home. Get ready, bitter melon will be a delicious and addictive healthy menu !

Effective way to remove bitterness from bitter melon
photo: Meta AI

1. Choose bitter melon that is still young and fresh

One of the main keys to making bitter melon not too bitter is choosing the right bitter melon. Choose bitter melon that is still young, dark green, and small to medium in size. Bitter melon that is too big or ripe usually has a harder skin and a sharper bitter taste. Avoid bitter melon that is starting to fade in color or has a wrinkled surface, because that is a sign that the bitter melon is old and the bitterness is more pronounced.

2. Clean the Center Part and Remove the Seeds Carefully

After choosing the right bitter melon, the next step is to clean the center. Cut the bitter melon lengthwise, then scoop out the white part and seeds until completely clean. The center of the bitter melon is what holds the strongest bitter taste. Make sure there are no remaining seeds or white fibers left before the bitter melon is processed further.

3. Soak in salt or sugar, knead until wilted

Soaking bitter melon slices in salt is a classic trick that has proven to be effective. Sprinkle enough salt on the thinly sliced bitter melon, then squeeze it until the bitter melon feels wilted and the water comes out. Let it sit for about 20-30 minutes, then rinse with clean water. In addition to salt, sugar water can also be used as an alternative to soaking bitter melon. This process helps draw out the bitter compounds from the bitter melon flesh.

4. Boil with Guava Leaves or Blanching Technique

The blanching technique, which is boiling the bitter melon briefly in salted boiling water, is very effective in reducing the bitter taste. For maximum results, add a few guava leaves to the boil. Guava leaves contain substances that can neutralize the bitter taste of bitter melon. Boil for 25 minutes only, then drain and rinse with cold water.

5. Process with Strong Seasonings or a Combination of Other Ingredients

After the preparation process, the cooking method also has a big influence. Stir-fry the bitter melon with strong-smelling spices such as garlic, chili, shrimp paste, or oyster sauce. Combine the bitter melon with other ingredients such as salted fish, shrimp, or eggs, so that the bitter taste is increasingly disguised. Cooking with coconut milk can also be an option, because the fat in coconut milk can neutralize the bitterness of the bitter melon.

To make it more practical, here is a recipe for stir-fried bitter melon with eggs that is easy to make and guaranteed not to be bitter. This recipe combines some of the tips above for maximum results.

Material:
- 2 medium sized bitter melon (choose young and fresh)
- 1 tsp salt for soaking
- 2 chicken eggs
- 4 cloves of shallot, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 5 red cayenne peppers, sliced diagonally (optional)
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp stock powder
- 3 tbsp cooking oil

How to make:
1. Cut the bitter melon lengthwise, scoop out the center and remove the seeds until clean.
2. Thinly slice the bitter melon, sprinkle with salt, squeeze until wilted and the water comes out. Let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with running water until clean.
3. Boil the bitter melon in boiling water with a little salt for 23 minutes. Remove and drain.
4. Heat the oil, saute the shallots, garlic and cayenne pepper until fragrant.
5. Add the bitter melon, stir well, then add the oyster sauce, sugar, and stock powder. Stir again.
6. Beat the eggs, pour into the pan, stir quickly until the eggs are cooked and mixed evenly with the bitter melon.
7. Correct the taste, remove from heat, and serve while warm.

- Soak in Yogurt: The lactic acid in yogurt neutralizes the bitter taste. Soak the bitter melon slices in plain yogurt for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Flour Fried: Coat the bitter melon slices with seasoned flour, then fry until crispy. This method is perfect for a healthy snack that is crunchy and has minimal bitterness.
- Cook with Coconut Milk: Bitter melon is also delicious cooked with coconut milk and spices such as turmeric, lemongrass, and bay leaves. The fat in the coconut milk helps balance the bitter taste of the bitter melon.

(brl/tin)