Thai Bitter Melon / Mara Jeen / Karela
Thai Name: Mara Jeen
Ma ra is the name given to Chinese Bitter Melon in Thailand. The fruit has a very distinct look with a wart type exterior and is oblong in shape. The vegetable itself is bitter in taste and it has a sweet fragrant aroma. Chinese Bitter Melon is usually made into a soup and it is considered to be a healthy dish.
The vine of the plant grows to approximately 5 meters and the plant bears male and female flowers, which are yellow and separated. The pith of the fruit is white when the fruit is unripe and this changes to a red colour when it is fully ripened. The Bitter Melon pith is particularly popular in South East Asia and is served in salad dishes. It is often used in stir-fries with pork and douchi when cooked in Chinese cuisine and its popularity extends to India where there is also a variety of the melon.
The bitter melon is used in Okinawa and it has been stated that the melon adds to the longevity of the citizens who tend to live longer than their counterparts on the mainland of Japan. The Vietnamese use the raw bitter slices to make a shrimp soup, and in the south of the country it is stuffed with ground pork and used as a soup in the summer months. The young shoots and leaves of the plant are often consumed in the Philippines and are known as dahon ng ampalaya.
Bitter Melon is also used medicinally and its properties help to digest food. It may though have adverse effects on people who suffer from stomach ulcers and heartburn. These effects are extremely rare and the majority of people do not suffer from any effects when consuming Chinese Bitter Melon. Enjoy this great tasting fruit dish.
Fresh produce from Thailand.
