Bitter gourd (Bitter melon)

Momordica charantia

Also known as Bitter gourd (English), Bitter melon (English), Bittergourd (English), Balsempeer (Dutch), Bitterkomkommer (Dutch), Sopropo (Dutch), Cundeamor chino (Spanish), Melón amargo (Spanish), Margose (French), Balsambirne (German), Bittere Spring-Gurke (German), Bittergurke (German), Bittermelone (German), Goya (Other), Karela (Other)

A climbing vine grown for its bitter-tasting fruit, widely used in Asian and African cuisine and traditional medicine.

Species

Momordica charantia

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Climate requirements

Hot, humid tropical climate.

Temperature range

22-30°C (absolute 15-38°C)

Rainfall range

2000-2500mm (absolute 1000-4000mm)

Altitude range

1000m

Soil types

Well-drained fertile loam soils.

Soil pH

6-6.5 (absolute 4.5-8)

Value chain

Products from this Crop

Fresh Bitter gourd (Bitter melon)

Fresh bitter gourd (bitter melon), sourced from farms across Kenya and sold by the kilogram. See the Knowledge Platform entry for growing details.