How to store bitter melon for a long time? Why did the seeds in bitter melon turn red?

Bitter melon is native to East India. It likes moisture and is afraid of waterlogging. It is widely cultivated in tropical and temperate regions of the world. It is cultivated in the north and south of my country. The lycopene in bitter melon seeds is a natural pigment with a bright red color. How to preserve bitter melon for a long time? How to dry bitter melon? Please open the introduction below to learn more.

Contents of this article

1. How to store bitter melon for a long time

2. How to dry bitter melon

3. Why do the seeds in bitter melon turn red?

How to store bitter melon for a long time

It is best to pack the bitter melon in a fresh-keeping bag, which can reduce the loss of water on the surface of the bitter melon and keep it for a longer time. There are certain requirements for the environment in which bitter melon is stored. It is best to keep it in a dry and not too humid place, so that the taste of the bitter melon is not easily lost and the nutrients are retained for a longer time.

Bitter melon is native to East India. It likes moisture and is afraid of waterlogging. It is widely cultivated in tropical and temperate regions of the world. It is cultivated in the north and south of my country.

Bitter melon has high requirements for fertilizer. If there is sufficient organic fertilizer, the plant will grow strong, with lush stems and leaves, and the finished product will be of high quality.

The autumn planting period of bitter melon is generally from July to August. During this period, the climate is suitable, the management is easy, the harvest time is long, and the yield is high. The winter planting period of bitter melon is from November to December.

How to dry bitter melon

There are two ways to dry bitter melon. One is to dry it raw without blanching, and the other is to blanch it before drying. Before drying bitter melon, it needs to be sliced ​​and then placed outdoors to dry. At night, it needs to be collected and sealed in the refrigerator, and then dried again the next day. Repeat this process until it is dry.

Because the bitter melon slices will shrink due to dehydration after being sun-dried, they cannot be cut too thin.

Under sufficient sunlight, bitter gourd can be dried in about 3-5 days.

Dried bitter melon can be brewed directly with water or mixed with other teas.

Why are the seeds in the bitter melon turning red?

The seeds in the bitter melon turn red because the seeds naturally ripen and produce lycopene, which dyes the soft capsule on the surface of the bitter melon seeds red. As long as the bitter melon itself is not spoiled or moldy, then this mature bitter melon can be eaten normally. Even some bitter melons will turn redder in the flesh, making them less bitter.

When bitter gourd is ripe, the capsule covering the seeds inside will turn red. This kind of bitter gourd is edible and does not taste as bitter as ordinary bitter gourd.

Lycopene in bitter melon seeds is a natural pigment with bright red color. It is mainly found in foods such as tomatoes, watermelons, red grapefruits, papayas, bitter melon seeds, and guavas. Therefore, bitter melon seeds can be eaten when they turn red.

The red bitter melon seeds themselves are non-toxic and contain nutrients such as protein, fat, sugar, starch, vitamins, minerals, etc. They are edible and will not cause poisoning to the general public.