Bitter melon leaves

Bitter melon leaves are vibrant green and attached to a vine with long thin stems. Latin name of Bitter melo, Momordica translates as “to bite” in reference to the shape of the leaves which look as if they have been bitten.

Bitter melon leaves and the attached tendrils are most commonly served cooked as the heat will slightly lessen the bitterness of the greens. When cooking with other ingredients be sure to add the bitter melon leaves last to prevent an overly bitter flavor from taking over the dish. The entire bitter melon plant, including the leaves are very bitter in flavor, a taste which comes from its high content of quinine.