White Bittergourd (白玉苦瓜)
This appears to be a special hybrid quite unique to Taiwan. The locals have a fondness for crushing it into a juice and consumed it with some added honey.
Generally bittergourds are green and are usually sliced and stir-fried or chopped and brewed in soups. As the name implies, they are bitter, although under the right cooking conditions, the bitterness can be greatly minimised.
Accordingly, Chinese medicine advises that this is a fruit/gourd that helps to purge surges of latent heat from human body, helping to maintain the balance of the body. It is thus very popular during the summer months.
I am not a fan. While the white bittergourd is not as acutely bitter compared to its green sibling, it was still plenty bitter enough for me....with or without honey and I leave it to my mate to enjoy the drink!
White Bittergourd (白玉苦瓜)
This appears to be a special hybrid quite unique to Taiwan. The locals have a fondness for crushing it into a juice and consumed it with some added honey.
Generally bittergourds are green and are usually sliced and stir-fried or chopped and brewed in soups. As the name implies, they are bitter, although under the right cooking conditions, the bitterness can be greatly minimised.
Accordingly, Chinese medicine advises that this is a fruit/gourd that helps to purge surges of latent heat from human body, helping to maintain the balance of the body. It is thus very popular during the summer months.
I am not a fan. While the white bittergourd is not as acutely bitter compared to its green sibling, it was still plenty bitter enough for me....with or without honey and I leave it to my mate to enjoy the drink!