~25 - 30 lbs Indian Bitter Melon aka "Karela", "Indian Bitter Gourd", "Yin-Du-Ku-Gua", "印度苦瓜" Indian bitter melon has a narrow, cylindrical shape with tapered, pointed ends. The skin is thick and bumpy covered in many small, irregularly shaped ridges. The flesh is crisp, firm, and white, encasing a small cavity filled with seeds and pith. Indian bitter melons are considered unpalatable when raw, and once cooked, they develop a tender consistency with a sharp, bitter flavor. Common application includes stir fry and curry. Handling Tip Selection Indian bitter melon has a bright green color with no signs of blemishes or mold. The stem is green and moist. As the Indian bitter melon ripens, the flavor becomes stronger. Storage Indian bitter melon should be stored at 53°F - 55°F (12°C - 13°C) with a relative humidity of eighty-five to ninety percent and no mist. The typical shelf life is up to two weeks. Individually wrapped Indian bitter melon has a longer shelf life. Indian bitter melon is sensitive to ethylene, a naturally occurring gas that regulates ripening. Indian bitter melon should not be stored with high ethylene-producing products to extend shelf life and avoid over-ripening. Indian bitter melon produces a low level of ethylene. Ethylene production increases as the vegetable ripen. Indian bitter melon is highly sensitive to chilling injury at storage below 50°F. Symptoms include skin shriveling, reduction in firmness, and development of brown/water-soaked spots. Sometimes, chilling injury symptoms may not be apparent until return to a higher temperature.
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