# Are bitter melons actually edible?!

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bitter-melons-actually-edible/633964
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [September 7, 2012, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bitter-melons-actually-edible/633964 "2012-09-07T06:53:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 2

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### Author: ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2012, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bitter-melons-actually-edible/633964/21 "2012-09-08T00:10:07Z")

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I like bitter melon, but I doubt I’d enjoy it by itself. The flavor is too strong. I think it combines well with sour things, like pickled mustard greens.

The bitterness tends to be greatest in young melons. You can also reduce the bitterness by blanching the sliced melon for a couple of minutes.

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### Author: ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bitter-melons-actually-edible/633964/22 "2012-09-08T00:37:36Z")

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Great stuff. I really miss Okinawan food.

The first bite is the hardest. Then your mouth adjusts to the taste and its much easier to eat.

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