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Bitter melon (also called bitter gourd, or karela in Hindi) is one of those vegetables people either grew up loving or can’t stand. This smoothie is for everyone in between. Blending it with sweet apple, cool cucumber and a squeeze of lemon takes the edge off the bitterness, so you get a fresh, tangy green drink instead of a punishing shot.

In the US and Canada you’ll find bitter melon at Asian and Indian grocery stores, and increasingly in the produce section of larger supermarkets. Look for firm, bright green gourds without yellow patches.

bitter-melon-smoothie
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Bitter Melon Smoothie

A cool, tangy bitter gourd smoothie balanced with apple, cucumber and lemon, so it is far easier to drink than straight karela juice.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Snack
Servings: 1 person

Ingredients

  • 2 pcs Bitter gourd
  • 2 pcs Red apple
  • 1 pc Cucumber
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 4 pcs ice cubes
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Cut the skin from the bitter gourd and wash the gourd under cold running water.
  • Scoop out the seeds and white flesh from the bitter gourd with a spoon, leaving the green outer section. Cut it into cubes.
  • Soak the cubes for few minutes in a bowl of water with salt or juice from half a lemon.
  • Add the bitter gourd to a blender. Pour water, apple, cucumber and lemon into the juicer or blender.
  • Strain the juice to remove any solid pieces and blend it again with ice cubes, serve it cool.

How to make bitter melon less bitter

  • Remove the seeds and white pith. Most of the harshness sits in the spongy centre, so scoop it out completely.
  • Soak before blending. Leave the cubes in salted water, or water with lemon juice, for 10–15 minutes, then rinse.
  • Choose smaller, darker gourds. Indian karela tends to be more bitter than the paler, smoother Chinese variety, so start with the Chinese type if you’re new to it.
  • Balance with sweet and sour. Apple, pineapple, a little honey and lemon all help.

How to make bitter melon juice instead

Prefer a straight juice? Use the same prep, but skip the apple and cucumber:

  1. Peel, deseed and chop 1 medium bitter melon, then soak the pieces in salted water for 10 minutes and rinse.
  2. Blend with about 1 cup (250 ml) of cold water, the juice of half a lemon and a pinch of salt.
  3. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing the pulp to get all the liquid out.
  4. Stir in a little honey if you like, and drink it straight away.

Storage

This smoothie is best fresh. If you need to make it ahead, keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge and drink it within 24 hours; it gets more bitter as it sits.

A note on health

Bitter melon is a good source of vitamin C and has long been used in traditional cooking across South and East Asia. It has also been studied for its effect on blood sugar, so if you take medication for diabetes, check with your doctor before drinking it regularly. It is generally not recommended during pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use frozen bitter melon?

Yes. Frozen sliced bitter melon from Asian grocery stores works well; thaw it, squeeze out the excess water and skip the soaking step.

Do I need to peel bitter melon?

No, the skin is edible. Peeling the bumpy outer layer just makes the smoothie a little milder.

What can I add to make it taste better?

Try a few chunks of pineapple, a handful of mint, a small piece of ginger or half a banana for a creamier texture.

Want more green drinks? Try our green kale smoothie.