Can I still eat winter melon if it's a bit bitter?

Winter melon is a very common vegetable, but the nutritional value of winter melon is relatively high. Regular consumption of winter melon has many benefits to human health. Eating winter melon can also prevent constipation. However, winter melon is cold in nature, and people with poor stomach are not recommended to eat more. Under normal circumstances, winter melon will not be bitter. If the winter melon becomes bitter for unknown reasons, it is best not to eat it.

Can I still eat winter melon if it's a bit bitter?

There are two situations. The part at the base of the melon is bitter, and one or two pieces are bitter, which is normal.

There is also another type of winter melon where every slice tastes bitter. Don’t eat this kind, as it indicates that the cucurbitacin content in the pear has increased and the winter melon has gone bad.

Why is winter melon bitter?

Normal winter melon will not taste bitter. If it tastes bitter, it means that the cucurbitacin in the winter melon has increased, which can cause poisoning in humans. Generally, the production of this cucurbitacin is due to the following two situations. One is that the winter melon is cross-planted with some other plants. The other is the self-protection effect of the winter melon. When the weather is hot and the temperature is high, the cucurbitacin will be emitted and become bitter. Avoid being eaten by people. This is the plant's instinctive protection and also a reminder for human health. The world is truly wonderful.

In fact, it is not only winter melon that contains cucurbitacin. Any spoiled fruit or vegetable may produce it. Experts tell us: Under certain specific conditions (of course, such specific conditions are difficult to grasp now), it may occur during the planting process, it may occur during transportation, or it may be related to the season. As long as the conditions are right, cucurbitacin may appear in the fruits of cucumbers, pumpkins and other plants belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. So, when you find that the winter melon, cucumber or pumpkin you eat tastes bitter, just throw it away and don't eat it. Don't sacrifice your health to save money.

Is winter melon hot or cold?

Winter melon is a cool food.

Winter melon tastes sweet and is cold in nature. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, it is a cold food. It has the effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and reducing swelling. It is more suitable for people with a hot constitution.

Edible processing method of winter melon:

1. Wash off the white frost on the skin.

2. Lay the winter melon horizontally and cut it into large pieces that are as equal as possible.

3. After cutting, use a knife to take out the inner part of the winter melon. You can also use your hands.

4. Then cut it into two pieces to make it easier to cut.

5. Peel off the rind and get the flesh just like peeling a watermelon.

6. Remove the rind from all the winter melon pieces and put them together for later use.