About the crop
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is one of the most popular vegetables in Kerala. The fruits are used in a variety of culinary preparations and possess high nutritive and medicinal value. The fruits are rich in vitamin C and folate, and contain alkaloids likely momordicine, saponine and albuminoides, which are medicinally important. Juice extracted by crushing bitter gourd fruits is most commonly used for treatment of diabetes.