Blanch bitter gourd in boiling water for a few minutes

Boiling bitter gourd with boiling water usually takes 1-2 minutes, and the specific time depends on the thickness of the bitter gourd slices. Blanching can reduce bitterness and preserve emerald green color, but excessive heating can easily lead to nutrient loss. Short blanching time of bitter gourd may not effectively remove oxalic acid and some bitter substances, affecting its taste. It is recommended to cut the bitter gourd into evenly thin slices or strips, boil the water, and then put it in the pot. During this process, gently flip it with chopsticks to ensure even heating. Immediately supercooling after blanching can maintain a crisp texture, suitable for cold mixing or quick stir frying. If used for stewing soup or long-term cooking, the blanching time can be appropriately shortened to about 30 seconds.

Blanching bitter gourd for too long can cause a large amount of vitamin C and B vitamins to dissolve in the water, softening the cell structure and losing its crispness. Especially for pregnant women or people with weak digestive function, excessive blanching may further reduce the digestive promoting effect of dietary fiber. If you need to keep the soup after blanching, it is recommended to stew bitter gourd with pork ribs, soybeans, etc. to fully utilize the dissolved nutrients. Under special circumstances, for example, in order to retain the saponins of momordica charantia in diabetes patients, salt or ice can be used instead of blanching water to remove bitterness.

After blanching bitter gourd, it is suitable to pair with ingredients such as eggs and fungus, which can balance its cooling properties. For those with gastrointestinal deficiency and cold, it is recommended to cook with ginger and garlic to avoid eating on an empty stomach. Choose tender bitter melon with plump and vibrant green protrusions on the epidermis, and blanch it for better results. Unscented bitter gourd can be refrigerated for 3-4 days for daily storage, and blanched bitter gourd should be consumed on the same day to ensure its nutritional value.