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Baby Doll bitter melons are small in size, averaging 7-10 centimeters in length, and are oblong and narrow in shape with tapered, pointed ends. The thick, bumpy, and waxy skin is rough, covered in many small bumps known as “teeth,” knobs, and vertical ridges. Underneath the surface, the flesh is firm, dense, crisp, and white, encasing a central core filled with white pith and flat seeds. Baby Doll bitter melons are aqueous and crunchy with a bitter, green flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Baby Doll bitter melons are available year-round.
Current Facts
Baby Doll bitter melons, botanically classified as Momordica charantia, are small, edible pods that grow on prolific climbing vines that can reach over one meter in length and are members of the Cucurbitaceae family along with cucumbers. Also known as Bitter gourds, Karela, and Balsam pears, there are many different varieties of small Indian bitter melons found in tropical and subtropical regions across the world. Baby Doll bitter melons are a specific hybrid variety created for its small size, crunchy consistency, and milder flavor. The plant is fast-growing, produces high yields, and is an early maturing variety, favored by locals for its petite size, typically used stuffed in culinary recipes.
Nutritional Value
Baby Doll bitter melons are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which help protect the overall health of the body, and also contain folate, potassium, zinc, iron, and fiber to improve digestion.
Applications
Baby Doll bitter melons are best suited for cooked applications such as frying, boiling, pickling, baking, stuffing, and sautéing. The seeds and pith are very bitter and should be removed prior to preparing. It is also recommended to soak the melon in salt water for at least twenty minutes or boil slices of the melon in a mixture of white vinegar, turmeric, salt, and sugar to reduce the bitterness. Baby Doll bitter melons are popularly sliced and tossed into soups, stews, and curries, cooked with spices and served with yogurt, or lightly sautéed in stir-fries. In India, the small melons are also prepared in sabzi, which are vegetables coated in gravy or in katty pagarkai, which are bitter melons stuffed with grated coconut, onions, spices, and lentils and then fried. Baby Doll bitter melons can be used in any recipe calling for bitter melon. The sour flavor of the melon is also often paired with rich foods that can cut through the bitter taste such as peanuts or coconut. Baby Doll bitter melons pair well with spices such as cumin, coriander, and chili powder, caramelized onions, lentils, meats such as pork, poultry, beef, and lamb, tofu, garlic, eggplant, okra, string beans, tomatoes, lima beans, and coconut milk. The fruits will keep 4-5 days when stored loosely in a paper or plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Bitter melon has been used for centuries in traditional eastern medicine to help aid in digestion. In Ayurvedic medicine, the melon is commonly made into a tea or dried and ground into a powder for use as an aid to deeply cleanse the body from impurities. It is also believed to help balance the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients, protect the pancreas, and help with intestinal parasites and migraines. In India and Thailand, Baby Doll bitter melons are a popular home garden variety as they are easy-to-grow in small spaces, produce high yields, and many parts of the plant including the leaves, gourds, seeds, and stems can be utilized in medicinal and culinary applications.
Geography/History
Bitter melon is native to India, specifically to the northeastern Bengali region and has been growing wild since ancient times. It was then introduced to China during the 14th century and has spread in popularity across Asia. Baby Doll bitter melons were developed by a seed breeder in Thailand. Today Baby Doll bitter melons can be found at local markets in Asia, especially in Thailand, India, Vietnam, and China, and in Southeast Asia.
Dimapur New Market
797112 Dimapur, Nagaland
Baby Doll bitter melons possess a distinct appearance with their thick, bumpy, waxy skin, covered in small bumps or “teeth,” knobs, and vertical ridges. Commonly 7-10 centimeters long, these vegetables are oblong and narrow, tapering at the ends. Their white, crisp, and dense inner flesh encases a central core filled with flat seeds and pith. Known for their crunch, they offer a bold bitter, green flavor that adds complexity to dishes.
Tsierama youth organization market shed
Ruziezou, Kohima, Nagaland
Baby Doll bitter melons are versatile in cooking and can be fried, pickled, stuffed, or sautéed. To lessen their bitterness, remove seeds and pith and soak in salt water or boil with vinegar, turmeric, salt, and sugar. They pair well with spices like cumin and coriander, caramelized onions, lentils, and meats. They keep fresh for 4-5 days when stored in the crisper drawer of a refrigerator.
Bamboo Market
M35X+CQC, B.O.C, P.R. Hill Kohima Nagaland 797005
Baby Doll bitter melons are a hybrid variety developed for their petite size, crunchy texture, and less intense bitterness. The vines can grow over one meter in length, producing high yields in a short period. Popular in tropical regions, these small bitter melons are favored for stuffing in recipes. They're rich in vitamins A and C, as well as folate, potassium, zinc, iron, and fiber to promote digestion and overall health.
Bamboo Market
M35X+CQC, B.O.C, P.R. Hill Kohima Nagaland 797005
Bitter melon: Baby Doll bitter melons are a cultivated variety originating in Thailand, developed by a seed breeder. Bitter melon itself hails from northeastern India and has been a part of ancient agricultural practices. Introduced to China in the 14th century, its popularity quickly spread across Asia, with Baby Doll varieties now found in markets across Thailand, India, Vietnam, China, and Southeast Asia.
Bitter melon has long been valued in traditional medicine for its health benefits. In Ayurvedic practices, it is transformed into tea or powder to cleanse the body of impurities, balance blood sugar in diabetics, safeguard the pancreas, and address intestinal parasites and migraines. In regions like India and Thailand, Baby Doll bitter melons are favored for their compact growth, abundant yields, and versatility in both cooking and healing applications.
First Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market 臺北市第一果菜批發市場
108台北市萬華區萬大路533號
Baby Doll bitter melons measure 7-10 centimeters in length and are oblong with pointed ends. Their skin is thick, bumpy, and waxy, featuring ridges and small “teeth” or knobs. The firm and crisp white flesh surrounds a central core containing white pith and flat seeds. Known for their aqueous texture, Baby Doll bitter melons offer a crunchy bite and a distinctively bitter green flavor profile.
Baby Doll bitter melons are versatile in cooking and need preparation to reduce their bitterness. The seeds and pith are very bitter and should be removed before use. To mellow the bitterness, soak the melons in salt water or boil them with turmeric, white vinegar, salt, and sugar. These melons pair excellently with rich ingredients like coconut or peanuts, spices like cumin or chili powder, and foods such as lentils, tomatoes, or meats.
Baby Doll bitter melons are small hybrid varieties of Momordica charantia, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, prized for their petite size, crunchy texture, and milder taste. These plants are fast-growing, high-yielding, and early maturing, producing pods favored for their versatility in cooking, often stuffed in recipes. They are also rich in vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, zinc, iron, and fiber, supporting digestion and overall health.
Bitter melon originated in India, particularly in the northeastern Bengali region, where it has grown wild for centuries. It was brought to China in the 14th century, eventually becoming popular throughout Asia. Baby Doll bitter melons, a specific variety, were created by a Thai seed breeder. These melons are now widely available at local markets across Thailand, India, Vietnam, China, and Southeast Asia.
Bitter melon has long been valued in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to cleanse the body and support digestion. It is often prepared as a tea or ground into powder for various remedies. Known for balancing blood sugar, it is used to support diabetic health, protect the pancreas, and address intestinal parasites and migraines. Baby Doll bitter melons are especially favored in India and Thailand for their adaptability, high yield, and versatile use in cooking and medicine.
