When was bitter melon introduced to China?
Bitter melon is also known as lai grape, cool melon, etc. It is an annual climbing plant of the genus Momordica in the Cucurbitaceae family, widely cultivated in tropical to temperate regions around the world. It is commonly cultivated in both northern and southern China. The fruit tastes sweet and bitter, and is mainly used as a vegetable, but can also be candied. The ripe flesh and aril are also edible. Now let us take a look at when bitter melon was introduced to China!
When was bitter melon introduced to China?
Bitter melon is native to the East Indies. There are no records of bitter melon in China before the Ming Dynasty. It is generally believed that it was brought back during Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas. Fei Xin, who accompanied Zheng He, recorded bitter melon in his book "Xingcha Shenglan". In the contemporaneous "Jiuhuang Bencao" (Herbal for Famine Relief), bitter melon was listed as one of the famine-relief crops. However, eating bitter melon was not widespread at the time, and it only became popular in the south after the mid-Ming Dynasty.
Why is bitter melon bitter?
The bitterness of bitter melon is caused by two substances. One is cucurbitacin, which is unique to cucurbit plants and mainly exists in the melon in the form of glycosides. The other substance is called wild cucumber juice enzyme. If both substances are present at the same time, bitterness occurs. In fact, these are "natural pesticides" synthesized by the plant, used to defend against pests, diseases and other unfavorable environments.
What are the benefits of eating bitter melon?
1. Promoting appetite: The momordicoside and bitter principles in bitter melon can increase appetite and strengthen the spleen and stomach. The alkaloid substances it contains, such as quinine, have diuretic and blood-activating effects, reduce inflammation and fever, and clear the heart and improve eyesight.
2. Preventing and fighting cancer: The protein components and large amounts of vitamin C in bitter melon can enhance the body's immune function, enabling immune cells to kill cancer cells, and can also strengthen macrophage activity.
3. Lowering blood sugar: The fresh juice of bitter melon contains momordicoside and insulin-like substances. These substances have a good blood sugar-lowering effect, making it an ideal food for diabetic patients.
4. Health and beauty: In the hot summer, women who frequently apply chilled bitter melon slices can immediately relieve skin dryness, and bitter melon can also moisturize and whiten the skin, soothe and moisturize it.
5. Weight loss: The bitter melon weight loss method requires persistence and eating at least two to three per day, while supplementing necessary nutrients. Eating bitter melon alone cannot provide the nutrients the body needs, so physical health should be the principle.