This high-quality dried Organic Bitter Melon (Karela, Bitter Gourd) is free of pesticides and shelf-stable. Low-heat dried to preserve delicate nutrients. Species: Momordica charantia Other names: karela, bitter apple, bitter gourd, bitter squash, balsam-pear, pavakka, kaipakka, asosi, kakara, karola, sopropo, khổ qua. Appearance: Fresh bitter melon is light to dark green in color with a bumpy, warty exterior. Chinese bitter melon is more smooth and yellow-green, whereas Indian bitter melon is more bumpy and darker green. Typically used: Sliced or cored and stuffed Origin: Southeast Asia; There are actually two types of bitter melon; The Chinese kind is long, light green, and more smooth with blunted ends. The smaller, darker green variety (which we are using for this product), is more firm with a more warty exterior, and it found in India, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines.