Does Bitter Gourd Go Bad?

The answer is very easy. Yes, it does go bad. Like all other vegetables go bad, so does bitter gourd. But every vegetable has a different time frame to go bad. Though the shelf-life of bitter gourd is less, you can prolong it to an extent through proper storage. There are so many reasons behind bitter gourd going bad.

If you do not store it properly, then there are chances to grow unwanted spices in the bitter gourd. The vegetable has high moisture content. This is the reason behind the occurrence of rapid biochemical changes.

How to store bitter gourd?

There are plenty of ways to store bitter gourd. You need to follow all the ways to store your bitter gourd. If you follow these steps, your bitter gourd will stay fresh. You can consume your fruit for a bit longer than expected.

Keep away from sunlight

Keep your bitter gourd away from sunlight. Your fruit shall not be exposed to sunlight, or else it will go not well. And you cannot use it after it is spoiled due to sunlight. It will go to waste directly.

The sunlight or any source of light and heat will absorb its moisture. And will turn the fresh bitter gourd from green to yellow quick.

Keep it in a zip-lock bag

If you want to last your bitter gourd longer. First, thoroughly wash your fruit with cool water. Then let it completely dry. There shall be no water on the vegetable skin. After it is completely dried, then keep it in a zip-lock bag. Keep that bag in the refrigerator.

Refrigerate it

Not the last, but an important step to store your bitter gourd is to store it in the refrigerator. It will be fresh for up to a few days. Nearly up to 3 to 4 days.

Your bitter gourd will not spoil in the refrigerator. You can consume the vegetable easily without doubting it. But keep the bitter gourd in a separate compartment of the refrigerator.

It would help if you did not store it with other fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene gas. It will induce it to ripen continuously.

All the above-mentioned methods are ways you can store your vegetable. But remember these methods are to store your vegetable for the short term. By following these steps, you cannot store bitter gourd for the long term. The procedure for that is different.

Can you freeze the bitter gourd?

Yes, you can freeze the bitter gourd. If you want to store the bitter gourd for the long term, then freezing it is the best option. But there is a proper way to freeze the vegetable.

Wash and dry the vegetable. Then you have to cut the stem. Take out the seeds from the bitter gourd. Slice the vegetable. Please keep them in an airtight bag. And then keep that bag in the freezer. Remember, if you are using a normal bag for storage, squeeze all the air or maximum air from the bag. When you want to use it, please take out the vegetable defrost and use it.

How long will the bitter gourd last?

Though at room temperature, the bitter gourd will not last long. Because it contains moisture in it which will spoil it faster and it can hardly stay fresh for up to 2 to 3 days at room temperature.

But there are ways that you can adapt to make it last longer than expected. If you want to use it shortly, you can keep it in the fridge. Compared to room temperature, it will last a few days more.

Keeping it fresh for even longer than a week or so, you can use a freezer to store your bitter gourd. If you freeze the vegetable, it will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months. You can consume the frozen bitter gourd.

But it is recommended by experts to consume the vegetable as fresh as possible. The freshly harvested vegetables contain more nutrition. And avoid using frozen vegetables. However, there is no harm in using it but better to eat fresh vegetables.

How to tell if the bitter gourd is bad?

There are certain ways through which you can know either your vegetable is bad. Down below are few indicators; if you find them in the bitter gourd, it means it has gone bad;

• If you find discoloration on the vegetable, it means you cannot use it. It is because of chemical reactions that will turn it yellow. It has gone bad. You have to discard the vegetable.
• Suppose the bitter gourd has become softer than normal. Throw it away. Please do not eat it.
• Though it does not have a pleasant smell after it has spoiled, the smell will be pungent. That is poisonous. Do not consume it. It is not good for your health.
• The vegetable will become mushy.

These are the few ways to know. If you sense any of these changes in your bitter gourd, do not eat it.

Sources

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