Bitter gourd
Bitter gourd (korola) is known for its bitter taste and eaten as a regular part of the diet — Insaf offers 4 varieties.
Bitter gourd brings vitamin C along with its signature bitter edge — the very reason many people eat it fried as a regular habit.
Fried bitter gourd is one of the most recognizable bitter-tasting dishes on a Bengali plate.
Growing it in Bangladesh
- Sowing time
- Insaf 1326, Dipali Plus, and ISL-07 are sown from February to October, while Prince 1515 can be sown through February to November.
- Weather & soil
- Bitter gourd is a sun-loving vine that yields best on a trellis. Rainy-season humidity raises the risk of fungal disease, so good drainage matters.
- Care
- A trellis keeps fruit straight and clean
- Harvesting while young preserves both the bitterness and the freshness people want
- Water regularly, but don't let water stand at the base
- Remove affected leaves or fruit as soon as you spot them