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Bitter melon

Bitter melon suppliers and sourcing guide

Bitter melon is the fruit of Momordica charantia, a climbing vine in the gourd family grown as a vegetable across South and Southeast Asia, China, Africa and the Caribbean. For ingredients, the unripe fruit is sliced and dried, then milled to powder or extracted with water or water-alcohol; some extracts are standardized to saponins or charantin. Fresh fruit and frozen slices are a separate produce trade.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Momordica charantia · bitter gourd · karela · balsam pear
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of bitter melon

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Dried fruit slices

    Sliced, dried fruit for tea and further processing.

  • Fruit powder

    Dried fruit milled to a powder for capsules, drink mixes and foods.

  • Standardized extract

    Water or hydroalcoholic fruit extract with a declared saponin or charantin percentage; the method varies by supplier.

  • Organic

    Fruit from certified organic farms, with the certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Macroscopic and microscopic examination or HPTLC fingerprint to confirm Momordica charantia fruit.
Saponin or charantin assay
Total saponins by UV-Vis or gravimetric methods, or charantin by HPLC, as the spec requires. Methods differ, so the COA should name it.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella. Raw cut herb and powder carry more microbial load than extracts and may be steam treated.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, required for organic claims and commonly asked for on conventional lots.
Physical tests
Loss on drying, particle size or mesh, and for extracts the extract ratio, carrier and residual solvents (USP <467> or the buyer's spec).

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep slices, powder and extract sealed in lined bags or drums, cool, dry and out of direct light. Powders and dry extracts pick up moisture and cake once opened, so reseal containers and limit time open on the production floor. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Bitterness and marker content vary with variety, ripeness at harvest and drying, so check each lot's COA and taste against an approved sample. Record origin, plant part and supplier lot.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Momordica charantia (POL-NF-00507) concerns only the berries and leaves, listing the fruits (berries) as not novel in food and the leaves as not novel in food supplements.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

  • Member state information in that EU entry records food use only for raw and cooked fruit, including powder but not extracts.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Bitter melon suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking bitter melon suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of bitter melon can brands buy?

Common forms include dried fruit slices, fruit powder, standardized extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for bitter melon include?

Expect identity, saponin or charantin assay, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should bitter melon be stored?

Keep slices, powder and extract sealed in lined bags or drums, cool, dry and out of direct light. Powders and dry extracts pick up moisture and cake once opened, so reseal containers and limit time open on the production floor. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.

What is the regulatory status of bitter melon?

The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Momordica charantia (POL-NF-00507) concerns only the berries and leaves, listing the fruits (berries) as not novel in food and the leaves as not novel in food supplements. Member state information in that EU entry records food use only for raw and cooked fruit, including powder but not extracts.

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