Bitter melon is the immature pod vegetable, popular in many Asian countries. This widely grown as edible pod is, in fact, among the most bitter of all culinary vegetables.
Botanically it belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae, of the genus: Momordica and is a member of the same family of squash, watermelon, cantaloupes, cucumber, etc. Scientific name: Momordica charantia. Some of the related varieties are balsam pear, cundeamor, la-kwa, etc.