Karela, also known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is a tropical fruit that is widely used in Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian cuisine. It has a distinctive oblong shape and a rough, bumpy exterior that is usually light to dark green in color.
The taste of karela is very bitter, as its name suggests. The flesh is firm and crunchy, with a slightly fibrous texture, and the seeds are also edible. The bitterness of karela can be overpowering for some people, but it is considered a delicacy in some cultures and is valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties.