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Bitter Melons

Bitterness does not seem like the most appealing taste for food.  However, if you think about it… coffee, unsweetened cocoa, and beer.  They are all a bit bitter, yet a lot of people seem to love them.

So, what about Bitter Melons? 

There are different types of bitter melons so they all can look different, but no matter what they look like they have one thing in common.  Their taste is bitter.

Another thing they might have in common is that they are healthy for you!  It turns out bitter melon is a great source of dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Now for the Interesting fact of the day:  These babies  have also been used as the bittering agent instead of hops in some Chinese beers!

So, when I was little I hated the taste, and so I hated Bitter Melons.  It tastes like medicine, and I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to eat it out of enjoyment.  I don’t know when I suddenly grown to like the taste, but I eventually did.  Bitter melon soup is still a little too much bitter for my taste buds, but let’s end this post with a great Bitter Melon dish I do like…

Meat-Stuffed Bitter Melons!!

Meat Stuffed Bitter Melons

Related articles

• Bitter Melon with Spare Ribs and Garlic and Bean Sauce (denisefoodblog.wordpress.com)
• Sauteed Bitter Melon with Egg (denisefoodblog.wordpress.com)
• On tea and bitterness (mindmelodies.wordpress.com)

Pork Knuckle Dinner at Chef Teng

Chef Teng is a well known restaurant chain in Taiwan.  Like any other chains though it started with one restaurant.    I learned that the background of Chef Teng is that he studied some french cuisine in Japan a while back and incorporated some French cuisine in to Taiwanese food, which I found interesting.  The most popular dishes are Beef Noodles Soup and Stewed Pork Knuckles.  Chef Teng’s has been around for years, and now there are several different locations, including at the Kaohsiung Airport!

This is where I had my last meal in Taiwan before returning to the states.   I had a BLAST even though most of the time it was about visiting family.  The food has been spectacular!

Pork Chunks Meal with Pumpkin soup at Chef Teng

Of course before going back to the states, I wanted a yummy milk tea from Taiwan!  You can actually find them in Atlanta at many Asian restaurants too, but for some reason it is just not as good as right there in Taiwan. (In case you’re wondering Bubble Tea originates from Taiwan!  If you don’t know what that is, you’re gonna need to try it soon, it’s delicious!)

Milk Tea at Chef Teng

Related articles

• Liang’s Kitchen (mmm-yoso.typepad.com)
• Chinese Beef Noodle Soup (culinaryspirits.wordpress.com)
• How to Make Boba & Bubble Tea at Home (thekitchn.com)