But apart from numerous different ways to prepare the bitter gourd for the table, it can also be used to make bitter tea and bitter gourd juice.
國人在熱天裡引為退火聖品的「苦茶」，它的主要原料就是苦瓜根。苦瓜根俗稱「苦瓜頭」，約有一尺長，手腕般粗，是整株瓜藤苦味最濃之處。