Bitter Gourd from India — sourced, graded and export-ready.
Bitter Gourd (Karela) is rapidly gaining traction in European and American health
food markets as a 'blood sugar superfood' due to its high charantin content. We
export immaculate, dark-green, sharply ridged bitter gourds from India's finest
GAP-certified farms, shipping them via air freight to preserve their crisp
texture and potent nutritional profile.
Aethon Overseas supplies bitter gourd available as short dark bitter gourd (karela), long pale bitter gourd, baby bitter gourd. From trial samples to multi-container annual contracts, every lot is cleaned, graded and quality-checked before shipment — with a Certificate of Analysis, phytosanitary certificate and full export documentation included.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
|---|
| Grade/Size | Length 10-20cm | Standard export size |
| Moisture | 92-94% | Firmness checked |
| Colour | Dark green to light green | Depending on variety |
| Shelf Life | 5-7 days | Refrigerated (10-12°C) |
| Pesticide MRL | Compliant | Strict adherence, especially for EU |
Nutritional Information
Typical values per 100 g, edible portion — sourced from USDA FoodData Central and the Indian Food Composition Tables (ICMR-NIN, 2017). Lot-specific values are documented on the NABL-accredited Certificate of Analysis shipped with every consignment.
Macronutrients
| Nutrient | Per 100 g |
|---|
| Energy | 17 kcal |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Total Fat | 0.17 g |
| Carbohydrate | 3.7 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 2.8 g |
| Sugars | — |
Minerals
| Mineral | Per 100 g |
|---|
| Calcium (Ca) | 19 mg |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.43 mg |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 17 mg |
| Phosphorus (P) | 31 mg |
| Potassium (K) | 296 mg |
| Sodium (Na) | 5 mg |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.8 mg |
Vitamins
| Vitamin | Per 100 g |
|---|
| Vitamin A | 24 µg RAE |
| Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) | 84 mg |
| Vitamin E (alpha-toco) | 0.14 mg |
| Vitamin K | 4.8 µg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.04 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.4 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate | 72 µg |
Functional / Quality Markers
| Marker | Typical value / range |
|---|
| Charantin | Notable (glycosidic blend) |
| Polypeptide-p | Insulin-like protein |
References: USDA FoodData Central · Indian Food Composition Tables (ICMR-NIN 2017) · category-specific industry quality benchmarks. Values vary by variety, growing region, season and processing — request a per-lot COA for actual shipment values.
Available Forms & Variants
- Short Dark Bitter Gourd (Karela): Standard Indian variety, intensely bitter
- Long Pale Bitter Gourd: Milder bitterness, popular in SE Asia
- Baby Bitter Gourd: Small size, premium gourmet demand
Uses & Applications
- Indian/Asian supermarkets
- Health food stores
- Diabetic-friendly grocery
- Charantin extraction
- Diabetes supplements
- Karela juice (fresh/bottled)
- Stuffed karela dishes
- Stir-fries
- Health broths
- Dehydrated karela flakes/powder
- Pickled bitter gourd
- Snacks (karela chips)
Packaging & Shipping
| Pack Type | Sizes Available | MOQ |
|---|
| Corrugated Cartons | 4kg, 5kg net weight | 500 kg (Air freight) |
| Cold Chain Req. | Maintained at 10-12°C | Chilling injury below 10°C |
| Fumigation/Phyto | Yes | Visual inspection for fruit fly |
- Air Freight: 3–7 days
worldwide
- Sea Freight (FCL): 15–35
days
- Incoterms: FOB,
CIF, EXW available
- Port of Loading: Mundra
/ JNPT / Nhava Sheva
- Documentation: All export documentation included
Quality Assurance & Documentation
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) — NABL-accredited lab testing per batch
- Phytosanitary Certificate — Issued by Plant Quarantine, Govt. of India
- APEDA Registration — Mandatory agri export certification
- FSSAI License — Indian food safety compliance
- Fumigation Certificate — ISPM-15 compliant wooden packaging
Indicative Pricing & Lead Time
| Grade / Form | MOQ | Indicative FOB | Lead Time |
|---|
| Trial sample | Small sample | Free + freight at cost | 5–7 days |
| Standard grade | 1 MT / 1 container | USD on request | 2–3 weeks |
| Premium grade | 1 MT / 1 container | USD on request | 2–3 weeks |
| Bulk container (FCL) | 10–25 MT | Volume discount | 3–4 weeks |
| Annual contract | Multi-container/year | Negotiated pricing | Multi-shipment schedule |
Lab-Tested
