Xin Man wild bitter melon tea

Wild bitter melon tea, also known as forest bitter gourd tea, is a 3-star OCOP product from Xin Man commune.

Xin Man wild bitter melon tea.

In Xin Man, wild bitter melon grows naturally on the mountain slopes and is traditionally harvested by local people for daily culinary use. Compared with ordinary bitter melon, wild bitter melon has a more intense bitter taste. According to traditional medicine, it offers health benefits for people with diabetes, gout, or high blood fat, helps prevent tumors, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, and is especially beneficial for those with high blood pressure. Its use is simple: it can be brewed as a daily tea or added to soups and stews.

Since 2017, the former Xin Man district authorities have directed specialized agencies to propagate the plant. After successful cultivation, wild bitter melon planting was expanded across 50 hectares, with an average yield of 5 tons per hectare. Local authorities also established processing facilities, including slicing machines, cold dryers, and packaging lines, and implemented product purchase agreements to support local farmers.

From the wild bitter melon, Xin Man has developed two products: sliced wild bitter melon tea and bagged wild bitter melon tea. Both are carefully processed, packaged, and labeled with barcodes, meeting food safety and hygiene standards.

Tran Lien