Recipes ofIola Prieto

Nutritional Therapist · B8120181569

IKhan Move and StayMoving...

Carilie (Balsam Pear / Bitter Melon) Leaf Brew

Sunday, October 12, 2025
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Total time
15 minutes
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Preparation time
5 minutes
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Portions
2

Carilie leaf brew, often called "bitter melon tea," is a traditional herbal drink popular in Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean and Asia. It is made by steeping the fresh leaves of the Momordica charantia plant in hot water. This brew is highly regarded for its potential health benefits, stemming from the rich concentration of nutrients and bioactive compounds found in the leaves.

The resulting tea is potent and has a distinctly bitter flavor, which is a hallmark of its medicinal properties. It is traditionally used to help manage blood sugar levels, aid digestion, and provide a boost of antioxidants.

Ingredients
or10 leaves of Carilie (Bitter Melon/ Balsam Pear) Leaf (5 g)
or3 cups (16.9 fl oz) of spring Water (756 g)
or1 tbsp of honey (21 g)
or1 fresh lime juice, raw
Preparation
1.
Thoroughly wash the fresh Carilie leaves under cold running water to remove any dirt or impurities.
2.
Pour the water into a small pot or kettle and bring it to a rolling boil. If you are using ginger, you can add the slice to the water as it heats up.
3.
Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat. Add the clean Carilie leaves to the hot water. Cover the pot and let the leaves steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger and more bitter the brew will be.
4.
After steeping, pour the brew through a fine-mesh strainer into a mug to separate the leaves.
5.
The brew can be consumed as is. However, due to its strong bitter taste, you may want to add a squeeze of lime/lemon juice or a small amount of honey to make it more palatable. Stir well and drink while warm.
Nutritional information
Per 100 gPer portion (67 g)% DRI
Energy68 kcal45 kcal2 %
Fat0 g0 g0 %
Fatty acids, total saturated0 g0 g0 %
Cholesterol0 mg0 mg0 %
Sodium3 mg2 mg0 %
Carbohydrate19 g13 g4 %
Sugars14 g9 gremove
Fiber0 g0 g1 %
Protein1 g0 gremove
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Iola Prieto
Iola Prieto
Nutritional Therapist · B8120181569
IKhan Move and StayMoving...