An effective way to remove bitter papaya flowers without salt, just use 1 leaf

illustration photo: Gemini AI

Brilio.net – Papaya flowers are champions when it comes to nutrition, starting from vitamins A, C, E, to fiber which is good for digestion and lowers cholesterol. Unfortunately, the glucosinolate and cyanogenic content in it gives it a bitter taste which often makes people reluctant to eat it.

If people usually use salt or tamarind, there is a natural alternative that is considered much more effective, namely using beluntas leaves. These leaves, which often grow wild in yards, are very effective in dissolving substances that cause bitterness.

Steps to Remove Bitter Papaya Flowers

Want to try this trick at home? Follow the easy steps from @dek_sarah’s TikTok upload below:

1. Weed and Clean: Separate the papaya flowers from the stems. Discard parts that are damaged or wilted to maintain freshness.

photo: TikTok/@dek_sarah

2. Wash Clean: Wash the papaya flowers under running water until they are completely clean, then drain.

3. Boiling Process: Prepare a pot of boiling water. Add the papaya flowers along with a handful of cleaned beluntas leaves.

photo: TikTok/@dek_sarah

4. Wait until soft: Boil until the papaya flowers feel soft. A sign that the bitter taste has faded is that the color of the cooking water turns cloudy.

5. Drain: “Discard the water and the papaya flowers are ready to be cooked,” said Sarah.

Beluntas Leaf FAQ

1. What are beluntas leaves and where can you find them?

Beluntas leaves are a wild shrub that is often found in home gardens, forests, or as a living fence. This leaf is also known as a herbal medicine for rheumatism and muscle pain.

2. Will beluntas leaves affect the taste of papaya flower dishes?

Beluntas leaves only function to absorb the bitter taste during the boiling process. After boiling, the beluntas leaves and water are discarded, so that the original taste of the papaya flowers remains delicious when stir-fried.

3. How long is the ideal time to boil papaya flowers with beluntas leaves?

Boil until the papaya flowers feel quite soft and the boiled water turns cloudy, usually takes about 10-15 minutes.

4. Is the glucosinolate substance in papaya flowers dangerous?

This substance is a natural compound that gives it a bitter taste. Although not extremely toxic, diluting this substance through boiling makes papaya flowers more comfortable on the tongue and stomach.

5. Apart from beluntas leaves, are there other leaves that have a similar function?

Traditionally, some people use cassava leaves or guava leaves, but using beluntas leaves as shared by Sarah is considered a very effective alternative.

(brl/tin)