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The Asian pickling melon, scientifically known as Cucumis melo, is a trailing vine in the gourd family native to central Asia. Unlike its sweeter relatives, this variety has greenish flesh and is neither musky nor sweet, making it suitable for pickling.1

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), also called bitter gourd, is a different plant entirely. It is a gnarled, warty vine found in India, China, and Southeast Asia. While also used in cooking, its intense bitterness is often tempered by pre-salting, parboiling, or pairing with other flavors. Bitter melon is sometimes pickled with asafoetida and mango.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. melon
  2. bitter melon

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