30 – 40 lb
Seasonally sourced from Canada, Florida, Mexico, and New Jersey
Bitter Melon aka “Bitter Cucumber”, “Bitter Gourd”, “Ku-Gua”, “苦瓜”
Bitter melon is a cucumber-shaped vegetable with a warty, pebbly surface. It usually grows up to five to eight inches long. Bitter melon tastes crunchy and bitter with large tan seeds that are usually removed before use. Bitter melon is usually stir fry or stuffed with minced pork as a side dish. Bitter melon is available year-round.
Handling Tip
Selection
Bitter melon has a bright green color with no signs of blemishes or mold.
The stem is green and moist.
As the bitter melon ripens, the flavor becomes stronger.
Storage
Bitter melon should be stored at 53°F – 55°F (12°C – 13°C) with a relative humidity of eighty-five to ninety percent and no mist.
The typical shelf life is up to two weeks. Individually wrapped bitter melon has a longer shelf life.
Bitter melon is sensitive to ethylene, a naturally occurring gas that regulates ripening. Bitter melon should not be stored with high ethylene-producing products to extend shelf life and avoid over-ripening. Bitter melon produces a low level of ethylene. Ethylene production increases as the vegetable ripen.
Bitter melon is highly sensitive to chilling injury at storage below 50°F. Symptoms include skin shriveling, reduction in firmness, and development of brown/water-soaked spots. Sometimes, chilling injury symptoms may not be apparent until return to a higher temperature.
Creating clear and transparent shipping and handling policies is crucial for a commodity trading company like Agropastoral Products Co., Ltd. Here's a framework for the Shipping and Handling Policy:
1. Shipping Policy:
a. Shipping Process: - Detail the steps involved in the shipping process, from order placement to delivery.
b. Shipping Rates: - Specify the shipping costs associated with various products or order amounts.
c. Delivery Timeframe: - Provide estimated delivery times based on location and shipping method.
d. Shipping Carriers: - Name the shipping carriers used and any partnerships that may influence shipping.
e. International Shipping: - Explain international shipping options, rates, and potential customs or import duties.
f. Tracking Information: - Describe how customers can track their orders and obtain tracking information.
g. Shipping Restrictions: - List any countries, regions, or products where shipping may be restricted or limited.
2. Handling Policy:
a. Packaging: - Describe how products are packaged to ensure safe transit and delivery.
b. Quality Assurance: - Explain any quality control measures or checks in place during the handling process.
c. Fragile Items: - Provide special handling instructions for fragile or delicate commodities.
d. Inventory Management: - Detail how inventory is managed to maintain accuracy and prevent errors in order fulfillment.
e. Returns and Exchanges: - Outline the process for handling returns, exchanges, or replacements related to shipping issues or damaged items.
3. Additional Policies:
a. Lost or Damaged Items: - Explain the procedure for reporting and addressing lost or damaged items during shipping.
b. Split Shipments: - Describe under what circumstances the company may split an order into multiple shipments and how this is communicated to the customer.
c. Free Shipping Offers: - Clarify conditions for free shipping, such as minimum order amounts or specific products.
d. Holiday or Peak Season Shipping: - Provide information about any special considerations or delays during peak seasons or holidays.
e. Force Majeure: - Address how the company handles unforeseen events like natural disasters, strikes, or other force majeure events affecting shipping and delivery.
f. Contact Information: - Provide contact details for customers to reach out for shipping-related queries, concerns, or support.
Regularly update and review these policies to ensure they align with your company's operations and any changes in shipping or handling processes. Communicating these policies clearly to your customers will help manage their expectations and provide a positive shopping experience.
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