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Melon was mentioned in the texts of Ancient Egypt, Babylon, in Russia it appeared in the XII-XIII century. The abundance of varieties will sometimes cause confusion. But it is worth remembering that they all have approximately the same composition, similar calorie content and contraindications, and it becomes clear that personal preferences will be the main criterion for selection. Someone likes spherical golden fruits, others like elongated, almost white. All of them belong to the pumpkin family, the genus cucumber, are considered to be gourds. The same curiosity came out with melon as with watermelon. Some scientists consider it a berry, others consider it a vegetable, and gardeners and summer residents are simply a melon crop.
Features of the plant and its properties
It was believed that the birthplace of melon is Asia. But she feels great in the Mediterranean, Volga-Vyatka region and other areas, although breeders need to be thanked for this. They have created many varieties resistant to climatic conditions of different regions.
For normal growth and ripening of fruits, the melon needs open space. Her lash stalks are widely spread on the ground. They form from 2 to 8 ovaries. The weight of ripe fruits of large-fruited varieties reaches 8-10 kg. More common are more modest sizes in the range of 1.5-3 kg. The fruit, despite the scholarly differences, is called pumpkin. Flowering time occurs in June, pollination occurs with the help of bees, the fruits are sung in August. It is eaten raw, dried, dried, used to make jam, melon honey, and candied fruit.
The main property of melon is the quick quenching of thirst and very low calorie content. The insidiousness lies in the fact that slices of fresh melon stimulate appetite.
Important: in dried pieces, calorie content increases by almost 10 times.
As part of the pulp:
- cellulose;
- vitamins C, A, E, K, PP, group B;
- organic acids, including folic, nicotinic, pantothenic;
- choline;
- bioflavonoids;
- beta carotene;
- iron;
- calcium;
- potassium;
- phosphorus;
- selenium;
- copper.
The antioxidant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, cleansing and anti-stress properties of this aromatic fruit are well known.
Useful qualities of melon
A small but daily use of fresh melon helps:
- strengthen immunity;
- relieve chronic fatigue syndrome;
- maintain eye health;
- slow down plaque formation;
- stabilize blood pressure;
- reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, the development of atherosclerosis;
- relieve stress and prevent depression;
- improve mood;
- increase efficiency, endurance, general tone of the body.
The seeds of a ripened fetus are considered a strong aphrodisiac.In combination with honey and cinnamon, they are able to arouse love ardor even for couples with a long family experience.
Contraindications
Unfortunately, not everyone can enjoy the melon. With urolithiasis, diabetes, individual intolerance, in the acute period of gastritis and an ulcer, you will have to abstain from it. With an excessive amount of product, flatulence, putrefactive breath, and intestinal dysfunction may develop. Melon does not combine in dairy products, alcohol, water, which must be taken into account when preparing desserts and cocktails based on several juices. It is not recommended to exceed the daily norm of 200-300 gr. overweight people, slow metabolism.
Varieties of melon
Bred about a hundred different varieties and hybrids, familiar and exotic. They sometimes have cardinal differences in size and appearance, but juicy flesh and alluring sweet aroma unites them.
Cantaloupe
It is distinguished by a thick greenish skin, covered with a frequent grid of lighter stripes. Once it became a gift to the Pope, they brought it to Europe in the 15th century and have since grown it for gastronomic purposes. Cantaloupe is considered the earliest variety, has a strong, stable aroma, orange sweet flesh. Sometimes it is also called cantaloupe and is widely used in cooking.
Torpedo
It is immediately recognized on the shelves by its elongated oval shape, almost white peel and a breathtaking smell. Its shelf life is short, therefore, it appears on sale for a very short time. Those who did not have time to enjoy it will have to wait for the next season. The main cultivation zone is the countries of Asia, only there the natural conditions are ideal, the sun warms the air enough, and the humidity is minimal, which makes the melon sweet.
Galia
Belongs to large-fruited varieties, a weight of 4-6 kg is considered the norm, more impressive specimens are also found. Golden crust with a small mesh. The pulp has a greenish tint closer to the skin, in the middle the color changes to light yellow. By early August, melon of this variety can already be fearlessly bought in the markets, there will be no growth stimulants in it.
Collective farmer
It turned out to be such a successful achievement by breeders that even in the pre-war years it was included in the State Register and recommended for industrial cultivation up to Siberia and the Far East. Compact, resistant to climatic vagaries, quickly ripening fruits with excellent taste data in a short time won the recognition of customers. The disadvantages include a short shelf life.
It is worth considering: already 2-3 weeks after harvesting from the field, they begin to lose the richness of taste.
Ethiopian
It appeared recently, in appearance it resembles a pumpkin in color and a pronounced division of the fruit into segments. Quite large, average weight reaches 3.5 kg. The pulp is orange, dense, consumed fresh. Appreciated for its rich taste with bright honey tones. These melons will be on the shelves almost to frost, since the fruiting period is extended.
Among the varieties there is melon exoticism. It is called a serpentine melon. It is also called tarra, silver or Armenian cucumber. In shape, it really resembles a strongly overgrown vegetable, but the smell and taste are a real fruit. The pulp is watery, with many small seeds, has all the useful properties of a classic melon.
In addition, Cinderella, Muscat white, Titovka, Pineapple, Golden, Gulyabi are often planted in household plots.
Melon Selection Rules
To fully enjoy the taste of this gourd, you need to know a little tricks and not rely on the assurance of the seller in the quality of the goods. Unripe melon tastes like sweet potato, the overripe begins to bitter.The most delicious and sweet one is recognized by its clean, unclouded sweetish aroma, intact skin, and a dull sound when tapped. You can not give permission for a control cut, dirt can get inside, the melon will run out of juice until it arrives home.
It must be taken into account: the natural dates for the mass maturation of melons begin from mid-August. Up to this point, fruits stuffed with chemicals and growth stimulants are on sale. All types of melons and gourds quickly absorb any substances, including harmful emissions and synthetic fertilizing. Such a dessert can even poison or at least earn a persistent upset stomach. It’s better to wait a bit and buy a real fragrant melon, ripened naturally.
Cooking Application
Most often, melon is eaten fresh, sliced and peeled from seeds and peel. There are also several common recipes that will help you prepare a treat for the winter.
Melon honey
It preserves the sweetness, aroma and most of the nutrients. For him, they take a completely ripened fruit, peel it from seeds and peel, cut it into cubes and grind it in a blender. Juice is squeezed out of the gruel, poured into a thick-walled pan and boiled over low heat until a thick syrup.
Candied fruit
They perfectly replace overseas sweets on sticks, marmalades with dyes and for some unknown reason cooked goodies with an abundance of stabilizers. Apart from melon and sugar there is nothing there, but it is healthy and very tasty. For preparation, slightly unripe fruits with dense pulp are taken at the rate of 1 kg. peeled pieces of melon at 1.2 kg. Sahara. 400 mg are added to them. water. Syrup is boiled separately, a melon is immersed there for 3 minutes, then set aside for 12 hours. It will take 3-4 approaches. As soon as the pieces become transparent, they are laid out in a colander, dried, sprinkled with powdered sugar. Store in a tightly closed glass jar in a cool place until the goodies disappear completely. If the house has children, then this happens pretty quickly.
Curd mint dessert
For cooking you will need:
- cottage cheese - 125 gr;
- melon - 100 gr;
- yogurt - 2 tbsp;
- sugar - 30 g;
- mint - 2 branches.
Sun-dried melon is perfect for winter harvesting; it is used as an independent dessert, as a filling and decoration of pies and sweet dishes.
Melon ripening times are always looking forward, in August the period of this magnificent melon culture begins, bearing health and tasty shades, brightening up the approaching autumn. Melon blanks on winter evenings will remind you of a generous summer with a delicate honey aroma.
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