Types of melon: 8 varieties, characteristics and information
Meet some of the most consumed and cultivated types of melon in the world, this is a very versatile fruit used to make smoothies , sweets, fruit salads and even soups.
Melons are summer fruits, characterized by their sticky, sweet interiors and hard shell-shaped exteriors.
However, their color, size and weight vary according to their types and places of origin.
As melons grow best in warm environments and soils, it is best to plant seeds in summer.
They require well-plowed, well-draining and fertile soil, and should be planted in an area that receives at least 8 hours of sunlight a day.
For cold environments, you can cover the soil to allow it to absorb and retain more heat.
Melon seeds should be planted directly in gardens because when melon seeds are relocated, their roots tend to give up and the plant dies.
When the melons are ready for harvest, these large fruits can be cut up and made into a variety of different delicious foods and treats.
In addition, melons are rich in vitamin C , vitamin K , folic acid and phosphorus .
Nutritional value of melon:
A 1-cup serving of melon provides:
- Calories: 64;
- Fiber : 1.4 grams;
- Vitamin B6 : 8% to RDI;
- Protein : 1 gram;
- Carbohydrates : 16 grams;
- Potassium : 12% of the RDI;
- Fat: 0 grams;
- Vitamin C : 53% to RDI;
- Magnesium: 4% of RDI;
- Folate : 8% of RDI;
- Vitamin K : 6% to RDI.
In addition, melon seeds also contain compounds with strong antioxidant capacity , including beta- carotene (pro-vitamin A), phytoene, quercetin, and caffeic acid.
Types of melons:
Classified and divided primarily on the basis of their origin, the various types of melon all feature variations in flesh color, taste, size, and rind texture.
european melon
European melons or Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis are characterized by their hard, greyish-green rinds.
The shells are slightly reticulated or, most of the time, not even reticulated and their exteriors are soft, light colors with green stripes, and no cobweb like crisscross patterns.
These types of melons are believed to have arrived in Italy in Europe from Africa or Asia.
They were unfairly named melons because of the Italian place where they were harvested after they arrived from their sources.
North America Melon
The North American melon has a wrinkled, reticulated skin over a pale yellow shell.
The rind is not as hard, but the flavors and odors are similar to that of regular melon.
When the fruit ripens and the skin turns from a greenish hue to a tan, while the pulp remains juicy, orange and fragrant.
asian melon
Asian melon is also known as Korean melon, it is one of the most cultivated types of melon in East Asia.
Asian melon has an orange tinge and is not as vibrant as the western versions.
japanese melon
The Japanese melon is often referred to as the crown melon and is known for its size.
They are extremely expensive and show the status symbol of people who can afford them.
Japan has an extensive culture of gifts and fruits are generally considered to be the most expensive luxury melons.
Therefore, in Japan these melons are a common choice for gifting the rich.
Japanese cantaloupe is not only valued for its flavor; it is very beautiful too.
Perhaps because of the royal treatment he receives during his cultivation, he justifies the exorbitant prices and the title of ‘king’ attributed to him.
Japanese melons have an exceptionally smooth skin and a perfectly round shape.
They carry a pale yellow and orange flesh.
melon power
Galia melon originates from Israel and extremely popular in Southeast Asia, and known locally as Sarda, it is often debated that it is a melon and not a melon.
Galia has sweet, pale yellow or green flesh, is a hybrid melon and is not as large in size as European and North American melons and is mostly eaten fresh.
Galia melons are succulent and have a wide variety of minerals, vitamins and flavonoids .
They also contain low calories and no fat, which makes them a popular after-dinner fruit in South Asian countries.
french melon
The French melon originates from the Poitou-Charentes region of western France.
It is considered one of the best melon variants ever produced, superior to its counterparts in terms of taste, aroma and texture. In addition, it is smaller than most melons and is hardly the size of a grapefruit , weighing only 2kg on average.
The exterior is a smooth, stony creamy gray with faded green streaks, and the flesh is a bright, dense salmon orange. In addition, the fruit is tasty, high in sugar and extremely fragrant.
crenshaw melon
Crenshaw Melons are nicknamed the “Cadillac of Melons” because of the superior flavor they pack.
This type of melon has a yellow rind, with a waxy touch and is known to be one of the sweetest melons out there.
Packed with Vitamin A , Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C , it is a common ingredient in fruit salads.
common melon
The common melon is the best known of all, as this type of melon is widely consumed and sold in fruit stores.
They contain 90% water, which means they are good for rehydration and are a good source of vitamin C.