Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is a species of melon that has been developed into many cultivated varieties. These include smooth skinned varieties such as honeydew, crenshaw and casaba, and different netted cultivars (cantaloupe, Persian melon and Santa Claus or Christmas melon). The Armenian cucumber is also a variety of muskmelon, but its shape, taste, and culinary uses more closely resemble those of a cucumber. The large number of cultivars in this species approaches that found in wild cabbage, though morphological variation is not as extensive. It is a fruit of a type called pepo. Muskmelon is native to Persia (Iran), Anatolia, Armenia, and adjacent areas on the west and the east which is believed to be their center of origin and development, with a secondary center including the northwest provinces of India and Afghanistan. Although truly wild forms of C. melo have not been found, several related wild species have been noted in those regions.
Melon fruit contains a lot of water (about 95% of the fruit) also rich in vitamins and minerals, so it has many benefits for our health. From the side of water content, melons can give sense of cool and soothing effect, so it can relieve heartburn and cleanse the kidneys from the remnants of metabolism.
Central Asia is considered the homeland of melon and is thought to have been grown here for more than two thousand years. From ancient Chinese chronicles it is known that in the beginning of some seeds of the melon were brought to China from the banks of the Oxus and the Yaksart (Syr Darya and Amu Darya) along the Great Silk Road.
Melon has been known in Europe since the Roman Empire. Images of melons can be found on frescos within the Vatican. During the Middle Ages melon began to be cultivated in Arabian countries where it was treated with great respect and believed to be a, paradise fruit, brought down to the Earth by an archangel. In the 16th century, firstly the French started cultivation of this plant with the practice then spreading to other European countries including England where farmers used greenhouses to grow melons. In the 17th century Russia adopted the experience. In Moscow, during the reign of the Russian Czar Alexey Mikhailovich, greenhouses were built for the cultivation of melons.
Today in Uzbekistan there are more than 160 varieties of melons with the origin of some being traced back into antiquity. Specialists consider the Khorezmian melons to be the best. In the 14th century the prominent Arabian traveler 'Ibn Battuta' wrote, "No melon can be compared with the Khorezmian ones, except, maybe, for the melons from Bukhara and those from Isfagan. Their skin is green, and the pulp is red; they are very sweet, yet hard".
Each region of Uzbekistan is famous for its own sort of melon. In early June almost every city market has the fast-ripening variety Handalyak. An then a little later - Assate. The honey-like Ich-Kyzyl and Shakar-Palak varieties ripen in July. During August one can enjoy the Bekzod variety and then in September the bazaars are filled with the late-ripening winter varieties of melon which keep their taste qualities untill April -May of the next year. These are the more famous varieties of Gulyabi, Kara-Kaun, Koy-Bash, Umirvaki, Kara-Gyz.
Throughout the winter, melons are preserved according to an old method where they are put into straw or thread net bags and then hung from the ceiling of a special warehouse called a "kaun-khana", or buried in dry sand.
To discuss all the known and reputed properties of the melon would take much time. Firstly, melon is appreciated for its remarkable taste and unique diet characteristics. Aromatic, soft melons are the best for desserts. Juicy, sweet-scented melon pulp contain digestible sugar, starch, proteins, vitamins, cellulose, pectin, organic acids, and various mineral salts. Melon contain a range of iron and potassium salts. It is also believed to be beneficial as a medicinal nourishment for the treatment of anemia, cardiovascular disorder, liver and kidney diseases, gout and rheumatism. Melons also contains a lot of vitamin C. Melons are well used in the region as a remedy to rejuvenate your body. Locals say that the "melon makes your hair bright, eyes young, lips fresh, wishes and desires intense, abilities realizable; it helps men to be desired and women to be beautiful".
As a rule melon is eaten uncooked, in its natural state. But one can also make jam, honey, jam, jellies from melon. It can also be stewed and candied. Dried melon is a delicatessen for adults and a favourite for children. It is worth to mention that Venetian merchant Marco Polo wrote about dried melon in his book "Description of the World", which is an account of his travels along the Great Silk Road. "They (pieces of melon) are preserved as follows: a melon is sliced, just as we do with pumpkin, then these slices are rolled and dried in the sun; and finally they are sent for sale to other countries, where they are in great demand for they are as sweet as honey". These thousand-year-old methods of preserving melon are popular to this very day, and sweet slices of dried melon easily melt in your mouth just as they did in the ancient time.
In Uzbekistan every festive meal cannot do without appetizing slices of melon. Anyone who once tried this aromatic sweet dainty will never forget its delicious taste.
Advantage of Melon
Benefits of melon fruit itself has been tested to treat various types of diseases ranging from mild to chronic diseases. Melons are low in calories, with just 64 calories in a 1-cup serving of honeydew balls and fewer calories in cantaloupe, casaba or watermelon balls. At the same time, melons are high in essential vitamins and minerals. They contain almost no fat or saturated fat, making them an excellent choice for snacks or a side dish.
Melon Nutritional Values is 15.00 mg calcium; 25.00 mg phosphorus, 0.5 mg iron, 34 mg of Vitamin C; 640 mg IU Vitamin A, and 0.03 mg of Vitamin B1. Melon contains an anticoagulant called adenosine so it can stop the clotting of blood cells that can lead to stroke or heart diseases.
Melons are part of the gourd family that includes cucumbers and squashes with the difference that melons are consumed as fruits due to their much sweeter and juicy flavor. There are different types of Melons like:
Watermelon (tarbooz)
Cantaloupe (kharbooja)
Honeydew Melon etc
Melon Health Benefits
Cancer Prevention
Melon fruit contains high carotenoid that this fruit can prevent cancer and reduce the risk of lung cancer. Melon fruit can prevent and kill cancer seeds that will invade our bodies. So try to eat melons, to avoid cancer.
Stroke and heart disease Prevention
Melon contains an anticoagulant called adenosine to stop clotting of blood cells which can lead to stroke or heart diseases. So the melons will help smooth the blood in the body so that a small risk of stroke or heart diseases incidence.
Good for digestion
Melons can launch a bowel movement, when we are experiencing digestive problems then eat melon to be easy and smooth bowel movement. Water content in the melon is very good for digestion. Mineral content is able to eliminate the acidity of the body need to be eliminated because it can interfere with digestion, particularly in the stomach organ.
Maintaining healthy skin
Melon contains collagen, the protein compounds that affect the integrity of the cell structure in all connective tissues such as skin. Collagen also serve For accelerates wound healing and maintain skin firmness. If you often eat melon means the skin will not be rough and dry.
Helps heal kidney disease and eczema.
Melon has a very good diuretic power so that it can help cure kidney disease and severe diseases and acute eczema. If combined with lemon, then a melon can cure gout. So a good idea to consume melons regularly once a day in the morning.
Boost of Energy
Most melons are contain B vitamins. B vitamins are responsible for a lot of your body's energy production (they are necessary for the body to process sugars and carbs). Hence, eating melons can give you substantial energy.
For weight loss
Melons are ideal food for people who want to lose weight because they are low in sodium, fat-free, cholesterol free and low in calories (a whole cup of watermelon contains only 48 calories). They will also make you feel fuller because of the high water content. The natural sweetness found in melons will help you not to be tempted to grab those high calorie sweets.
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