Properties: Sugar melon
Sugar melons have a relatively thick rind that is marked by green spots and a net-like structure. The flesh is soft and juicy, ranging from greenish-white to yellow. Sugar melons are cylindrical in shape and can reach lengths of up to 40 centimeters with a maximum weight of 1 to 2 kilograms per fruit.
In 100 g of sugar melon, there are 34 kcal, 142 kJ, 0.2 g fat, 0.8 g proteins, and 8 g carbohydrates. They contain Vitamin B1, B2, B6, C, biotin, folic acid. The following minerals are included: 17 mg sodium, 309 mg potassium, 13 mg magnesium, 13 mg calcium, 24 mg phosphorus, 46 µg copper, 9 µg fluorine, 43 µg manganese, 11 mg sulfur.
Origin: Sugar melon
The sugar melon is considered one of the oldest foodstuffs that humans deliberately cultivate. Its origins date back to the year 3000 BC. During this period, sugar melons were first cultivated as nutrient plants. The first crop plants were cultivated in Africa. Today, however, sugar melons are grown almost everywhere in subtropical and tropical regions around the world. Leading in the cultivation of sugar melons today are primarily the countries Spain, Italy, as well as Israel and Turkey.
Uses: Sugar melon
Sugar melons serve as a popular, refreshing snack during the summer months or as an ingredient for fruit salads. Furthermore, they can also be ideally combined with hearty ingredients such as cheese.
Storage: Sugar melon
Sugar melons keep well for much longer when they are hard. A cut fruit remains edible for about 3 days.
Health: Sugar melon
Sugar melons contain large amounts of beta-carotene and numerous minerals that are particularly good for the skin. Thus, they are low-calorie and healthy snacks for in between meals.
Season of Sugar melon: Sugar melons are mainly in season on the Northern Hemisphere from June to October, thus they are typical summer fruits. Sugar melons grown on the Southern Hemisphere, however, are in season from December to May. Since sugar melons are cultivated almost everywhere in the world and accordingly imported, they are generally available year-round in retail stores.
Sugar melon taste: fruity, automatically, sweet
Sugar melon is the overarching term for various types of melons. Altogether over 500 different varieties are, for example, permitted for cultivation within the European Union. Sugar melons are further divided into three varieties: netted melons, cantaloupe melons, and smooth melons. The most well-known sugar melon is probably the Galia melon, a type of netted melon. It has a characteristically sweet taste.
Diversity, Appearance, Taste, and Usage
Sugar melons come in many varieties. Currently, about 500 varieties are permitted for cultivation and trade within the EU. They are divided into three groups: netted melons, smooth melons, and cantaloupe melons (these owe their name to the village of Cantalupo. It is considered the ancient provable origin of this type of sugar melon.)
Sugar Melon - The Galia Melon
Galia melon (the most well-known from the group of netted melons) has a yellow surface with green spots arranged in a net-like pattern. The flesh is green-white from outside to inside and when sufficiently ripe, the fruit flesh is soft and juicy. The seeds are arranged in the center, have a beige color, and appear gelatinously enveloped. The average weight is around 0.5-2 kg. It is mainly used as a dessert melon, e.g., for ice cream, creams, or other sweet dishes.
Sugar Melon - The Honeydew Melon
Honeydew melon (the most well-known from the smooth sugar melons) has an oval shape, yellow, smooth surface with slight longitudinal grooves. The flesh is like that of the Galia melon white and when perfectly ripe soft and very sweet. The seeds are arranged only in the interior similar to the Galia melon and appear gelatinously enveloped. This melon is also often used as a dessert melon. However, it also has a popular place on cold buffets, e.g., combined with Serrano ham.
Sugar Melon - The Cantaloupe Melons
The appearance of cantaloupe melons varies greatly and can therefore easily be confused with a netted melon or a smooth variety. It resembles small pumpkin varieties depending on the variety. The taste ranges from sweet to watery and flavor-neutral. Usage varies from desserts over buffets or desserts, but also meat dishes and soups. The flesh is orange to yellowish according to ripeness degree and somewhat firmer than that of netted melons or smooth varieties. The seeds are similar in appearance and arrangement to those of the netted or smooth melons.