29 Nutritious Melon Facts You Probably Didn't Know About

It's time to shine a spotlight on a delicious and nutritious summer fruit: melon!

This fruit is a great source of vitamins C, B, and A, and antioxidants, and there are many different types to choose from: melons with red flesh, orange flesh, and white flesh are the most common. They are a tasty as well as a healthy treat!

So, let's learn more facts about this amazing fruit! Read on to learn about the origin of melons, nutritional facts, and their production.

Origin And History Of Melons

Melons mostly originated on the continents of Africa and south-east Asia. There are many different types of melons, but all share some common characteristics, including a sweet taste and watery texture.

Melons were also cultivated by the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks. It has been discovered that Ancient Egyptians have been growing this fruit since 2000 BC!

The Romans later adopted this fruit and its popularity spread throughout Europe. Today, melons are enjoyed all over the world.

Early Europeans have been recorded growing casaba and honeydew melons as far back as the 1600s. After the cultivation of melons spread, they quickly became a staple for farmers everywhere.

They were even among the earliest plants to be taken from the Old World to the New World by European settlers!

Melons have a history with the Spanish settlers as well. The Spanish settlers took over several species of melon, which each New Mexico tribe has cultivated and perfected as their own local species.

Types Of Melons

There are various types of melons, but the most popular ones include watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew. Each type has a unique flavor and texture that sets them apart from each other.

Watermelon is the most well-known type of melon and is characterized by its deep-red flesh and large size. It has a sweet, juicy flavor that is perfect for cooling down on a hot day.

Cantaloupe is another popular type of melon that is known for its round stem and sweet orange flesh. It's often used in fruit salads or as part of a dessert. There are two varieties of this type of melon: the European cantaloupe and North American cantaloupe!

Honeydew is a light-green melon with a mild flavor and a creamy texture. It's a popular choice for snacking or as part of a fruit salad.

Sharlyn melons are mid-way between honeydew and cantaloupes, and they have orange flesh, an orange-green rind, and white netted skin.

Muskmelon is the most flavorful type of melon and has netted skin that can be either green or orange. Its sweet, juicy flesh is perfect for eating on its own or adding to smoothies or other recipes.

Casaba melons are large melons with no aroma and white flesh. They have a sweet flavor which is extremely pleasant.

Nutritional Facts

Melons have an extremely high water content, and are chock-full of minerals and vitamins to keep you healthy!

It contains vitamin B, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and a good amount of fiber. It also has natural antioxidants like beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These help to improve vision and protect the body from free radicals.

The antioxidant properties in melons are said to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart ailments, as well as inflammation.

No matter what your favorite type of melon is, they all have nutritional benefits that are worth taking advantage of. All types of melons are high in water content, which helps to keep you hydrated, and they also contain antioxidants and vitamins that are good for your health.

Production Of Melons

The production of melons is an ancient practice that goes back centuries. It originated in various countries and then spread throughout the world. Melons are classified into two main types: cucurbitaceous and true melons. The most common species grown by people include watermelon, cantaloupe (muskmelon), and gourds.

Melons are grouped under the Cucurbitaceae family which comprises more than 95 genera and 965 species including edible plants like pumpkin and squash., creepers like ivy gourd, and climbing beans such as snake bean or winged beans.

The family also includes shrubs such as the chayote plant; vines with fruits such as bitter gourd/balsam pear and cucumber (Cucumis sativus); annuals like watermelon, muskmelon, or cantaloupe, and perennials such as the banana squash.

Melons are grown in warm conditions and they require plenty of sunlight to grow well. Melons need soil with a pH between six and seven for ideal growth. While planting melons fertilize the soil with nitrogen-rich fertilizers before sowing them.

The optimum temperature for germination is around 20° C (68° F) but it can vary from species to species depending on their native habitat.

In very cold weather seeds will not sprout until the temperature rises above this level though some melon plants may survive frosty nights if given enough time to develop.

The first watermelon varieties that came from Africa had rinds so thick that people had difficulty cutting them open with knives! However, today’s modern varieties have thinner skins that can be opened easily using a knife.

Watermelons require full sun exposure for at least six hours per day when growing until about two weeks after flowering begins; this ensures good fruit without any pollination problems like a lack of male flowers.

In the tropics, farmers prefer to grow muskmelons and cantaloupes because they mature faster (within 60 - 70 days) than watermelons.

The major producers of muskmelon are India, China, Turkey, and Iran while that of cantaloupe is concentrated in the United States, Brazil, Spain, and Italy.

In cooler climates, where watermelon cannot be grown successfully due to insufficient heat during the summer months, countries import most of their requirements from warmer parts of the world.

However, in recent years, with the increase in global temperatures, there has been an expansion in acreage for growing watermelons even at high latitudes such as Poland and Hungary.

Other Miscellaneous Facts

The most expensive melons are found in Japan, and are known as Yubari King Melons, and are only grown in Yubari in Hokkaido. They can cost more than $10,000 each!

Farmers in Japan even grow square-shaped watermelons using special techniques. These watermelons are much easier to store in the fridge and can be cut easily. They are also experimenting with other shapes like hearts, stars, and more!

Melons belong to the family of squash and cucumbers, the gourd family Cucurbits, which is not surprising, as all these fruits are extremely high in water content.

Dried seeds of the melon are seasoned and eaten as a snack in the Middle East, Africa, India, and China.

The melon is also an extremely important part of Chinese medicine, with all parts including the root, seeds, stem, and skin being used!

Melon FAQs

Why is melon called melon?

The name melon comes from 'melopepo', the Latin word for melon.

Where did melons originally come from?

Melons originated in Asia and Africa.

How many types of melon are there in the world?

There are around 40 species of melons known to us today.

Where do melons grow?

Melons can be grown in warm regions all around the world.

Is melon a tropical fruit?

Yes, melons are considered tropical fruits.

How long does it take for a melon to grow?

It takes melons between three to four months to fully grow.

How many melons does a plant produce?

Melon plants can grow between two to four melons at a time.

What are the benefits of eating melon?

Melons are extremely low in calories and high in nutrients, such as vitamin C, making them a healthy addition to any diet. They are also naturally sweet and make for a healthy dessert.