The sugar melon belongs to the cucurbit family. In botany, the fruit is called a berry and is mainly used as a fruit. The name results from the fairly high fructose content, which ensures that they taste very sweet. The water content of sugar melon is slightly lower compared to watermelon.
This is what you should know about the sugar melon.
The sugar melon belongs to the cucurbit family. In botany, the fruit is called a berry and is mainly used as a fruit. The home of the sugar melon is believed to be in tropical as well as subtropical West Africa. It has been cultivated in Egypt for at least 4000 years. Nowadays, the sugar melon is cultivated worldwide in temperate climates, but also in dry and hot tropical regions. Under the generic term gather about 500 different varieties of melons, which differ in size, appearance and taste. However, the cavity inside and the seeds, which are located in the center of the fruit, are always typical, whereas in watermelon they are distributed over the entire flesh. Depending on the variety, the sugar melon is round to elongated. The skin of the fruit can be ribbed, smooth, netting or partially warty. The color is either whitish, light green or greenish-yellow. When fully ripe, it then turns yellow, orange-yellow or pink. The sweet flesh is usually aromatic, white, yellowish, yellow-orange, orange to greenish. The sugar melon, which is available in Germany, usually has a weight of up to six kilograms. The sugar melon is available all year round.
Importance for health
The sugar melon not only tastes good, but it is also extremely healthy, because it contains important ingredients. It has a vitalizing effect on the body, strengthens blood formation and improves protein utilization. Especially in summer, the sugar melon is a delicious and healthy thirst quencher. Thanks to its high provitamin A content, it supports vision and cell growth. Beta-carotene protects against free radicals and harmful UV radiation. It positively influences cell aging, skin and hair. The contained vitamin C strengthens the immune system, serves as a mood booster and improves concentration. The potassium content in the sugar melon has a dehydrating effect. Thus, the sugar melon also has a cleansing effect on the kidneys. Excess uric acid and salt are flushed from the body. Therefore, consumption is especially recommended for gout and rheumatism. The iron and B vitamins are said to help against hair loss. With the high proportion of fructose, the sugar melon provides some calories and carbohydrates, but with almost 0 grams of fat and the dehydrating effect, it is still a good choice for the figure-conscious.
Ingredients and nutritional values
| Nutritional information |
Amount per 100 grams of cantaloupe melon |
| Calories 34 | Fat content 0.2 g |
| Cholesterol 0 mg |
Sodium 16 mg |
| Potassium 267 mg | Carbohydrates 8 g |
| Dietary fiber 0.9 g |
Protein 0.8 g |
Although sugar melon is not among the top performers in terms of vitamin C content, it is in the good middle range. Other vitamins include E, K and B vitamins. It also scores with a very good content of the important provitamin A. The valuable minerals contained in the sugar melon include potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, chlorine and phosphorus. Also noteworthy is the water content of more than 90 percent, which makes the sugar melon a delicious thirst quencher.
Intolerances and allergies
A nice piece of sugar melon, for many people it is a wonderful refreshment, especially in the summer. But some people suffer from unpleasant consequences after eating it, such as nausea, diarrhea or abdominal cramps. The reason for this is that the absorption of fructose from the intestine into the blood is disturbed. The talk is of a fructose malabsorption.
Shopping and kitchen tips
When buying a sugar melon should pay attention to quality. In particular, the smell is a good sign in terms of ripeness. The fruit should have a pleasant sweet smell. If a sugar melon is overripe, it smells slightly fermented. In addition, the taste changes with overripe fruit, because the sugar melon tastes perfumed in this case.The skin of a ripe sugar melon is evenly colored and also no longer too firm. A small open area forms on the pistil in some varieties, which is also positive. The sugar melon prefers to be stored at room temperature for two to four hours, although it can be refrigerated slightly before eating if necessary. A ripened sugar melon generally tolerates cold better than a fruit that has been freshly harvested. The sugar melon should not be kept in the refrigerator for too long, as it quickly loses its flavor here. Sometimes it also becomes unpleasantly bitter due to the cold. Bought in portions, it does not keep very long. The cuts should be covered with cling film. Ideally, the sugar melon is used up after three days at the latest. A ripe sugar melon is best not stored next to fruits or vegetables that emit the ripening gas ethylene, for example apples, tomatoes, peas and eggplants. With regard to preparation, it is best to cut the sugar melon in half crosswise, as the seeds can then be extracted very easily with a spoon. If you want to enjoy the sugar melon pure, you can either divide it into slices or dice it.
Preparation tips
The sugar melon can be used in many ways and is easy to handle. The flesh can be sliced and enjoyed as a refreshing snack, but it also goes great in a fruit salad, a cottage cheese dish, in cereal or in a punch. Use a spherical cookie cutter to shape it perfectly. It is also popular in smoothies, milkshakes and sorbets. At a party, the pulp is often served with cooked ham. Thus, the sugar melon offers a good and healthy change from the usually heavy meat dishes and, in addition, they provide sufficient water intake. Digestion benefits from this. In a jam, on a cake or a pie they are also a good choice. But melon also goes very well with a crab or chicken salad. Frozen, scoops of sugar melon are an ideal substitute for ice cubes in summer drinks. On hot summer days, a cold melon soup is also perfectly refreshing. It can be prepared Asian with coconut milk and ginger or Mediterranean with cucumber. In general, sugar melon harmonizes very well with poultry, soft cheese, lettuce, mint and white and green pepper. With the sugar melon applies in principle: All is permitted, what tastes good, because it fits not only to sweet dishes. It also adds a refreshing note to savory dishes. However, one thing should always be kept in mind: The seeds of the sugar melon have no place in any dish. They should always be removed first. There are now even various forms that do not contain seeds.
