Melon

As a melon is known especially in subtropical areas of cultivated plants with large, succulent berry fruits. They belong to the gourd family ( Cucurbitaceae ). The German name is derived from the Greek word apple μήλο ( Melo ) '. A distinction is mainly between melons and watermelons.

Melons are not considered in botany as a kinship group, the melons (Cucumis melo ) are more closely related to the cucumber as the watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ).

The fruit is called because of the hard shell as armor berry.

Important melon types

• Muskmelon (Cucumis melo ), with, among other Cantaloupe melons
• Charentais melon
• Galia melon
• Yellow Canary (honey melon)
• Futuro melon ( Piel de sapo (sp) = toad skin )

• Watermelons ( Citrullus lanatus ), about 150 species of
• Nara melon ( Acanthosicyos horridus )

Maturity

Ripe watermelons sound hollow when tapped and dull, give hardly a noise while unripe melons. Although melons ripen at home yet, the already mature on the field melons have the most intense flavor. The sweet smell of the fruit is another feature of maturity. Compared to equally sized immature ripe melons are much heavier.

The underside of the melon that was in contact with the ground, change the tires, the color of white or pale green to slightly yellowish. However, the color of the shell is not a feature of the maturity; to a brownish or even damp stalk but an overripe fruit can be seen.

The maturity of cantaloupes is evident from the number of the green stripes divided sections. There must be at least nine, and beyond, the more subdivisions, the riper the fruit.

When the fruit is immature, it can have a laxative effect.