Melon PDF Print E-mail
The melon (Cucumis melo) is a herbacious monoic plant with trailing stems. It is a sweet summer berry cultivated for its fruit and its water content.
The plant possesses 30ft hairy stems that grow on ground level. Its leaves are channelled and are shaped in the palm of ones hand.The flowers are yellow and single-sexed.
The shape of the fruit varies from spherical to elliptical. In the so-called banana melons have undulations that make them look like pumpkins. Its size depends on its variety and cultivation  conditions. For this reason there are melons that can weight 400 grams and others may weigh up to 20 Kg. In the most common varieties, the weights are from 500 gr. up to 5kg.
The colour of the skin and pulp varies according to the group. The skin can be white, grey, greenish, or yellow and of a smooth, rough or screen type texture. The pulp is fragrant, with a smooth texture, and can be yellow, green pink and intermediate toned. In the centre there is a cavity containing many seeds covered in a sticky substance.

MelonNumerical Values


Andalusia  contributes  23% of the melons in Spain, which sets it as the second provider in Spain (after La Mancha) but it is first internationally, as the Galia, Honey Dew or Cantaloup varieties predominate upon the “Piel de Sapo” (“Frog skin”) variety.

The Andalusian production is 260,000 tons, of which 175,000 tons come from Almeria. The rest is spread throughout the region with different varieties. The main exportation from Almeria has bet on international markets, and for that reason, have opted for Galia and Honey Dew varieties. The piel de sapo (frog skin) type, a reference point in the Spanish market, doesn’t go over 5% in Almeria.

The rest of the region harvests productions that go from 18,000 tons in Sevilla to the 13,000 tons of Cádiz that include different varieties.

Nutritional Values


Just as the watermelon, it stands but for its high water and sugar and low caloric content. It has a moderate potassium and magnesium level and a low sodium level. It has a moderate amount of B vitamins and is rich in C vitamins.
 
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