Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe

"Rockmelon" redirects here, for the band see Rockmelons. See also Cantaloupe (disambiguation).

Cantaloupe
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Cucumis
Species: C. melo
Subspecies: C. melo subsp. melo
Variety: C. melo var. cantalupensis
Trinomial name
Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis[1]
Naudin
Synonyms

Cucumis melo var. reticulatus Naudin[1]

Cantaloupe (also cantaloup, mushmelon, muskmelon, rockmelon or spanspek) refers to a variety of Cucumis melo, a species in the family Cucurbitaceae which includes nearly all melons and squashes. Cantaloupes range in size from 0.5 to 5.0 kilograms (1.1 to 11 lb). Originally, cantaloupe referred only to the non-netted orange-fleshed melons of Europe; however, in more recent usage it has come to mean any orange-fleshed melon (C. melo).

Cantaloupes have been linked to listeriosis illness caused by Listeria bacteria[2] that contaminated the fruit while they were being stored and sorted in cold conditions after harvest.[3]

Contents

Cantaloupes by region

The European cantaloupe is lightly ribbed, with a gray-green skin that looks quite different from that of the North American cantaloupe.

Macro photo of the skin of a North American cantaloupe.

The North American cantaloupe, common in the United States, Mexico, and in some parts of Canada, has a net-like (or reticulated) skin covering. It is a round melon with firm, orange, moderately sweet flesh and a thin, reticulated, light-brown rind. Varieties with redder and yellower flesh exist but are not common in the U.S. market.

Cantaloupe or rockmelon from Australia and its cross section
Rockmelons on display in a fruit store

Origin

The cantaloupe originated in India and Africa;[4] and was first cultivated by the Egyptians, followed by the Greeks and Romans.[5]

Production and uses

Cantaloupes on sale in Japan for 2800 yen each (Roughly 33.28 USD - based on currency rates September 2010)

Because they are descended from tropical plants, and tend to require warm temperatures throughout a relatively long growing period, cantaloupes grown in temperate climates are frequently started indoors, and grown indoors for 14 days or longer, before being transplanted outdoors.

Cantaloupes are often picked, and shipped, before fully ripening. Postharvest practices include treatment with a sodium hypochlorite wash to prevent mold growth and Salmonella growth. This treatment, because it can mask the melon's musky aroma, can make it difficult for the purchaser to judge the relative quality of different cantaloupes.

Cantaloupe is normally eaten as a fresh fruit, as a salad, or as a dessert with ice cream or custard. Melon pieces wrapped in prosciutto are a familiar antipasto.

Because the surface of a cantaloupe can contain harmful bacteria—in particular, Salmonella [6]—it is always a good idea to wash a melon thoroughly before cutting and consumption. Only store the fruit for less than three days after cutting to prevent risk of Salmonella or other bacterial pathogens.

A moldy cantaloupe in a Peoria, Illinois market in 1941 was found to contain the best and highest quality penicillin, after a worldwide search.[7]

Nutrition

Cantaloupe melon
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 141 kJ (34 kcal)
Carbohydrates 8.16 g
- Sugars 7.86 g
- Dietary fiber 0.9 g
Fat 0.19 g
Protein 1.84 g
Water 90.15 g
Alcohol 0 mg
Caffeine 0 mg
Vitamin A equiv. 169 μg (21%)
- beta-carotene 2020 μg (19%)
Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.041 mg (4%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.019 mg (2%)
Niacin (vit. B3) 0.734 mg (5%)
Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.105 mg (2%)
Vitamin B6 0.072 mg (6%)
Folate (vit. B9) 21 μg (5%)
Vitamin B12 0.00 μg (0%)
Vitamin C 36.7 mg (44%)
Vitamin E 0.05 mg (0%)
Vitamin K 2.5 μg (2%)
Calcium 9 mg (1%)
Iron 0.21 mg (2%)
Magnesium 12 mg (3%)
Phosphorus 15 mg (2%)
Zinc 0.18 mg (2%)
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Cantaloupes are a source of polyphenol antioxidants, chemicals which were thought to provide certain health benefits to the cardiovascular and immune systems by regulating the formation of nitric oxide,[citation needed] a key chemical in promoting health of the endothelium and prevention of heart attacks. However, recent research has indicated they may overcompensate, as the body already has mechanisms to deal with oxidation.[citation needed]

Cantaloupes also are an excellent source of vitamin C.

Footnotes

See also

  • G.W. Swink, inventor of the cantaloupe crate

References

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • cantaloupe — UK [ˈkæntəluːp] / US [ˈkænt(ə)lˌup] or cantaloup UK / US noun [countable] Word forms cantaloupe : singular cantaloupe plural cantaloupes Word forms cantaloup : singular cantaloup plural cantaloups a large round fruit with a thick grey green skin… …   English dictionary

  • Cantaloupe — Can ta*loupe, n. [F. cantaloup, It. cantalupo, so called from the caste of Cantalupo, in the Marca d Ancona, in Italy, where they were first grown in Europe, from seed said to have been imported from Armenia.] A muskmelon of several varieties,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cantaloupe — 1739, from It. Cantalupo, former Papal summer estate near Rome, where the melons first were grown in Europe after their introduction, supposedly from Armenia. The place name seems to be singing wolf and might refer to a spot where wolves gathered …   Etymology dictionary

  • cantaloupe — ► NOUN ▪ a small round variety of melon with orange flesh and ribbed skin. ORIGIN French cantaloup, from Cantaluppi near Rome …   English terms dictionary

  • cantaloupe — or cantaloup [kant′ə lōp΄] n. [Fr < It cantalupo, after Cantalupo, former papal summer estate, near Rome, where the melon was first grown in Europe] any of various muskmelons; esp., a type of fruit with a hard, rough rind and sweet, juicy,… …   English World dictionary

  • Cantaloupe — Cantaloup Nom vernaculaire ou nom normalisé ambigu : Le terme « Cantaloup (ou Melon cantaloup) » s applique, en français, à plusieurs taxons distincts. Cantaloup …   Wikipédia en Français

  • cantaloupe — /ˈkæntəloʊp/ (say kantuhlohp), /ˈkæntəlup / (say kantuhloohp) noun 1. the edible fruit of the melon Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis, having a hard, usually ribbed and netted rind, and orange coloured flesh; rockmelon. 2. any of several similar… …  

  • cantaloupe — noun 1. a variety of muskmelon vine having fruit with a tan rind and orange flesh • Syn: ↑cantaloup, ↑cantaloupe vine, ↑cantaloup vine, ↑Cucumis melo cantalupensis • Hypernyms: ↑sweet melon, ↑muskmelon, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • cantaloupe — noun /ˈkæn.tə.luːp,ˈkæn.tə.loʊp/ a) A type of melon, Cucumis melo cantalupensis,. Also known as true cantaloupe . b) A type of melon, Cucumis melo reticulatus , with sweet orange flesh and a rough skin resembling netting. Also known as muskmelon… …   Wiktionary

  • cantaloupe — [18] The cantaloupe melon was introduced into Europe from Armenia. The place where the newcomer was first cultivated is said to have been a former summer estate of the popes near Rome called Cantaluppi – whence cantankerous 92 the name. Both the… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”