Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe also canteloupe, cantaloup, mastmelon (India), mushmelon, muskmelon, rockmelon, sweet melon, Persian melon, spanspek refers to a variety of Cucumis melo, a species in the family Cucurbitaceae. Cantaloupes range in size from 500 g to 5 kg. 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 . Cantaloupe is the most popular variety of melon in the United States.

Cantaloupes best grow during the summer months. In the store, try to buy organically grown muskmelons since they are richer in taste as well as in nutrients. 

Wonderfully delicious with rich flavor, muskmelons are very low in calories (100 g fruit has just 34 calories) and fats. Nonetheless, the fruit is rich in numerous health promoting poly-phenolic plant derived compounds, vitamins, and minerals that are absolute for optimum health.

Here are some serving tips:

1. Fresh cantaloupe should be eaten as it is without any additions in order to experience its delicious, natural taste.

2. The fruit sections are a great addition to fruit salad.

3. Jam, sorbet, and juice , smoothie are some nutritious and delicious items you can prepare with muskmelon.

4. Cantaloupes can be added in the desserts, with ice-cream (also see ), or custard.

Selection and Storage

1. It should feel heavy for its size.

 

2. Next, tap on the cantaloupe and listen to the sound it makes. If the sound is dull and also deep, that's another indication that you're holding a ripe cantaloupe. But if the sound is higher and hollow, your cantaloupe is probably not ripe.

3. If you press gently on the top of a ripe cantaloupe with your thumb, you should feel it give way very slightly. If that spot gives way substantially, to the point of feeling genuinely soft or even squishy, the cantaloupe is probably overripe. A quick check around different areas of the cantaloupe is also a good idea at this point so you can make sure that there is no bruising or damage.

4. The appearance of a ripe versus unripe cantaloupe is also different. The rind of a ripe cantaloupe is typically going to be cream-colored or yellow or golden but not green or gray. The rind of an unripe cantaloupe is more likely to contain some green or gray. 

5. Smelling the bottom of the cantaloupe can also be helpful in determining its ripeness.Unripe cantaloupes are likely to have a very faint smell, or no smell at all. Ripe cantaloupes are likely to have that spectacular cantaloupe aroma—but not in an overpowering way. If the fragrance is overly strong, the cantaloupe may be overripe.

6. Once you've found a cantaloupe that gives every indication of being optimally ripe, your next decisions will involve storage. When you get home, place your optimally ripe cantaloupe immediately in the refrigerator, ideally in a crisper bin where there is usually slightly higher humidity. 

Nutritions

The fruit also contains moderate levels of B-complex vitamins and great Source of Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene,  Vitamin C. 

Health Benefits of Cantaloupe 

1. Age-related macular degeneration

The antioxidant zeaxanthin, found in cantaloupe, filters out harmful blue light rays and is thought to play a protective role in eye health and possibly ward off damage from macular degeneration. A higher intake of all fruits has also been shown to decrease the risk of and progression of age-related macular degeneration.

2. Asthma

The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is beta-carotene, found in yellow and orange fruits like cantaloupe, pumpkin, carrots and leafy greens like spinach and kale. Vitamin C is another important nutrient that may protect against asthma and is found in abundance in cantaloupe,2 as well as citrus and tropical fruits.

3. Blood pressure

The fiber, potassium, vitamin C and choline content in cantaloupe all support heart health. Consuming foods that are high in potassium can help to decrease blood pressure.

4. Cancer

Diets rich in beta-carotene from plant foods like cantaloupe may play a protective role against prostate cancer.

5. Digestion

Cantaloupe, because it is high in both fiber and moisture, helps to prevent constipation, promote regularity and maintain a healthy digestive tract.

6. Hydration

With its high water and electrolyte content, cantaloupe is a great snack to have on hand during the hot summer months to prevent dehydration.

7. Inflammation

Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in cantaloupe that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.

8. Skin and hair

Eating fruits like cantaloupe are beneficial for your hair because they contain vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum production, which keeps hair moisturized and healthy. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair.

9. Reduces Stress: Cantaloupe might also be an ideal fruit to eat during those times when you are feeling anxious and stressed. Cantaloupe is rich in potassium which normalizes the heartbeat and promotes the supply of oxygen to the brain. As a result, you feel more relaxed and focused.

Read More at Wikipedia.
Recipe using Cantaloupe see Here and Here.
Also see Amaretto, Melon Baller.