Water Melon: Popular Summer Fruit
Water Melon and Musk Melon are the world popular summer fruit. Many varieties of melons of different sizes, colours and tastes are grown in most parts of the country. Melon is particularly popular in the hot , dry regions of Punjab and Rajasthan. The fruits are often cultivated in sandy river beds where any other crop would not normally grow. Melon creepers start bearing fruit within 4- 5 months after seeds are sown. Two crops of melon can be cultivated - one crop in January- February and another crop by June - July. Water Melon is believed to have been a native of tropical Africa. The fruit is known in India as Tarbuz and in Nepal as Kharbuza. In some hilly area the bitter variety of melon is grown. It is because it helps in proper excretion of urine and prevents retention of water. Melon is a good source of pectin - a substance used in the making of jams, jellies and marmalades. It is best eaten up or drunk up in the form of ripe slices, squashes and juice. The inner portion of the dark- coloured Water Melon seeds are dried and eaten. The seeds contain 34 percent protein and 52 percent oil. The oil got by pressing from seeds has a pleasant odour and taste. It is used for some special cooking preparations of for lighting lamps. The seeds as such are considered to have a cooling effect. The seed cake is rich in protein and so makes good cattle feed. The musk melon is different from the Water Melon. Its peel is soft and has a yellowish orange, creamish or green colour. Musk Melon makes a very good ingredient in fruit salads, ice-creams, milk shakes, etc.
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