Detailed Information About Crenshaw Melons

Did You Know?
Crenshaw melons are available in two varieties, i.e., golden and white. The golden variety is famous in California, whereas, the white one is popularly grown in Europe and Chile. The golden variety of this melon is the most preferred one, all over the world.

A Crenshaw melon is dubbed as the "Cadillac of Melons". It is a hybrid of casaba melon and Persian melon. The parent melons of Crenshaw belong to Turkey and Iran. Crenshaw melons are widely cultivated in temperate and warm climates. The peak season to cultivate these melons is from July to September.

Owing to their delicacy, it's a task to handle and transport these melons, therefore, these are not shipped excessively. These melons are extensively cultivated in the Mediterranean and also in many parts of America.

The waxy rind of a Crenshaw melon is characterized by golden-yellow color, along with green dots. The sweet flesh within the melon is juicy and has a pinkish-orange tone to it. When ripe, it weighs about 6 to 10 pounds.

When compared to a honeydew, this melon has a smaller seed pocket and is more pulpy. But the quantity of seeds is much more in a Crenshaw melon than in a honey dew. When it comes to flavor, some people perceive it to be similar to a cantaloupe. It has a sweet and slightly spicy taste.

When these melons are perfectly ripe, they become heavy and will have a rich golden-yellow color on their rinds. The heaviness is because of the juicy water content in them, so the heavier they are, the more juicy will they be! You can also tap the rind to check for ripeness, if you hear a hollow thumping noise, it indicates ripeness, and you can buy it.

Don' go for melons which greenish in color, they are not ripe, hence not sweet. Many people believe that Crenshaw melons should be avoided if there have dark spots or molds on their rinds. But the rinds don't allow the mold to enter into the pulp of the fruit. So you can scrap the mold off and check if it has entered the pulp, if not, you can eat it.

• A Crenshaw melon has ample Vitamin B6 in it. This vitamin is known to help in preventing lung cancer. Low levels of Vitamin B6 can lead to diabetes, obesity, and oxidative stress. So, if you include this melon in your diet, these health complaints can be prevented.

• This melon is also a good source of the anti-coagulant, adenosine. Anticoagulants help in preventing heart strokes.

• It is also rich in potassium and minerals. Sufficient intake of potassium can help in avoiding blood pressure disorders. If you are fond of high-sodium foods, then you must include this melon in your diet. Crenshaw melon, to a large extent, cuts out the effects of high-sodium foods.

• The human body needs citrulline to make arginine. Arginine is an amino acid which helps to heal wounds at a faster rate and also improve the immune system. Citrulline can be obtained from Crenshaw melons.
• Due to the goodness of B vitamins in this melon, adding it in your daily diet, will make you more energetic and healthy.

• The amount of Vitamin C in this melon will improve the development of bones, skin, and tissues. It also helps in hydrating the skin. Therefore, this melon proves to be beneficial for people with dry skin.

• Crenshaw melons are high in water content and fibers, which help in stimulating peristalsis and improve the digestive transit.
• These melons are high in antioxidants and due to their low-fat and cholesterol-free composition, help to lose weight.

• If the melons are too ripe, you can refrigerate them. But make sure that you consume them within 3 to 4 days.
• You must also keep in mind that refrigeration dehydrates the melon. Therefore, it is recommended to eat it fresh.

• If you have picked an unripe melon, keep it at room temperature for at least 3 days, till it ripens. Nevertheless, its sugar content will not increase much.
• Storing unripe melons with ethylene-producing fruits, will speed up its ripening process.

• Many people are unsure about how to consume a Crenshaw melon. Take a knife and simply cut the melon in half, as you would do to a watermelon, or any other melon. Scoop off its seeds and cut off the rind. You can either chop the melon into small slices or scoop out balls using a melon baller.

• Crenshaw melons can be included in salads or juices.
• Wedges of this melon are wrapped in slices of cooked ham, and are had as appetizers.

• In some places, melons which are slightly green are pickled, and are served as side dishes or dips.
• It makes a mouth-watering snack when dipped in mozzarella cheese or sautéed in light spices, lime, and jam.

• Calories - 28
• Total Fat - 0.1 gm
• Cholesterol - 0 mg
• Sodium - 0 mg
• Total Carbohydrates - 6.6 gm
• Dietary Fiber - 0.88 gm
• Sugars - 5.7 gm
• Protein - 1.1 gm

Isn't this like a magical fruit, which provides so many benefits and doesn't really have any negative points? But if you are diabetic, then do consult your physician before including this melon in your diet. Go ahead and experiment with Crenshaw melons by adding them to different dishes.