Come summer the market is stacked with this yellow-coloured fruit with an alluring sweetness and luring aroma. As we get pulled towards the Cucumis melo, as it is called in farming lingo, we know we are in for a refreshing snack of fruits. Belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family muskmelon, also referred to as ‘sweet melon,’ having earned that name from its sweet-strong musky smell. The melon is an annual fruit and grows best in warm climates with warm, well-fertilized soil. Good drainage with soil rich in nutrients is needed. Interestingly, while you can eat the flesh, the seeds too can be roasted and eaten. Muskmelon has cosmetic uses too.
Nutritive value
Containing 90% water, muskmelons are rich in nutrients that are important for healthy body functioning. Apart from keeping the body hydrated, the vitamins in melons boost our immunity, keep our gut healthy (fibre and water content in melons), combat stress and also keep our cardiovascular health brimming with vibrancy. The potassium helps keep blood pressure in control helping cardiovascular health.
Besides, vitamin A in this fruit improves our eye health decreasing the chances of cataracts by about 40%.
Melons help when reducing weight and prevent diabetic nephropathy. As it is low in GI, this fruit is safe for those suffering from diabetes and obesity.
Great for skin and hair
Don’t we all aspire to have lustrous hair and glowing skin? One of the highlights of muskmelon is that it helps us in achieving these beauty goals. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants this fruit keeps our skin looking radiant. It is also rich in collagen which keeps the tissues of our skin firm and hinders withering (delays wrinkles). The A-vitamin in the fruit is known to stimulate sebum production that keeps hair healthy. Applying muskmelon pulp to your scalp can help boost hair health.
Glow with melon
Let us see what makes muskmelon an elixir for our beauty. The combination of various vitamins, essential minerals and bio-compounds revives the skin and makes our complexion glow.
The huge amount of water content hydrates us and plumps up our skin.
Vitamins A, C and folic acid combat oxidative stress and trigger cell regeneration. Over time, this improves skin texture and reduces signs of wrinkling.
Mask with musk
Muskmelon is known to treat various skin conditions like eczema and such. Muskmelons are noted to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. This fights germs and other skin bacteria, treats burn, abrasions, and cuts soothing fragile skin.
Muskmelon makes excellent and calming exfoliators. The masks make the skin supple and soothe chapped lips too.
DIY masks for skin
For hydration and rejuvenation: Mix oatmeal with melon puree and apply it to your skin. Use the back of a big spoon to apply the mask on the face. Wait till the mask is semi-dry and then wash it off.
For regeneration and anti-ageing: Mix orange juice with melon puree and apply it to your skin. Use the back of a big spoon to apply on the face. Wait till the mask is semi-dry and then wash it off.
For oily skin and to treat other skin conditions: Add lemon juice and some besan to your puree. Apply, wait till semi-dry and then wash it off. The mask will not just remove dirt, it will also tackle pimples, and acne and lower any skin inflammation. After washing follow it up with a toner.
For dry skin and chapped lips: Add milk powder or petroleum jelly (if it is for your dry lips) to your melon puree. Apply, wait till semi-dry and then wash it off. Follow it up with a moisturizer.
The green outer skin/ rind of the watermelon has been known to help calm irritated skin suffering from redness and inflammation.
Beautify your hair
Muskmelon skin can benefit the hair too. Inositol is a bio-compound found in melons and citrus fruits. It regulates the daily loss of hair. This compound in melons hinders hair loss and promotes hair growth.
Melons also work as good hair conditioners. They keep the scalp healthy and clean and hair shiny.
This fruit strengthens hair follicles which makes our hair less prone to breakages. So bye-bye to split ends.
Melon mask for hair
Add some rose water to the melon puree. Apply it on wet hair. Apply, wait till semi-dry and then wash it off. Do this routine at least 2-3 times a week.
To combat hair loss, add coconut oil to the puree before using it.
Add mashed banana or dahi to the puree to use it as a hair conditioner.
Here are the different types of muskmelon we have on our rack
Gayatri
It is a small-sized melon with smooth skin. The outer skin is hard, greenish-grey with deep green stripes. The flesh is deep orange, thick, smooth and sweet similar to that of a cantaloupe. When ripe it gives out a strong floral and tropical fruit fragrance. It is a good source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fibre. These muskmelons have cooling properties. Apart from the known benefits it also cures constipation, bladder infections and fatigue.
It is delicious to taste. It is delicate and should not be kept for long. It is best eaten fresh like in fruit salads, custard, milkshakes or juices.
Striped Muskmelon
Striped muskmelons have a distinct yellow skin with green ribbing on the surface. Their flesh is orange-coloured, sweet with a floral aroma. These muskmelons are directly procured from our farmers.
It contains folic acid, which is essential for pregnant women to prevent natural defects in the foetus and is abundantly present in musk melon.
Apart from the conventional ways of eating a muskmelon, you can wash, dry and roast the seeds to make a crispy, healthy snack. Spread these seeds on slices of bread, buns and sandwiches.
Honeydew
The most versatile melon is both sweet and succulent. This round fruit has a net-like subtle yellow-cream-coloured skin which is matched well with greenish flesh. It has a hollow cavity in the centre which is packed with small seeds. It is an outstanding source of Vitamin A and includes moderate levels of B-complex vitamins, such as vitamin C, B3 & B6, and minerals like potassium & manganese. It is low in calories.
Striped Kajari
Kajari Melon has a smooth skin texture. It is hard, brownish with green stripes. The flesh is pista coloured and sweet with a floral aroma. Eating muskmelon seeds gives protection against Type-2 diabetes and kills intestinal worms and also promotes the growth of hair and nails.
Madhumati
It is the most versatile melon around and is aptly named Madhumati as it is both sweet and succulent. It is a round fruit with a net-like texture with greenish cream outer skin with green-tinged flesh. It has a hollow cavity in its centre which is packed with small seeds. This too is an outstanding source of Vitamin A and includes moderate levels of B-complex vitamins, such as vitamin C, B3 & B6, and minerals like potassium & manganese. It is low in calories. Click here to buy:
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