CantaloupePosted 10 years ago under Uncategorized

Cantaloupes are a sweet, juicy treat that provide a lot of nutritional benefit. In addition to anti-inflammatory properties, cantaloupes in concentrated form can help reduce stress and fatigue. (1) Surprisingly, they are a great source of vitamin C with a higher concentration than grapefruit. (2) Typically eaten raw, they’re also enjoyable as a chilled soup when mixed with kiwi fruit to create a powerful source of nutrients when combined together. (3)

Taxonomy

The cantaloupe is the cantalupensis variety of the cucumis melo species.

Kingdom (Plantae) → Angiosperms → Eudicots → Rosids → Order (Curcurbitales) → Family (Cucurbitaceae) → Genus (Cucumis) → Species (Cucumis melo) → Subspecies (Cucumis melo subsp. melo) → Variety (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis)

Description

The cantaloupe is a melon that grows on vines. The stems can curl up and grow up to ten feet or so length. The flowers are white or yellow and the fruit has a greyish-green outer rind with a web-like appearance. A cantaloupe can weigh anywhere from one to as large as ten pounds. The inner edible flesh is orange and the middle is filled with seeds. (4)

Distribution

Cantaloupes originally were cultivated in Iran, India, and Africa but have spread around the world. The variety popular in America, more accurately known as a muskmelon, grows in Mexico, America, and some parts of Canada. (5)

Nutritional Information

Cantaloupes are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are especially good sources of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, copper, magnesium, and B vitamins. (6) They also have antioxidants in them. The nutrients in cantaloupes have anti-inflammatory properties as well. (7)

Commercial Cultivation

Cantaloupes grow best in sandy, slightly acidic soil with full sun. They have a long growing season and do not tolerate cold. Cantaloupes grow easily from seed and produce fruit within the first season of planting, taking around 70-90 days to produce fruit. (8)

Diseases, Pests, Predators

Cantaloupes are susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests that are common to vine plants, including aphids, cucumber beetles, squash vine borer moths, and fusarium wilt. (9)

Sources

(1) http://www.naturalnews.com/027266_stress_melons_natural.html
(2) http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/vitamin-c-packed-fruits-and-vegetables/
(3) http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/6-antioxidant-rich-foods-for-good-health/
(4) http://www.botanical-online.com/english/melon.htm
(5) http://www.botanical-online.com/english/melon.htm
(6) http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/vitamin-c-packed-fruits-and-vegetables/
(7) http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=17
(8) http://www.almanac.com/plant/cantaloupe
(9) http://www.almanac.com/plant/cantaloupe