Description and selection of the Torpedo melon variety, benefits and harms for the human body

The Torpedo melon has been cultivated in Asia Minor for a long time. Even after many years, it remains attractive for commercial cultivation. This variety has become a hallmark of Uzbekistan for its outstanding flavor and large size, as well as its distinctive rind.

Description of the variety

The variety was developed by Uzbek breeders and given the original name "Mirzachulskaya." In Russia, after testing, it was given the name "Raduzhnaya" (Rainbow) due to its interesting coloring and the roughness of its skin. The Uzbek melon is popularly known as "Torpedo" due to its shape, as it closely resembles a projectile.

Torpedo is distinguished by its high fertility (up to 3 kg per square meter), elongated-oblong shape, and large fruits, growing from 5 to 10 kg, sometimes up to 15 kg. The skin is a rich yellow color, decorated with silver veins along its length.

A late-ripening variety with average resistance to pests and diseases. The melon's flavor is rated 4.5 out of 5; the flesh is juicy, buttery, light yellow, and has a high sugar content. The melon has a vibrant, honey-vanilla aroma.

Melon produces numerous seeds, which have a high germination rate for 2-3 years. Torpedo shoots quickly grow up to 2 meters, producing numerous lateral shoots. Therefore, shoot thinning is necessary to grow a good harvest.

When does it ripen and where does it grow?

The ripening season begins no earlier than three months after planting, by the end of August. This variety grows in Asia Minor and on most farms in Russia's southern and central regions. It is also grown in European countries with warm climates.

In Asia Minor, the fruits reach maximum sizes of up to 1.5 meters in length. In Russia and Europe, the melons grown weigh no more than 7-8 kg. This variety is used by farmers for commercial cultivation due to its good shelf life and excellent transportability. Technical ripening occurs no earlier than after 60 days.

Chemical composition and nutritional value of Torpedo melon

All melon varieties have excellent nutritional value, containing many vitamins, micro- and macronutrients essential for improving health and providing it with beneficial nutrients. The amount of nutrients may vary slightly depending on the ripeness of the melon.

Substances	Quantity per 100 g of product
Kcal	36
Water	Up to 90 g
Squirrels	0.5-0.7 g
Fats	0.3 g
Carbohydrates	7-7.5 g
Dietary fiber	0.8 g
Organic acids	0.2 g
Fructose	Up to 2 g
Glucose	0.9-1.1 g
Sucrose	5.9 g
Saturated fatty acids	0.1-0.2 g
PUFAs	0.05 g

Melon pulp also contains vitamins A, B vitamins (B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9), C, E, and PP. Melon is a unique fruit that contains many beneficial elements: calcium, potassium, silicon, manganese, magnesium, sodium, zinc, fluorine, chromium, iron, iodine, and selenium. This amount of nutrients in melon allows you to saturate the body without taking additional vitamin complexes.

Average weight and how much water is in a fruit?

In its native land, the average melon weighs up to 8 kg, thanks to the favorable climate, which allows seeds to be planted directly in open ground in April-May. In Russia and European countries, melons average 4-5 kg ​​and are smaller.

The beneficial properties of the variety for human health

The amount of vitamins and nutrients found in the "sunny fruit" of melon can meet or exceed the daily requirement for some elements, including silicon and vitamin C. These nutrients can improve cellular function, activate and strengthen the immune system, prevent colds and viral infections, and have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. They also improve blood composition and stimulate collagen production.

For a man

Men can consume not only the pulp of the Torpedo melon, but also the seeds and rind. The seeds are beneficial due to their aphrodisiac properties, which influence the production of male hormones and increase potency. Thanks to their fiber content, the ash helps improve bowel function, which is especially important for men with a sedentary lifestyle (such as office workers or drivers).

The pulp contains substances that affect the functioning of the kidneys and genitourinary system, as well as a large volume of water (up to 90%), allowing the removal of excess fluid and sand.

For a woman

100 grams of pulp contains over 4% of the daily value of folate, 23% of silicon, and 57% of cobalt. Combined, these nutrients help a woman carry and deliver a healthy baby. Vitamin A, which provides 22% of the daily value, improves vision, which is especially important for those who constantly do paperwork and spend long periods of time sitting in front of a computer screen.

Why might it taste bitter?

A torpedo may taste bitter for several reasons:

• often fed with nitrates and stimulants to speed up ripening;
• cultivation took place in violation of agricultural practices;
• The growing zone also influences the taste: the colder the region, the longer it takes for the sun-loving Torpedo to ripen;
• diseases;
• improper storage.

Bitter melon can also be caused by insufficient sun or overwatering.

How to choose a Torpedo melon

Choosing the right melon will allow you to enjoy its excellent taste. When choosing, consider the following criteria:

• the skin should be yellow with small stripes;
• the stalk must be completely dry;
• There should be no additional spots on the fruit.

A person holding a ripe melon should feel a firm texture, but not hard, as is the case with unripe crops.

How to determine ripeness

To determine ripeness and avoid picking unripe fruit, it is necessary to take into account the following features:

• the skin should be a uniform yellow color;
• when cut, the flesh should be white and soft in consistency;
• when tapping on the fruit, a dull sound occurs;
• the melon should have a pleasant aroma;
• If you run your fingernail along the peel, it comes off easily.

The fruit has a brightly colored skin and a pleasant aroma that spreads over a long distance.

Does melon ripen at home?

If the melon is green, carefully place it in a sunny spot to ripen further. This fruit may ripen, but its flavor will be diminished. If you can't place it in a sunny spot, it won't ripen at home. The time of day the melon was picked can also affect ripening.

How long and how can it be stored?

Melon can be stored for up to a week in a well-ventilated area. If longer storage is needed, place the fruit in the refrigerator's vegetable drawer, where it will keep for up to two weeks.

Uses of melon

Melon is a popular food distinguished not only by its taste but also by its beneficial properties. The fruit is used in a variety of applications, including cosmetology.

Cooking

Torpedo is used as a dessert raw, but it can also be used to make smoothies, cocktails, cake creams, ice cream, salads, juice, wine, and much more. The pulp is juicy and has a pleasant flavor, making it a great addition to a variety of dishes.

Weight loss and treatment

Torpedo is high in fiber, which is essential for weight loss. Fiber curbs appetite and flushes waste and toxins from the body, boosting metabolism and activating weight loss.

The product can also be used for the following diseases:

• atherosclerosis;
• tuberculosis;
• arrhythmia;
• ischemia.

People experiencing prolonged stress are also recommended to consume the product to provide the body with additional energy.

Use in cosmetology

Torpedo is often used as a base for cosmetic procedures. Regular use of the product allows you to achieve the following results:

• prevention of skin aging and removal of age wrinkles;
• removal of inflammatory formations on the skin;
• nutrition of the epidermis;
• activation of natural collagen production by epidermal cells;
• moisturizing the skin and eliminating dryness.

The extract is included in many cosmetic products. Not only the pulp is used; the seeds also have beneficial properties. At home, you can use complex melon masks, applied to the skin for 20 minutes and then removed with warm water.

Harm and contraindications

Despite Torpedo's many beneficial properties, it's important to consider its potential harm to the body. The product has the following contraindications:

• diabetes mellitus, as the product contains a large amount of sugar;
• peptic ulcer of the digestive system;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease.

Incorrect use of this product may cause harm and adverse health effects. Harmful effects may also occur if the product is consumed unripe, in which case symptoms of poisoning may occur. This product should also not be consumed by breastfeeding mothers or children under one year of age.

Torpedo melon is distinguished by its delicious flavor and beneficial properties. Gardeners recommend growing it yourself, as store-bought melons often contain high levels of pesticides and are stored in unsuitable conditions.

After purchasing the product at the market, it is necessary to carefully inspect it for rot and damage when cutting; it is not recommended to consume spoiled products.