Cucumis Metuliferus is orange-colored fruit naturally found in Africa which is now cultivated in Newzealand, Australia, Kenya, New Zealand, France, and Israel. Other common names include jelly melon, métulon (France), and the trademarked names Kiwano (New Zealand), Horn Gurke (German), and Melano (Israel)
Horned melon is a cucumber family fruit juicy, emerald-green, jellylike flesh. Some of the common names of this semi-arid, yellow-orange, oblong-shaped fruit are kiwano, melano, African horned cucumber, jelly melon, hedged gourd, horned melon, etc.
Facts about Horned Melon (Kiwano Melon)
| Name | Horned Melon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Scientific Name | Cucumis metuliferus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common/English Name | African cucumber, African horned cucumber, African horned melon, Bitter wild cucumber, Blowfish fruit, English tomato, Hedged gourd, Horned cucumber, Horned gourd, Horned melon, Horny cucumber, Jelly melon, Kiwano, Melano, Metulon, Spiked pears, Spiny cucumber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name in Other Languages | Metulon (French), Rooi-agurkie, Rooikomkommer (Afr.), Mokapana (Tswana)
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| History and origin | Kiwano grows naturally in the tropical and subtropical sub-Saharan regions of Africa, stretching from Senegal to Somalia and South Africa. It has also been found in Yemen. Now It is primarily cultivated in California, Mississippi, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand, where it was introduced in the 1930s. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fruit shape & size | Similar size in shape to medium papaya or large pear, slightly oval in shape. It has horn-like spines, hence the name became “horned melon”
Normal size is about 8-10 cm long and 4-5 cm in diameter |
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| Fruit weight | About 209g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fruit color |
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| Flesh color | Juicy, green, and translucent and contains a lot of seeds covered in a gelatin-like substance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fruit peel | Fruit peel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flavor/aroma | Tart flavor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fruit Taste | sweet and tart Its taste has been compared to a combination of cucumber and zucchini or a combination of banana, cucumber, and lemon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Season | Available during the summer season | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Major Nutritions | Vitamin C (13.67%), Vitamin B6 (11.31%), Zinc (10.18%), Vitamin B5 (8.52%), Vitamin B3 (8.23%), Potassium (6.11%), Copper (5.22%), Thaimin (4.83%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calories in 1cup (233 gm) | 103 Kcal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It is said that |
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| Precautions |
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| How to Eat |
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Horned melon Scientific Classification
Scientific Name: Cucumis metuliferus
| Rank | Scientific Name & (Common Name) |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae (Plants) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta (Vascular plants) |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta (Seed plants) |
| Division | Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons) |
| Subclass | Dilleniidae |
| Order | Violales |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber family) |
| Genus | Cucumis L. (Melon) |
| Species | Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey. ex Naud. (African horned cucumber) |
| Synonyms |
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Nutritional Value
| Principle | Nutrient Value | % of RDA |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 44 Kcal | 2.2% |
| Carbohydrates | 7.56 g | 5.8% |
| Protein | 1.78 g | 3% |
| Total Fat | 1.26 g | 6% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 3 μg | <1% |
| Niacin | 0.565 mg | 3.5% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.183 mg | 3.5% |
| Pyridoxine | 0.063 mg | 5% |
| Riboflavin | 0.015 mg | 1% |
| Thiamin | 0.025 mg | 2% |
| Vitamin-A | 147 IU | 5% |
| Vitamin-C | 5.3 mg | 9% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 2 mg | <1% |
| Potassium | 123 mg | 2.6% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 13 mg | 1.3% |
| Copper | 0.020 mg | 2.5% |
| Iron | 1.13 mg | 14% |
| Magnesium | 40 mg | 10% |
| Manganese | 0.039 mg | 1.5% |
| Phosphorus | 37 mg | 5% |
| Zinc | 0.48 mg | 4% |
Health benefits of Horned melon (kiwano)
- Horned melons are low-calorie fruits. 100 grams of fresh fruit composes just 44 calories. Nonetheless, this tropical melon is endowed with health benefiting phytonutrients, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
- The antioxidants present in Kiwanis have scientifically proven to be anti-inflammatory, skin-protective, and may help prevent cancers.
- Fresh melons carry a good amount of phenolic compounds such as β-carotene, and zeaxanthin.
- Zeaxanthin helps protect the retina from the “age-related macular related macular disease” (ARMD) by filtering harmful ultra-violet rays, especially in older adults.
- Further, kiwano carries 143 IU/100 g of vitamin-A. Together with pigment compounds, vitamin A plays an antioxidant and takes part in night-vision, maintenance of healthy mucosa and skin, and bones. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids is known to help protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
- Fresh kiwano fruit contains 5.3 mg (9% of DV) of vitamin C. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals.
- Fresh Horned melon is a modest source of potassium and other electrolytes. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure caused by sodium.
- 100 g of fresh fruit provides 1.1.3 mg (14% DV) of iron and 40 mg (10% DV) of magnesium. It is also a good source of minerals like phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and other trace elements.
- Further, they carry average levels of vital B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, niacin, folic acid, riboflavin, and pantothenic acids.
Selection and storage
Fresh kiwano can be found year-round in some African regions of Malawi and Nigeria. In the US markets, however, their availability is still limited to big cities supermarkets.
Buy firm these melons with deep, bright yellow-orange skin and intact horns over the surface.
Avoid soft, and those with blemishes or soft spots on the skin. Kiwano, like bananas, is rare fruit that are susceptible to chill injuries.
Kiwanis have a very long shelf life and store well when kept in a cool, dry place for up to 3-6 months. Do not refrigerate.
Take care while handling sharply spiked melons as they may inflict stabbing injury on hands.
Preparation and serving methods
At home, wash the fruit in cold running water and mop dry using a soft towel. To prepare, trim away top calyx and tips. Using a paring knife, cut the fruit in half lengthwise. Scoop seed-filled juicy pulp using a spoon. You can also cut it into slices or wedges to eat like a melon.
Serving methods:
Kiwano as is quite unappetizing because of its bland, neutral taste. Sprinkle some sugar, if desired.
Strain the fruit pulp for juice and spoon over ice cream or fruit salads as you do in passion fruit.
Safety profile
Being a member of cucurbitaceae, horned melons (Kiwanis) may compose triterpenoid compounds, particularly cucurbitacin-B. It may cause gastrointestinal disturbances like stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. stomach pain may be self-limiting.
Taste a spoonful of juicy pulp before eating the whole fruit to ensure that it is not from a bitter stock. If found; the whole fruit should be discarded.
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