Melon "Torpedo" is a tasty and healthy agricultural product that ripens by the end of August. It can be eaten both in its natural form and in salads. Masks for hair and skin are prepared from melon: the benefits of such cosmetic procedures undeniable.
Melon "Torpedo" is a tasty and healthy agricultural product that ripens by the end of August
The birthplace of this variety of melon is Uzbekistan, where it is grown by almost everyone who has at least a small piece of land. When the vegetable ripens, inviting aromas soar in the air. The melon has an elongated shape, reminiscent of the projectile of the same name.
This variety is late maturing. From planting to full ripening takes at least 3 months. The Torpedo variety is also grown in Russia, but the hot and dry climate of Uzbekistan allows you to get a more fragrant and sweet vegetable.
Heat is needed to grow gourds. If it is enough, then the ripe fruit can reach a weight of 15 kg. But in Russian climatic conditions, it is rarely possible to grow a melon of this variety weighing more than 5 kg.
Heat is needed to grow gourds
The variety has a very attractive appearance. When ripe, the melon acquires a beautiful yellow color. The fruit is covered with veins of a white shade, intertwined into a beautiful delicate mesh. The peel of the "Torpedo" is dense, but not thick, it is quite difficult to damage it, so the fruit is great for transportation even over long distances.
The variety is distinguished by powerful shoots, the height of which is 2 m. The bushes need support along which the shoots weave. The average yield of the variety is 3 kg per 1 m².
Gallery: melon "Torpedo" (25 photos + video)
Beneficial features
The calorie content of melon of any variety is low. This also applies to the Torpedo variety: this figure is 35 kcal / 100 g, so even people who are overweight can eat the fruits.
The pulp of melons contains 90% water, so melon is so pleasant to eat in the heat - it quenches thirst. It has a lot of quickly digestible carbohydrates, and very few proteins and fats. Beneficial features melon "Torpedo" is associated with its rich composition, which contains organic acids, enzymes, alimentary fiber, pectins, vitamins of groups B, A, C, P, PP.
This variety contains minerals - potassium, chlorine, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, as well as trace elements - iron, copper, manganese, etc.
Calorie melon of any variety is low
The health benefits for humans are as follows:
- normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- removes harmful substances and unnecessary fluid from the body, and with prolonged use it eliminates salt deposits in the joints;
- increases the body's defenses;
- has a positive effect on nervous system, improves mood and prevents depression from developing;
- has a positive effect on work of cardio-vascular system, removes unnecessary cholesterol;
- normalizes the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
- restores the strength of the body after surgery.
The low calorie content of melon makes it possible to use it as a product for unloading days which is what experts advise. It is suitable for diet food.
But the benefits of this gourd can only be if it is eaten separately from other products. After it, within 2 hours you can not drink water, alcohol and milk, eat dairy products.
The low calorie content of melon allows you to use it as a product for fasting days, which is what experts advise.
Fruit selection at purchase
For those who live in vegetable growing regions, the question of how to choose a Torpedo melon is not relevant. Even if they do not grow it, they will always be able to buy a quality and fully ripened fruit. But in those cities where only imported gourds can be purchased, people do not always know which fruit is good and which is not very good.
To choose a melon "Torpedo" you can listen to the following recommendations:
- This variety belongs to late-ripening, therefore, it should be bought no earlier than the end of August or the beginning of September. Fruits are also offered in the markets in July. But we must understand that for the speedy ripening they were fed with various chemicals that are harmful to health.
- Green streaks on a yellow peel (namely, this is the color of a ripe fruit) indicate that the melon culture is grown using a large amount of nitrates. Do not buy it for those people who care about their health.
- A fully ripened melon has an even yellow color. If brown spots are visible on the surface, this means that it has begun to deteriorate. You should not buy a fruit with scratches on the peel or with dents.
- You can often see how a person who chooses a melon taps on it. This is the correct action. If a dull sound is heard, then the fruit is fully ripe.
- The flesh of the melon ready to eat is soft and white in color. If there is a yellowish strip between the edible part and the peel, it means that during the growth period the bush was watered with saltpeter. And a green strip in the same place shows that an unripe fruit was plucked.
- You can also choose a melon by the appearance of the tail. It must be dry, but strong.
- The real aroma of a ripe fruit resembles a mixture of vanilla, honey and pear smells.
When choosing, you should focus on yellow and fragrant fruits. You can ask the seller how long ago they were plucked - an overripe melon cannot be stored for a long time.
Certainly, the best way- grow melon "Torpedo" on your site. But if this is not possible, then you should be especially careful when choosing a fruit at a retail outlet.
How to plant melons in April (video)
Growing melon varieties "Torpedo"
Melon "Torpedo" grows best in hot climates. But if there is a desire to grow it in central Russia or in northern latitudes, then you should use a greenhouse or greenhouse.
In gourds, the root system is not extensive, so you can dig the ground shallowly - 20 cm will be enough. Humus and peat should be added to the soil. If the cultivation is carried out in a greenhouse, then the soil is prepared from black soil and peat in a ratio of 1: 3.
Seeds should be germinated before planting. They are sown shallowly - no more than 2 cm. If the cultivation is carried out near the house, then the holes are made at a distance of 0.5-0.8 m from each other. And in the field, plants are planted at a greater distance from each other - 1-1.5 m. It must be borne in mind that the lashes of the bush grow strongly.
By the end of summer, we are all waiting for the melon harvest to enjoy this wonderful fruit. When deciding on a variety, we pay attention to the color of the fruit, the size and brightness of the color of the pulp. But the primary role in the choice, of course, is played by taste. From a melon we expect sweetness, juiciness and an appetizing melon aroma. And what is our grief when we feel that it is bitter. If you are purchasing a melon, then it is easy to refuse to buy a bitter fruit. But if you yourself are the owner of a crop of bitter fruits, then you should think about why the melon is bitter.
To the question "why melon with a bitter aftertaste" there are several options response.
If you are harvesting a crop, pay attention to the climate zone in which it is located. Fruits growing in the northern regions of the country require more care and attention. Cold and excessive moisture can cause damage to the crop.
The next reason gardeners call the abundance of nitrates used as mineral fertilizers. Nitrates are most often used for greenhouses or on large farms.
Nitrate is a chemical compound of potassium, calcium and ammonium. This composition is used to enhance growth, destroy pests and increase the shelf life of the product. V a small amount the use of the substance does not harm the fruits and their palatability, however, abuse leads to the fact that nitrates accumulate in some parts of the plant, thus causing changes in the fruit.
Nitrates in large quantities change the composition of cells and the structure of plant DNA. As for people, the ingestion of a large number of nitrogen compounds can harm the human digestive system. This is especially true in summer, because under the influence of high temperatures and humidity, nitrates quickly turn into dangerous nitrite compounds.
Another cause of bitterness is Fusarium melon disease. At present, breeders have bred a large number of varieties with immunity to this disease. However, many varieties are still vulnerable to this fungus.
Fusarium can enter a plant in several ways. First, there is a possibility that you have purchased already infected seeds. Secondly, the plant can be infected through the root system. If this happens, you will notice damage not only to the fruit, but to the entire plant. It is also possible to infect the fetus directly through external damage - cracks, dents, cuts.
Often buyers complain that the melon bought along the highway is bitter. This is due to the fact that the fruits of this culture very quickly absorb salts of heavy metals and a variety of chemical compounds.
In addition, there is a small chance that when buying you were guided by the original appearance fetus and therefore chose Chinese variety melon, also known as Indian cucumber. For this variety, the bitter taste of a ripe fruit is natural.
When you buy a melon, remember that any cracks, dents, scratches, or bumps on the fruit are potential entry points for harmful substances and diseases. Also note that a healthy fruit has a delicious melon aroma that immediately communicates the taste of melon.
The chemical composition of melon
As you know, the chemical composition of melon is very useful product. The fruit boasts a content in the composition of substances such as vitamins A, C, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, beta-carotene, iron and cobalt.
However, all these trace elements affect the sweetness of the melon differently than the presence of carbohydrates in it. The amount of sugar in the most delicious dessert melons cannot be less than 13%. Melons with a lower content of this carbohydrate are rarely used as a table variety.
If the melon is bitter, chemical analysis usually shows a reduced carbohydrate content in the pulp, as a result of which the taste becomes unpleasant.
Remember that on chemical composition fruits are affected not only by the natural composition of the soil, but also by the quality and quantity of fertilizers. Moreover, water content and the formation of protein in the future fruit can be affected by the frequency of watering and the temperatures in which the crop was grown.
Like any plant, this crop is very sensitive to any environmental changes, so pay attention to the conditions in which you grow it.
How to care for melon not bitter
It is necessary to take care of the melon so that it does not get bitter, according to all the rules of agricultural technology of this crop. Do not try in cold climates to grow crops on open field. In addition, do not neglect watering, loosening and good bait.
For a melon that has southern roots, the most important thing is the warmth of the soil and weather, as well as an abundance of sunlight.
If you know that there is a risk of fungi or other diseases in your area for melons, pre-treat the land with fertilizers from pests, and then wait at least 2 months before planting the crop. Do not over-treat growing crops with pesticides, and even more so already formed fruits.
Pay attention to the location of the household plot - it should not be located near major highways or industrial enterprises.
Growing a tasty and sweet melon is not difficult if you show accuracy, attention and care in relation to the future harvest.
Video "How to choose a safe melon"
From this video you will learn how to choose a tasty and safe fruit.
Melon - dessert product, which has a juicy taste and a sweet unique aroma. It belongs to the gourd culture, Africa and India are considered the birthplace of the plant, from where melons subsequently spread widely across the territory of Asian and European countries. To Russia these unusual fruits were imported from Central Asia about 300 years ago, where they are successfully grown to this day.
Appearance characteristic
Representatives of the gourd culture are annual plants, have large leaves and a stem creeping along the ground. The fruit itself has a rather large size (from 2 to 4 kg), a round or oblong shape and a bright yellow peel. Inside it contains many large seeds. The taste and aroma of melon is very delicate, unusual and so peculiar that it cannot be confused with another melon plant. The fruit pulp is enriched with nutrients and useful vitamins positively affecting human health.
Known varieties
There are many varieties of this crop, which can differ in ripening time, degree of sweetness and nutritional value. The most delicious and popular include the following varieties:
Description of the variety Torpedo
Melon Torpedo (photo below) belongs to late varieties ripening by the end of August or beginning of September. Its fruits are oval in shape, can reach a length of 25-45 cm and a weight of 5-8 kg. The peel of the yellow fruit is covered with light veins, arranged in the form of small stripes intertwined with each other. The pulp is white with a creamy tint, has unique taste with the presence of aromas of banana, pear and vanilla. This melon is grown in Central and Asia Minor. It is brought to our country for sale from Uzbekistan.
What is useful melon Torpedo? The fruits of this variety have a high nutritional value and contain up to 85% water Therefore, when using them, you can get rid of hunger, thirst, replenish the spent energy and enrich the supply of vitamins in the body. There is a lot of fiber in the pulp of the Torpedo, which promotes good digestion and normalizes metabolism. Useful is the juice, which helps cleanse the kidneys and remove excess fluid from the body.
Chemical composition
100 grams of melons and gourds of the Torpeda variety contain the following nutrients:
- proteins - 0.7 grams;
- carbohydrates - 7.6 grams;
- fats - 0.3 grams;
Melon also contains vitamins and microelements:
V useful pulp fruit still contains organic acids, pectin, dietary fiber, starch, ash and water.
calories
The fruits of this variety are very sweet due to the high sugar content in the composition, so some people believe that melon should not be used as dietary product, although this is wrong. So how many calories are in Torpedo melon? The sugar that is present in its pulp is very easily absorbed by the body, so this fruit can be fearlessly consumed in any quantity and extra pounds will not appear from this. Calorie melon Torpedo is only 36 kcal per 100 grams of fresh product.
Melon variety Torpedo: photo
The benefits and harms of berries
Useful action
Due to the generous content of various vitamins and minerals in the composition of fruits, it is recommended to use them in the following cases:
As well as sweet product widely used as a cosmetic
- special decoctions from fresh fruits used to whiten age spots on the skin;
- melon pulp masks even out complexion and smooth wrinkles;
- helps to relieve inflammation in acne;
- fruit effect normalizes the condition of the skin, regenerates its surface and saturates it with vitamins.
Harmful effects and contraindications
Melon is certainly a very useful product, but there are some limitations when using it:
- Not recommended for breastfeeding women as it may affect performance digestive system baby.
- Should not be used by people suffering from diabetes, as well as with gastric ulcer or with disorders of the intestinal microflora.
- An upset of the gastrointestinal tract will be ensured if you combine melon with alcoholic beverages.
- To avoid poisoning, it is dangerous to eat unripe fruits.
How to choose the most delicious Torpedo
Here are a few useful tips how to find the most ripe and sweet among many fragrant fruits:
Fragrant melon Torpedo can be used as a dessert, and also added to fruit salads, dairy products, cereals and ice cream. Marmalade, jam, jam are prepared from it, Home wine, compotes. Be sure to include this tasty and healthy product in your diet, it will provide you with a surge of strength, cheer up and charge you with positive emotions.
For now, we offer you simple recipe fruit salad.
To do this, take 200 grams of melon and 200-300 grams of watermelon. Then cut the fruit into large cubes. After that, clean the kiwi and cut it too. Then mix all the products and add a few to them different berries. Suitable strawberries, raspberries or grapes. Dress the salad before serving creamy yogurt. Bon Appetit!
In a short time, this variety, previously widely known only in Asian regions, became popular in European lands. It was recognized not only for its excellent gastronomic properties, but also for its invaluable benefits from the peel to the seeds.
Variety Description
"Torpeda" is a late melon variety with a harmonious light aroma and rich taste. The fruit has an elongated shape, a bright yellow color and is covered with a network of veins, the flesh is white, juicy and slightly oily.
This variety is a big fan of heat, therefore, in our latitudes, it ripens for a long time, about 90 days, and weighs no more than 5 kg, unlike relatives in Uzbekistan, which reach 10–15 kg.
Did you know?Melon "Torpedo" - a native of Uzbekistan, this culture is called "Mirzachul" there.
Nutritional value and calories
100 grams of melon "Torpedo" contains:
- proteins - 0.63 g;
- fat - 0.25 g;
- carbohydrates - 7.72 g.
- v fresh- 35.92 kcal;
- dried - 342 kcal.
Compound
For the unique chemical composition, this variety is valued by both nutritionists and supporters. healthy eating, because it contains pectin, dietary fiber, organic acids, enzymes, many vitamins and minerals.
What vitamins and minerals are found in melon can be seen from the list:- vitamins: A, groups B, C, E, PP, beta-carotene;
- trace elements: iodine, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, cobalt, fluorine;
- macronutrients: potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine.
Useful properties of "Torpedo"
The effect of melon "Torpedo" on the body is diverse, but the benefits far outweigh the harm.
- The use of the product for 4-5 days normalizes metabolic processes and cleanses the digestive tract.
- It has a mild laxative effect, so it is useful for constipation and hemorrhoids.
- Due to the high value of iron, it saturates the body with oxygen and increases hemoglobin.
- Ascorbic acid increases defenses and helps fight diseases.
- Removes excess fluid, showing a diuretic effect.
- Reduces cholesterol levels.
- Infusions on the crust have antidepressant and sedative properties, help relieve fatigue.
- The use of antibiotics during treatment helps to remove their excess.
- With prolonged use of the product, deposited salts are removed from the joints.
- Folic acid is good for pregnant women.
- It has a general rejuvenating effect.
No matter how useful the Torpedo melon is, its value is manifested only under certain conditions:
- the fruit must be ripe and not infected with diseases;
- use - in moderation.
Application of melon
This variety has been popular for many years. unique product. Its use is diverse and pursues various purposes, ranging from eating and ending with help in curing.
Treatment
V medical purposes They use both fresh and dried fruits, juice, seeds. The pulp contains about 90% water, so it quenches thirst. Melon is also used to improve the psycho-emotional state, with arrhythmia, ischemia, tuberculosis, atherosclerosis, and obesity. 
It is an excellent assistant in the restoration of strength after surgery. Compresses are made from the pulp, which are applied to burns, scars, wounds for their speedy healing. Juice is a diuretic, choleretic and anthelmintic agent.
Seeds improve potency, they are taken for diseases of the prostate and sexual impotence in men. Seed extract is recommended for chronic cough. They are also used for kidney stones.
Did you know? Since ancient times, melon seeds have been considered the strongest aphrodisiac for men.
weight loss
The high content of coarse fiber helps to remove toxins and bad cholesterol from the body, which helps in the fight against extra pounds. In Europe, cleansing based on melon juice is gaining popularity. It is carried out for 20 days. 
Drink juice on an empty stomach, adding any. Those who want to lose weight carry out a mono-diet, which doctors recommend not to delay for more than three days, because the consequences of the diuretic effect are negatively affected. Due to the low calorie content, the fruit is often used for fasting days.
cooking
"Torpedo" is consumed raw, as a separate dessert or as a component of smoothies, cakes, fruit cocktails, sorbets and other sweets. Marmalade is made from it, jam and jam are made. The fruits of this melon culture go well with white meat, cheese and greens in salads.
Wine is insisted on them and with the addition of champagne they get a cup. Seeds are also valued for taste qualities and benefit. Before use, they are washed, dried and fried in the oven or in a pan. melon rinds fragrant tea is dried and infused on them. 
The pulp can also be dried and consumed both as an independent delicacy and as an addition to dessert dishes. dried fruit It is also used as a filling for baking.
Important!All the value from the use of "Torpedo" can be overshadowed by an allergy to this product. .
Cosmetology
Variety "Torpedo" is most often used as the main component of face and body masks. Cosmetic products based on pulp and juice:
- smooth wrinkles and prevent the appearance of new ones;
- cure acne;
- increase the production of collagen;
- improve complexion.
Decoction of seeds (for 1 glass of water - 1 tablespoon of ground seeds) has a rejuvenating effect on the skin, gives evenness to the tone of the face, and eliminates age spots. Juice-based lotions moisturize dry hair and skin, relieve brittle nails, give elasticity and shine to lips. 
Harm and contraindications
Harm from use is possible in several cases:
- eating in excess of the norm;
- buying an unripe or infected fruit;
- reception with incompatible drinks;
- contraindications for certain diseases and feeding infants.
Excessive consumption of melon leads to bloating, increased flatulence, colic and disruption of the stomach and intestines. The same trouble can be obtained if you eat a melon on an empty stomach. The melon fruit is recommended to be consumed in between meals.
The unripe fruit contains carcinogens. If the peel has black spots and open cracks, there is a high probability of getting an upset gastrointestinal tract or contracting botulism.
Nursing mothers need to avoid melon because there are problems with the child's digestion - children under 3 years of age do not yet have the appropriate enzymes to digest the heavy components of the fruit. 
Melon (Cucumis melo or literally "inflated fruit") is a false berry or vegetable belonging to the gourd family. Its closest relatives are cucumber and pumpkin. This annual melon culture has hundreds of varieties of various shapes, sizes and colors. On sale, you can most often find European melons "Kolkhoz Woman" and Uzbek ones - "Torpedo". They are absolutely not similar to each other, but in composition they do not differ too much from each other.
Description of the melon variety "Torpedo"
The Uzbek melon "Torpeda", called in the homeland "Mirzachulskaya", has been known in Russia for more than three centuries. It has an elongated shape, the yellow crust of the fruit is completely covered with a fine mesh. The pulp is very tender, white, juicy and fragrant. It tolerates transportation over long distances. This is a heat-loving variety of melon, the fruits of which in Uzbekistan reach a weight of up to 15 kg. In the Moscow region, where there is not enough heat for them, you can grow melons weighing up to 5 kg.
This variety belongs to the late ones, the fruits reach the peak of ripeness by the end of August. Therefore, melons sold at the beginning of summer should be treated with caution. After all, they were harvested unripe, the “ripening” of these fruits was carried out artificially using chemicals hazardous to human health.
Melon "Torpedo": features of the variety (video)
Benefits, nutritional value of melon
"Torpedo" refers to the sweet varieties of melons, its calorie content is maximum for these vegetable crops and is 36 kcal per 100 g of pulp. This means that overweight people should not avoid this extremely healthy low-calorie product.
The benefits of melon "Torpedo" are undeniable and it consists in the following:
- The fruits are rich in enzymes that improve bowel function. And fiber cleans it and removes toxins from the body.
- The vitamins C, A, B, PP and microelements contained in it - potassium, sodium, calcium, iron, silicon - help to increase immunity, stabilize the nervous system, have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, bladder, heart and blood vessels . Melon is also useful for anemia, it is recommended to restore blood volume after surgery.
- Substances found in melon pulp help to relieve depression and improve mood.
- Zinc, which is rich in melon seeds, has a good effect on the skin and hair. They are advised to eat with honey, but in moderation, because. excess zinc is harmful to the spleen.
The beneficial properties of this fruit are used by nutritionists when compiling the so-called melon diets, which help get rid of extra pounds. However, such unloading is best done no more than twice a week.
Melon - independent dish, which is not desirable to combine with other products. Melon is especially not combined with milk, because. can cause allergies and eating disorders. The break between meals after eating melon should be at least 2 hours.
There are only a few contraindications for the use of the fruit of the mentioned variety:
- It is not recommended to eat this sweet melon diabetics, ulcers.
- It is not indicated for nursing mothers, because. can cause intestinal colic in the baby.
Features of cultivation and care
Melon "Torpedo" is a southern, heat-loving plant, so in the middle lane it is better to grow it in a glassed greenhouse or greenhouse. For its shallow root system, a twenty-centimeter fertile soil layer is sufficient, which includes one part of peat and black soil and three parts of humus. Germinated seeds are planted on loosened beds, keeping a distance of 50 by 80 cm between them.
Undesirable neighbors for melons will be their closest relatives - cucumbers, because. over-pollination of these plants spoils the taste of melon.
Important conditions for a good harvest of these southern melons are:
- sufficient amount of heat and light;
- regular loosening and watering of plants;
- pinching and removing excess ovaries;
- their monthly feeding with mullein infusion.
It is known that melons intensively absorb harmful substances, accumulating them. Melon "Torpedo" with dishonest cultivation or its sale with violations can become dangerous, causing severe poisoning. Many do not know how to choose a melon so that it brings joy and benefit, and not disappointment. Here are some tips to avoid various mistakes:
- Its color should be uniform. green spot- this is a sign of the immaturity of the vegetable, and a brown spot or dent is an indicator that it has begun to deteriorate.
- A ripe melon is not too hard to the touch, but not very soft either. It should not have cracks or scratches.
- The sound when tapping on the peel of a ripe fruit should be deaf.
- The tail of a quality vegetable should be thick and dry, and the nose should spring when pressed.
- The pulp in the cut should not have white streaks, and the seeds should have a yellowish tint and be full and not dry.
- If there is a thin yellowish strip between the peel and the pulp, then this melon was fed with saltpeter. If this strip is greenish, then the vegetable is unripe.
- The bright, juicy, shiny skin of the melon, combined with the absolute absence of a pleasant smell in it, are signs of the cultivation of the soil on which these gourds were grown with urea.
- You can not buy cut fruits or those that lie on the ground next to the road.
How to grow melons (video)
Melons "Torpedo" - extraordinarily tasty, fragrant and useful fruits. It is desirable to eat them every day. After all, the season of melons is so short! At right choice you will get great pleasure from these wonderful gifts of nature.
