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. Useful properties of melon "Torpedo" are 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 fermented milk 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 ripened fruit) indicate that the gourds are grown using a large number 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.
Melon "Torpedo" (Cucumis melo) is a plant from the Cucurbitaceae family, or Cucurbitaceae, genus Cucumber, or Cucumis. This melon culture, popular with consumers, includes a significant number of various subspecies and forms, including the Torpedo melon. A ripe melon always exudes a very sweet, delicate and delicate, characteristic melon aroma. It can be dried, dried, processed into melon honey, and also used to make marmalade or tasty and useful candied fruits.
Characteristics and features
The variety of melon "Torpeda" known to consumers in the territory of Uzbekistan is usually called "Mirzachulsky". The homeland of this variety is the territory of Asia Minor and Central Asia.
Melon called "Torpedo" refers to late varieties that tolerate transportation well. Fully ripened fruits have an attractive elongated shape and are characterized by a pronounced yellow coloration of the skin with a netting. The pulp of ripe melons is always very juicy, white in color, has an unsurpassed taste and is well pronounced, but very thin and delicate fragrance.
Main selection criteria
Melon "Torpeda" has excellent juiciness and surpasses in these indicators the fruits of such popular varieties in our country as "Kolhoznitsa", "Gulyabi" and "Thai".
It is not recommended to buy Torpedo melon until mid-August or even the first decade of September, since the natural ripening period of this popular culture is late. In the fruits presented on the market in more than early dates, is contained excessive amount pesticides, as well as nitrates hazardous to health. Delicious and most useful melon happens at the stage of full ripening.
Melon "Torpedo": variety description (video)
Only by knowing how to choose a ripe and fresh melon, you can protect yourself and loved ones from low-quality products and food poisoning. When choosing fruits, you should focus on the main indicators - appearance and aroma.
| Ripeness index | Features and Description |
| The appearance of the fruit | The fruit should have an oblong shape and have a yellow surface with small bright yellow longitudinal stripes. Green melons with small longitudinal stripes are immature and tasteless. The presence of dark spots on the surface is an indicator of damage to the fruit, and melons with a soft surface are considered overripe. A ripe "Torpedo" always makes a characteristic dull sound when patted on the surface. The tail of the melon should be dry and the nose should be slightly soft. |
| The smell of fruits | A fully ripe Torpedo melon should exude an odor that resembles a mixture of vanilla, pear and flower honey aromas. |
It is impossible to buy a melon at the "collapses" located along the roads, and the cut fruits that are sold are not suitable for food.
Benefits of use and contraindications
Melon pulp called "Torpedo" contains a significant amount of substances useful for the human body, including vitamins, mineral components, as well as carotene and folic acid. The pulp is rich in fiber and large quantity enzymes, which improves bowel function. The melon of the popular Torpedo variety has an antioxidant effect and has a beneficial effect on the condition of hair and skin.
Ripe melon pulp can improve metabolic processes, strengthen the immune system and nervous system. Melon is very useful for urolithiasis, as well as cholelithiasis. This melon culture is very often used for the purpose cleansing the body, because melon fibers well remove toxic substances from the body. Among other things, the seed material of the melon has long been considered the strongest aphrodisiac, and its taste is uplifting.
The benefits of melon are not disputed. Melon pulp saturates the body with such vitamins as A, B1, B2 and C, and also contains chlorine, potassium, calcium, sodium and iron. This melon culture is indicated for use by almost everyone, except for patients diabetes and those with kidney disease. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage are also a contraindication for the use of melon.
Thus, from a medical point of view, Torpedo melon is recommended for the following purposes:
- removal of excess fluid from the body due to the presence of strong diuretic properties in melon;
- bowel cleansing due to high content fiber;
- excretion of decay products and various toxic substances from the body;
- sedative and antidepressant effect on the body;
- removal of bad cholesterol from the body;
- increasing the protective properties and immunity of the body;
- increased hemoglobin in anemia and iron deficiency anemia.
It is strictly forbidden after eating melon to drink milk or any other dairy products, as well as alcohol or cold water. This food combination often causes severe poisoning. It is recommended to take any food not earlier than half an hour after eating melon.
Nutritional value and caloric values
The ripe pulp of a melon called "Torpedo" is characterized by the content of too many carbohydrates with low calorie content of the product. On average, 0.6 g of protein, 0.24 g of fat and 7.7 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of pulp. The percentage of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is 7.1: 2.8: 90.1. The average calorie content is 35.7 kcal or 149 kJ. Low calorie content allows the melon of this variety to be used in diet food.
How to choose a melon (video)
A variety of mono-diets, which are based on the use of melons in food, help to remove toxins accumulated by the body. However, it is not recommended to get involved in such a diet, since the variety has a pronounced diuretic effect. It is for this reason that it is undesirable to stick to a melon diet for more than three days. It should be remembered that calories dried melon almost three times the number of calories "Torpedo" in its raw form. There are about 340 kcal per 100 g of dried melon, which should be taken into account when eating the fruits of this melon during a diet.
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 great lover 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 fetus. 
Melon Torpedo is the most famous Central Asian variety. Its homeland is sunny Uzbekistan, for which the Mirzanchulskaya melon (the local name of the variety) has long been a visiting card. It is grown here in every yard, it is treated and presented to guests who are happy to bring fragrant fruits home from a distant business trip. In Europe, the variety of Uzbek melon Torpeda began to be grown in the 17th century. Of course, its taste differs from that grown in Uzbekistan, but nevertheless, the variety has not lost its popularity for more than three centuries.
The Uzbek melon Torpedo has an oblong, sometimes very elongated shape, for which it probably received such unusual name. The peel of ripe fruits is yellow, uniform in color, completely covered with a grayish mesh pattern. The pulp is white or creamy, slightly oily, very delicate texture, delicious honey-sweet taste, exudes a light vanilla aroma.
The Torpedo bush cannot be called compact. Its lashes are powerful, strongly expanding, reaching a length of 2 meters or more - that is why the cultivation of this variety often takes place on supports. This method helps the fruits to ripen faster and excludes their damage from contact with the ground. Torpedo melons grow better in their homeland, where it is hot and dry. There, their weight can reach 15 kg, but in a temperate continental climate, fruits rarely reach even 5 kg.
Main characteristics
Variety Torpedo is late-ripening. In the conditions of the European climate, the fruits ripen in 90-100 days. In hot Uzbekistan and other countries Central Asia they are able to ripen in a shorter period - by mid-August. Due to the dense, albeit thin skin, melons are well stored and transported over long distances. In cool dry conditions in a suspended state, their storage is possible until spring.
Particular attention should be paid to the taste and beneficial features fruits. Ripe melon Torpedo is considered one of the most delicious and healthy among all Asian varieties. Its pulp contains many useful substances: vitamins, minerals, pectins, fiber, carotene, acids and enzymes. 90% melon consists of water, making it easy to quench your thirst.
The nutritional value ripe melon Torpedo is only 35 kcal / 100 g of product. This is a small figure, although among other varieties it is the highest. Due to such a caloric content, Torpedo melons in their homeland are considered a full-fledged independent product that can be consumed by absolutely everyone, adults and children, because its pulp is easily digestible carbohydrates that give the body strength and energy.
How to choose a melon
In countries where the Torpedo melon grows, even a child will be able to choose from a huge pile the most ripe and sweet. But the situation is quite different with urban residents, most of whom see them only in supermarkets or markets. How to choose a ripe Torpedo melon so as not to be disappointed with your purchase? Perhaps the following suggestions will help you with this:
- firstly, you should not buy a melon before the beginning of September - the fruits that appeared on sale in the summer are usually grown using substances that accelerate ripening;
- the skin color should be evenly yellow - orange skin is a sign of excess urea in the soil, greenish spots indicate insufficient ripeness of the fruit, a green vein is a sign of nitrate accumulation, dark spots on the melon indicate that it has begun to deteriorate;
- when we choose a ripe Torpedo melon, we pay attention to the condition of the peel - it should be springy and easily bend when pressed;
- you can determine the ripeness of the fruit by tapping on the peel - the sound should be deaf;
- the flesh of a ripe melon is white or slightly creamy, uniform consistency- a green stripe under the skin indicates that the fruit was plucked too early;
- melon contents (seeds) are easily separated from the pulp;
- taste of ripe melon Torpedo is sweet, reminiscent of a combination of honey, pear and vanilla - fresh or bitter flesh indicates that the product has begun to deteriorate.
Even if you did not manage to buy a ripe melon, do not worry. In a dry place, it keeps for as long as you like, so just leave it there until fully ripened.
Growing features
The torpedo is thermophilic, so in our latitudes it is better to grow it in greenhouses, greenhouses or through seedlings, which, after transplanting into the ground, need to be covered with a film for a long time. The soil should be light and fertile, contain peat, humus, preferably black earth or at least loam.
When grown on trellises, plants can be planted according to the 50x80 cm scheme, but if they spread along the ground, they should be planted so that each bush has about 2 m² of area.
Caring for a melon bed consists of the following activities:
- watering - you need to water often, since the root system of the Torpedo is shallow;
- top dressing - liquid mullein is applied 1 time per month;
- until the plants are untangled, it is necessary to carry out hilling, and then regularly loosen the soil;
- in order for the fruits to grow large and sweet, pinching the lashes and removing excess ovaries is required - a maximum of 3–4 ovaries should remain on the bush.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantages of the variety, of course, are the taste and useful properties of the fruit. Besides being very valuable food product, melon torpedo possess medicinal properties and are widely used in traditional medicine. With its help, it is possible to strengthen a weakened body, increase immunity, normalize digestion, kidney function, improve metabolic processes in the body and solve many other health problems.
Before you enjoy a delicious and fresh ripe fruit, you need to know exactly how to choose a torpedo melon correctly. There are several important points to remember. There are a lot of offers on the market now, but not every melon will really suit you. For example, an unripe melon can be not only useless, but even harmful to health. Green melon negatively affects the body, causes intestinal disorders. In addition, unripe melons are sometimes sweetened and tinted with special chemical compounds, or “graft” the fruit so that it ripens faster. How to be in such cases? Remember the recommendations, be sure to carefully check the melon different ways before the purchase. If you have already bought a melon, but, having cut the fruit, you are convinced of its immaturity, just do not eat it. It is better to go to the store and choose a melon again than risk your health.
How to buy melon "torpedo"First of all, you need to pay attention to the place where you are going to buy Mirzachul melon "torpedo". Refuse to buy from dubious sellers, do not buy melons that are sold along highways. Even if the melon is really brought from the south, it attracts with ripeness and all the signs of the “correct” fruit, it is quite possible to get poisoned by it. It collects heavy metals, exhaust gases from passing cars and a lot of harmful substances. Visually, you will not notice this, but your body will feel the negative impact.
- Buy from official outlets. Buy melons in shops, supermarkets, officially registered markets. Avoid shopping in stalls on the streets. Of course, it can be advised to ask the seller for the necessary certificates for melons, permission from the sanitary and epidemiological station. But imagine how you will ask the seller for all these documents and, most importantly, how will you determine their authenticity? In official outlets, all such papers are issued in without fail, several people from the staff and administration are responsible for this at once. Buying a melon "torpedo" there is much more reliable.
- Avoid cut melons. When you decide to choose a “torpedo” melon, immediately discard already cut fruits. Even if the seller insistently invites you to try a slice in order to evaluate the taste and ripeness of the fruit, this should not be done. Choose only a whole melon. Tasting the fruit is also a bad idea. Melons are not washed in shops and markets before cutting; pathogenic bacteria can penetrate through the cut. Even if the melon is wrapped in cellophane, it still won't be securely protected.
- Melon in season. The best solution is to buy a torpedo melon in the season when it can definitely ripen naturally. Usually "torpedoes" ripen in mid-July. Those fruits that can be seen in stores much earlier or later than the season are probably grown in conditions far from natural. Such a melon, although it can be tasty, is noticeably less useful.
When you have waited for the start of the season, have already come to the store or to the market, saw a lot of uncut melons, it's time to choose the right fruit. It is important to pay attention to a number of nuances. Then the most delicious healthy melon will get right to you.
- Bark without damage. Choose a melon that has no damage on the rind. Microbes can enter any scratch.
- No dents or scratches. Please note: there should be no scratches or dents on the melon. Dents most often appear when the melon is not properly transported, the fruit is already overripe and begins to rot.
- Form. Melons "torpedoes" have a long, slightly elongated shape. The fruit is covered with a thin mesh of small veins.
- Color. Ripe melon "torpedo" should have a fairly rich yellow color with a sandy tint. Longitudinal stripes on the melon are bright yellow.
- Stem. Ripe melon has a thicker stem. It is also called the "tail". In addition, it should be dry, not saturated with moisture.
- A crust in place of a flower. Here, the crust of the torpedo melon is a little softer than in other places. Press gently to check how easily the crust moves under your fingers. She has to push in. If the rind is too hard, the fruit is probably not yet ripe. Too much soft crust is also a bad sign. Check for other dents. Perhaps the melon is already overripe.
- Slightly peel off the skin. Lightly scratch the skin of the melon with your fingernail. A small top layer should be removed, and under it there will be a slightly greenish crust. In a ripe melon, the top layer of the crust is scraped off without much difficulty.
- Clunk. Lightly tap the side of the melon with your palm. A mature melon has a muffled sound.
- Smell. The melon smells of pear, vanilla, there are notes of honey. If you caught the aroma of herbs, you should not buy such a “torpedo” - it is probably unripe.
- We look at the melon slices. When you have already brought the melon home, you can check it again for ripeness. Cut the fruit into slices. See how thick the crust is. In a ripe melon, the rind is rather thin, the flesh is light, yellowish, without shades of green. Harsh pulp near the crust is not necessary.
