Sprite melon
Sprite melon | |
---|---|
Species | Cucumis melo |
Origin | Japan |
The sprite melon is a kind of melon, similar to honeydew, which originates from Japan. Since the late 1990s, it has been cultivated in North Carolina as a specialty crop; the melon has increased in popularity in recent years.[1] It has been cultivated and developed throughout history by selective breeding into the modern melon we have today.
A sprite melon has a round shape and is typically about the size of a grapefruit. It generally ranges in weight from 1.0 to 1.5 lbs. The flesh of a sprite melon is ivory in color and firm, while the peel ranges from ivory (unripe) to yellowish (ripe). As the melon reaches optimal ripeness, horizontal brown markings will appear near the stem. Sprite melon contains seeds. The firm, juicy, sweet flesh of the sprite melon is usually eaten for dessert and tends to resemble the flavor of both pears and honeydew. However, it is much sweeter than either of these; it can often consist of 18% sugar, making it 25% to 30% sweeter than other melons.[2] The melon is a part of the family Cucurbitaceae, grouped in with cucumbers, gourds, and pumpkins.[3]
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy | 150 kJ (36 kcal) | ||||||||||||||||
9.6 g | |||||||||||||||||
Sugars | 9 g | ||||||||||||||||
Dietary fiber | 333 mg | ||||||||||||||||
0.0 g | |||||||||||||||||
63.3 mg | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[4] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[5] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Yancey, Cecil (2002-06-05). "Melon an alternative for tobacco?". Southeast Farm Press. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ Bare, David (2003-11-15). "Options: Conference to explore new crops". Winston-Salem Journal.
- ^ "Sprite Melons" (PDF). School Nutrition Services – Child Nutrition. 1 Jul 2016. Retrieved 2 Jul 2018.
- ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Archived from the original on 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-21.