Hello, everyone! Just looking at the melons ripening in the hot sun makes you feel good, doesn't it? I have memories of picking and eating the melons that were hanging in my grandmother's yard when I was young, and I still can't forget the sweet and crunchy taste of that time. 😋
Melon is one of the representative fruits of summer, and is excellent for quenching thirst with its sweet taste and rich water content. But did you know that melon is not only delicious, but also full of various nutrients that are good for our body and help with dieting?
Today, I'm going to delve into everything about melons so that you can fully immerse yourself in their charm! From the origin of melons to their health benefits, side effects, how to eat them deliciously, various cooking recipes, storage methods, calories, diet effects, types, prices, and even fun stories about melons! 🍈 I'll also share my own tips without holding back, so stay with me until the end! 😉
1️⃣ Melon, where are your roots? 🧐 (Melon origin)
Melon is a cucurbit native to India. It boasts a long history, with records showing it being cultivated in India as early as 3000 BC. It was introduced to Korea through China during the Three Kingdoms Period, and at that time, it was considered a precious fruit, and only the royal family and nobles could enjoy it.
However, in the late Joseon Dynasty, as melon cultivation technology developed, ordinary people were able to enjoy melons, and today, they have become a representative summer fruit.
2️⃣ Melon, isn't it just delicious?! 😲 (Melon benefits)
Melon is not only delicious, but it is also a healthy fruit full of nutrients that are good for our bodies.
- Hydrate and quench your thirst: Melon is composed of more than 90% of water, making it excellent for quenching thirst and also helping prevent dehydration in the summer when people sweat a lot. (Source: Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition)
- Energy Enhancer: Melon is rich in vitamin C and potassium, which is good for relieving fatigue. Potassium, in particular, helps excrete sodium and helps control blood pressure. (Source: National Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
- Enhanced Immunity: Vitamin C contained in melon activates immune cells, strengthens immunity, and is also effective in preventing colds. (Source: US National Institutes of Health)
- Skincare Benefits: Melon is rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which is good for skin health. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, which increases skin elasticity, and beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant, preventing skin aging. (Source: Korean Journal of Dermatology)
- Constipation prevention: Melon is rich in dietary fiber, which helps promote bowel movement and prevent constipation. (Source: Korean Journal of Nutrition)
3️⃣ Melon, you shouldn't eat too much, right? 😨 (Side effects of melon)
Although melons are delicious and healthy, consuming them in excess can cause some side effects.
- diarrhea: Melon has a cold nature, so if you eat too much, it can cause diarrhea. People with cold bodies in particular should be careful about how much they eat.
- Increased blood sugar: Melon contains a lot of sugar, so if you eat too much, your blood sugar level may rise rapidly. Diabetics in particular should be careful about the amount they eat.
- allergy: In rare cases of melon allergy, symptoms such as itching, hives, and difficulty breathing may occur.
4️⃣ How to eat melon so it tastes good? 😋 (How to eat melon)
Melon is delicious when eaten raw, but it can be made even more delicious in a variety of ways.
- Eating raw: The most common way to eat melon is to peel it, remove the seeds, and then eat it.
- Melon hwachae: A refreshing summer dessert made with melon, milk, cider, ice, and other fruits.
- Melon juice: Juice made from pureed melon is good for quenching thirst and energizing a body tired from the heat.
- Melon Salad: This salad made with melon, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. is refreshing and healthy.
- Pickled Melon: Pickled melon made by marinating it in soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, etc. is good as a side dish.
I personally love melon hwachae. It is a really delicious combination of various fruits and melon. I think hwachae is the best with ice in the summer.
5️⃣ Can Melon Be Used in Cooking? 🍳 (Recipes Using Melon)
Let's learn about four representative ways to use melon in dishes.
- Fried Rice with Melon: Finely chop the melon and add it to the fried rice for a sweet and crunchy texture.
- Melon Cold Salad: This cold salad made with melon, cucumber, jellyfish, etc. is great for whetting your appetite.
- Melon Sherbet: Made from frozen melon, this sherbet is cool and sweet, perfect for cooling off in the heat.
- Pickled Melon: Pickled melons made with vinegar, sugar, salt, etc. go well with rich foods.
6️⃣ How should I store melons? 🧊 (Melon storage method)
Melons can be kept fresh for a longer period of time if stored in the refrigerator. However, let’s look at some storage methods.
- Store whole: Wrap the washed melon in newspaper and store in the refrigerator.
- Cut and store: Cut the melon into bite-size pieces and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Seed removal: If you remove the seeds from melons and store them, you can eat them more conveniently.
- Freezing: You can freeze melon and make smoothies or ice cream with it.
7️⃣ How many calories does Melon have? 🤔 (Melon calories)
Melon is relatively low in calories, with about 31 kcal per 100g. However, it is high in sugar, so be careful not to eat too much as it can increase your blood sugar level.
8️⃣ Is Melon Good for Dieting? 🏃♀️ (Melon Diet Effects)
Melon can help with dieting because it is low in calories and high in water content. Eating melon can help you feel full, which helps you eat less, and the water intake can help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism.
However, melons are high in sugar, so consuming them in excess can actually cause weight gain. Therefore, it is important to consume them in moderation while dieting.
9️⃣ Melon, what kinds are there? 🍈🍈🍈 (Melon types)
Depending on the variety, melons vary in size, shape, color, taste, and sweetness. Representative melon types include the following:
- Golden Melon: This is a melon with a golden skin and white flesh. It is characterized by high sugar content, rich juice, and a crunchy texture.
- Honeydew Melon: This is a melon with yellow skin and white flesh. It is characterized by a sweet taste like honey.
- White melon: This is a melon with white skin and white flesh. It has a thin and soft skin and a mildly sweet flavor.
- frog melon: This is a melon with green spots on the rind. It has less sugar content and firmer flesh than regular melons.
- Ugly Melon: This is a melon that doesn't look pretty. Its taste and quality are the same as regular melons, but it's cheaper.
🔟 How much can I buy a melon? 💰🍈 (Melon price)
The price of melons varies depending on size, variety, sugar content, and place of origin. They usually cost between 1,000 and 3,000 won per melon, but prices tend to be cheaper in the summer, when they are in season. You can buy them at a variety of places, including large marts, traditional markets, and online shopping malls.
1️⃣1️⃣ Frog Melon, Is It Poisonous? 🐸🍈 (Frog Melon)
Frog melon is a melon with green spots on its skin, reminiscent of frog skin. It has lower sugar content than regular melons, firmer flesh, and thicker skin.
Some people worry that it is poisonous because of its name, but frog melon is safe to eat like regular melon. In fact, there are research results that show that it is even better for your health because the skin is rich in chlorophyll.
1️⃣2️⃣ Ugly Melon, Will It Taste the Same? 🤔🍈 (Ugly Melon)
Ugly melons are melons that are not pretty in shape. They have the same taste and quality as regular melons, but their commercial value is lowered due to their shape, so they are sold at a lower price.
Ugly melons are popular with thrifty consumers because they taste good and are inexpensive. I also often buy ugly melons, and they taste just as sweet and delicious as regular melons.
1️⃣3️⃣ Silverfish Melon, Does It Really Taste Like Silverfish? 🐟🍈 (Silverfish Melon)
Silver melon is not a melon that looks like a silver fish, but a melon grown in Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk, where silver fish are caught in abundance. Bonghwa has clean water, air, and fertile soil, making it the perfect place to grow melons.
Silver melon is famous for its high sugar content and crunchy texture, and its thin skin makes it easy to eat. It doesn't taste like silver fish, but if you're looking for a delicious melon, I recommend silver melon.
1️⃣4️⃣ Melon Cross Section, What's the Hidden Secret? 🧐🍈 (Melon Cross Section)
If you look closely at the cross-section of a melon, you can see that it is divided into a seeded part and a seedless part. The seeded part is sweeter and softer, while the seedless part is relatively less sweet and has a more crunchy texture.
To enjoy melons deliciously, it is best to eat both the parts with and without seeds. The part with seeds is sweeter, and the part without seeds is crunchy, allowing you to enjoy a richer taste.
1️⃣5️⃣ Can I eat melon seeds? 🤔🍈 (Melon seeds)
Melon seeds are edible. Melon seeds contain various nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin E, and unsaturated fatty acids, which are good for your health. However, they can be difficult to digest, so it is recommended to remove the seeds before eating.
1️⃣6️⃣ Melon, causes diarrhea? 😨🍈 (melon diarrhea)
Melon has a cold nature, so if you eat too much, it can cause diarrhea. People with cold bodies should be especially careful about how much they eat. If you eat melon and experience diarrhea, it is recommended to drink warm water or tea to warm up your body.
Melon Episode: Melon, the Secret Royal Inspector's Disguise Weapon?! 🕵️♂️🍈
Everyone, what image comes to mind when you think of secret royal inspectors of the Joseon Dynasty?
The first thing that comes to mind is the image of a righteous inspector riding a horse and chasing corrupt officials, but did you know that behind the activities of the secret royal inspector, there was an unexpected helper?
It's the sweet and cool summer fruit, melon! 🍈✨
Story: 🕵️♂️🤫 Shhh! It's a secret! The unexpected reason why the secret royal inspector loves melons! 🍈🔍
Secret Royal Inspector Succeeds in Disguising His Identity Thanks to Melon?! 😲
In order to resolve the grievances of the people, the secret royal inspector had to hide his identity. He would wear ordinary clothes and a hat and secretly go around the village to check the public sentiment. It is said that melons played a big role in disguising the secret royal inspector’s identity during this process.
How did melons become the secret royal inspector's disguise tool? 🤔
First, melons were a common fruit during the Joseon Dynasty.
It was not at all suspicious to carry a melon, which was commonly seen on the street. By pretending to eat the melon, the secret royal inspector was able to naturally mingle with the people and obtain information.
Second, melons were an excellent emergency food.
Since the secret royal inspector had to travel long distances, he needed food that was easy to eat. Melon was rich in water and sugar, making it perfect for quenching hunger and thirst.
Third, the melon turns into a secret document storage?! 🤫
Melons also had unexpected uses. If you remove the stem and hollow out the inside of a melon, you can find a space where you can hide small items. It is said that secret royal inspectors would hide secret documents and important items in this space.
Although melons may look like ordinary fruits on the outside, to the secret royal inspector, they are a versatile tool with a variety of uses!
Secret Royal Inspector Melon, what does it taste like? 😋
What did the melons that secret royal inspectors enjoyed taste like? During the Joseon Dynasty, there were not as many varieties of melons as there are today, but it is said that there were many melons with excellent taste and flavor.
In particular, honey melons were famous for their sweet taste like honey, and Euncheon melons were loved for their subtle fragrance and soft texture. The secret royal inspectors would have comforted their tired bodies and minds with sweet melons while traveling long distances.
Secret Royal Inspector Melon, Can We Meet It in Modern Times? 👀
Unfortunately, there are almost no melon varieties left today that were eaten by secret royal inspectors during the Joseon Dynasty. However, efforts are ongoing to reproduce the taste and flavor of the old melons through breeding.
Do you also enjoy eating melon like the secret royal inspector? How about savoring the taste of melon while thinking of the secret royal inspector's exploits every time you eat it? 😉
Conclusion: Melon, the perfect healthy summer snack! 🍈✨
Melon is a representative summer fruit that is delicious and healthy. It is rich in water, vitamins, and minerals, which help relieve thirst and fatigue, and is also effective in strengthening immunity and beautifying the skin.
Taste different types of melons and use delicious ways to enjoy them to stay healthy and cool this summer! 😊
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