Canary melon, is a large, bright-yellow oval-shaped melon, with a light green to white inner flesh. This melon has a distinctively sweet flavor that is slightly sweeter than a honeydew melon. The flesh looks like the flesh of a pear but softer and attractive to the eye. The fruit has several names like sweet melon, yellow melon, Juan canary, Spanish melon e.t.c.
If you’re walking through the streets of a city in Nigeria this period, there’s a very high chance that you will cross a hawker passing by with canary melons, or see a fruit store with this yellow fruit that isn’t grape.
However, despite your meeting with canary melon, you might be under enlightened like I was some time ago and you are wondering, what is the benefit of this golden ball, what differentiates it from other melons. Surprisingly you might even identify it with another name. Whichever category you fall into, just read on.
Below are the ten amazing facts about canary melon you should know about.
Canary melons are named after the canary bird, as the rind matches the bird’s signature bright yellow coloring.
Canary melons, when ripe, emit a subtle, tropical aroma with pineapple and banana nuances. The melons also contain around 13.9 Brix, a measurement of the sugar content within the flesh, creating a distinctly mild, sweet, and tangy flavor.
Canary melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melo, are a sweet variety of muskmelon belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family.
The melons are known by several names, including Spanish melon, Juan Canary, Jaune des Canaries, Amarillo melon, Spanish Melon, and San Juan Canary Melon.
Canary melons lack the musky aroma commonly associated with muskmelons and are primarily grown worldwide for fresh eating.
Canary melon can be stored for extended periods because of its hard rind which allows the melon to have a long post-vine shelf-life.
It contains about 90% water thus, hydrates the body really well.
Canary melon can also be dried to serve as a handy snack to be consumed anytime.
Seeds can be dried, roasted, or pressed into seed oil. Thus, all parts are consumable. Also, the seeds are planted to grow the fruit.
Canary melon contains vitamin C, pantothenic acid, calcium, zinc, vitamin B6, fiber, magnesium, iron, potassium, vitamin A and omega-3 & 6.
Unlike other melons, the canary melon has an edible and succulent flesh, canary melons are known to be incredibly sweet and taste more like honeydew melon, it can be enjoyed with no health risk, for instance, the watermelon has some controversy whereby some believe the flesh can be harmful to the body while some say it has some nutritional benefits.
Nutritional Value of Canary Melon
Canary melons are an excellent source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract and the antioxidant vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and protect the cells against environmental toxins known as free radicals. The melons are also a good source of vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and contain lower amounts of manganese, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.
Health Benefits of Canary Melon
Like other melons, the canary melon is a healthy addition to your diet, offering a number of benefits. Not only does this melon help you keep a lid on calories, but it's also a good source of nutrients that help you fight off disease.
Fills You Up Without Many Calories
People tend to eat about the same amount of food each day, regardless of calorie content, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you're having a hard time losing or maintaining weight, you might want to consider eating more foods with low energy densities like canary melons. A 1/2-cup serving of the canary melon has 25 calories, and with just 0.3 calories per gram, it's a low-energy-dense food you can fill up on without going overboard on calories.
Keeps You Regular
Canary melons are an excellent source of fiber, with 10 grams per 1/2-cup serving. Not only does getting more fiber in your diet alleviate constipation, but people who eat more fiber have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Protects Against Free Radicals
Canary melons are high in vitamin C, meeting 50 percent of the daily value. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects you from cell-damaging free radicals. These substances are linked to aging and may also increase your risk of heart disease and cancer. They are formed when your body digests food or when you are exposed to environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke or radiation. Eating a fruit salad made with canary melon might help you fight the signs of aging while warding off chronic disease.
Supports Healthy Vision
In addition to being a good source of vitamin C, canary melons are also rich in vitamin A. A 1/2-cup serving meets 50 percent of the daily value for vitamin A. You need an adequate intake of vitamin A for eye health. Vitamin A is an important component of the protein in the eye that absorbs light, known as rhodopsin, which is necessary for sight. It also supports the proper functioning of the cornea.
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