Interesting Facts About Kiwano Fruit
Kiwano called “Horned Melon”
Kiwano melons, botanically classified as “ Cucumis metuliferus ”
ORIGIN OF KIWANO FRUIT
Cucumis metuliferus is native to Southern Africa. It has annual vine in the cucumber and melon family, Cucurbitaceae an exotic fruit. Kiwano Melon can be grown in the warmer regions of the United States.
It is found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and California.
Why It Named as Kiwano
“Kiwano” ( Horned Melon) Due to its similar consistency and appearance to kiwi. However, this fruit is not biologically linked to kiwi and is actually closer in nutritive and evolutionary terms to cucumber and zucchini. The fruit has horn-like spines, hence the name “horned melon”.
APPEARANCE OF KIWANO
- Kiwano melons are small to medium-sized fruits, averaging 10 to 20 centimeters in length, and have a uniform, oval shape with blunt, curved ends
- The melon’s rind is thick, leathery, semi-shiny, plump, and firm, covered in small, raised spines that protrude from all angles.
- The rind also transitions from green to golden yellow-orange when ripe, overlaid with dark orange speckling, mottling, and spots.
- The Fruit flesh is comprised of many small cream-colored seeds suspended in an emerald green, jelly-like liquid.
- The seeds are somewhat hard and crunchy, and each seed is typically encased in a slippery layer of soft flesh.
- The green liquid flesh has a viscous, watery texture reminiscent of passion fruit. Kiwano melons are determined ripe when the skin exhibits bright yellow-orange hues.
- The flesh and seeds have a very mild, subtly sweet, and tangy taste with faint notes of cucumber, kiwi, banana, lime, and zucchini.
TASTES OF KIWANO
The flavor of kiwano melon is mild and slightly sweet. It tastes similar to its close relative, the cucumber. When it’s very ripe, you may be able to detect a hint of banana flavor, too
VARIETIES OF KIWANO
There is only one variety of kiwano but you may see it called different names in addition to horned melon. The fruit is also sometimes called spiked melon or jelly melon.
OTHER NAMES OF KIWANO
Horned melon, African horned cucumber, kiwano, jelly melon, blowfish fruit, African Horned melon, Horned cucumber, Spiked Melon, Blowfish fruit, Hedged gourd .
NUTRITIONAL CONTENTS OF KIWANO
Some of the vitamins that Horned Melon contains are Vitamin A, vitamin C, Vitamin E, Folate, Pyridoxine, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamin, Riboflavin and Niacin. Horned Melon also contains dietary fiber, sodium and potassium. Apart from this Horned Melon also contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc manganese, copper, selenium and phosphorus. The best part of the Horned Melon is, it contains zero cholesterol.
A single kiwano melon (209 grams) provides the following nutrients Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Calories:92
- Carbs:16 grams
- Protein:7 grams
- Fat:6 grams
- Sodium:7grams
- Vitamin C:18% of the (RDI)
- Vitamin A: 6% of the RDI
- Vitamin B6:7% of the RDI
- Magnesium:21% of the RDI
- Iron:13% of the RDI
- Phosphorus:8% of the RDI
- Zinc:7% of the RDI
- Potassium:5% of the RDI
- Calcium:3% of the RDI
Interesting Facts About Kiwano Fruit
Maintains Heart Health: Kiwano seeds contain linoleic acid that strengthens the heart muscles and helps to improve your overall cardiovascular health. The unsaturated omega-six fatty acids help people dealing with cardiac issues to manage their condition balances cholesterol levels and prevent heart complications.
Uplifts Brain Function: Kiwano include high amount of sodium, an element known to enhance brain function. The vitamin E in Kiwano improves brain function and slows down neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Boosts Immunity: Vitamin C in Kiwano helps to improve the production of blood cells thus result in improving your immune system .The antioxidant beta-carotene in Kiwano protect your body from the onset of any diseases. Kiwano also provide disease-fighting anti-bodies boost your immune system and reduce inflammation caused by viral and bateria.
Manages Iron Deficiency: Kiwano melon is a rich source of iron, help in synthesis of hemoglobin molecules in the red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the lungs and tissues.Its proven that Kiwano juice avoids anemia.
Package of Antioxidant: The high antioxidant content in kiwano keep the blood vessels and nerves healthy , flushes out carcinogenic substances from the body. The nutrients in this fruit protect you from various critical illnesses, including cancer and heart diseases.
Promotes Metabolism: Kiwano has a good amount of zinc that improve your metabolic processes also aid the production of protein. The mineral and antioxidant present in Kiwano also helps by repairing wounds and producing blood cells.
Maintains Sugar Levels: Horned Melon is very low in glycemic index, which helps to slow down the sugar absorption in our blood stream and reduce the sugar level.Horned Melon helps to reduce the risk of diabetes.
Lowers Blood Pressure: Horned Melon is highly rich in potassium which helps to reduce the blood pressure. Potassium act as a vasodilator, thus reduce the pressure from the cardiovascular system. consumption of Horned Melon can reduce the risk of hypertension.
Recovery from Heat Stroke: Kiwano fruit is rich in sodium and water, ensuring you stay hydrated in case you have a stroke.
Prevent from Cancer: Kiwano Fruit is powerful anti-carcinogenic properties. The high amounts of antioxidants in Horned Melon fights off the free radicals that can cause mutations of the healthy cells, turning them into cancerous cells.
Improves Digestive Health: Horned Melon contain high amount of antibacterial and antiviral properties, which is very beneficial to prevent various types of digestive tract infection and it also helps to prevent the oxidative damage caused by free radical.Horned Melon is highly rich in dietary fiber, which is very useful for our digestive health and it also helps to prevent various types of digestive problem, such as constipation, bloating, flatulence, etc.