Mmmarvelous Melons
Melons are a summer favorite, but can be enjoyed throughout the year because they can be grown almost anywhere in California, due to the variety in climates. Thump the rind to check for ripeness and quality before slicing the melon open to see the beautiful colors inside.
Honeydew melons are a variety of muskmelon. Its botanical name is Cucumis melo. These melons have a waxy smooth rind that is creamy white to yellow in color. Inside, the flesh is green. The average honeydew melon weighs between four and eight pounds.
A ½ cup serving contains 64 calories and is high in vitamin C.
The scientific botanical name for cantaloupe is Cancumis melo. Cantaloupes were named after the Roman town of Cantalupo. Columbus brought cantaloupe seeds to the New World on his second voyage and reported their cultivation on his return. California produces approximately 75 percent of the nation’s cantaloupes. The melon has a netted rind, which means it has a hard rind with deep grooves.
A ½ cup serving contains 50 calories and is high in vitamins A and C.
Watermelons, known botanically as Citrullus lanatus, are related to cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash, and are grown in more than 96 countries worldwide. The first watermelon originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. Seedless watermelons are a hybrid variety and were developed in the 1940s by a Japanese scientist.
A ½ cup serving contains 23 calories and contains vitamins A, C, potassium, and B6.
A field of watermelons can produce up to 40 tons per acre.
In the Know 'bout H20
Some melons, such as watermelons, are 90 percent water.
Recipe Corner
Watermelon Lemonade
6 cups watermelon, cubed
1 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
½ cup lemon juice
Place watermelon and water in blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a pitcher. Add lemon juice and sugar, stir until sugar is dissolved. Chill and serve over ice. Melon and water mixture may be strained. Serves 8
Activity
• To serve your entire class, how much of each ingredient do you need?
• How many times will you need to repeat the recipe steps?
• Did you have any leftovers? How many servings remained?
• What nutrients are in your watermelon lemonade?
Standards: Mathematics – Grade 3: Number Sense 2.4, 3.2; Grade 5: Number Sense 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5; Grade 6: Number Sense 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Health Education – Grade 5: 5.1.N
Sources: National Watermelon Promotion Board
www.watermelon.org, Western Growers www.
producepedia.com, California Bountiful
www.californiabountiful.com, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
www.ucanr.org
Activity
Look in your local newspaper for grocery advertisements. How many varieties of melons can you find? List them.
Compare and contrast prices of honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons, and others.
Standards: ELA – Grade 4: Reading 2.1; Grade 5: Reading 2.1; Grade 8: Reading 2.1. Mathematics – Grade 4: Number Sense (NS) 1.2, 2.1; Grade 5: NS 1.2, 2.2
Activity
Melon Haiku
Look at a melon of your choice and write down what you see. Write a haiku describing the melon. A haiku is a 3-line poem consisting of 17 syllables.
Line 1 – 5 syllables Line 2 – 7 syllables Line 3 – 5 syllables
Example: A happy melon Basking in the bright warm sun Growing like a weed
Standards: ELA – Grade 3: Writing Applications 2.2; Grade 4: Written and Oral 1.2; Grade 5: Writing Strategies 1.2, Written and Oral 1.3
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