Why does melon taste bitter and can you eat it?

Sugar melon season is a time for which many look forward to summer. And the greater the disappointment when instead of honey you feel bitterness. There are several reasons for the unusual taste of melon, ranging from errors in plant care to varietal characteristics.

In this article we will tell you why melon tastes bitter, whether it can be eaten and how to avoid buying such fruits.

Reasons for the bitter taste of melon

The main reason for the bitter taste of melon pulp is mistakes made during its cultivation. The taste deteriorates due to various diseases or the content of undesirable substances in the fruit. Also, certain varieties of melons do not have a sweet taste.

Varietal features

Bitterness in a melon does not always mean that it is a spoiled fruit. A separate variety is also called bitter melon - an Indian relative of our usual one. Momordica, otherwise Indian cucumber or Chinese melon, also belongs to the pumpkin family, but is in a different genus.

Reference. Momordicus translated from Latin means prickly, biting. This name was given to the culture because before ripening all parts of the plant are stinging, like nettles.

Summer residents fell in love with Momordica for its decorative qualities. The plant is a vine with beautiful large leaves, with green fruits that turn orange when ripe.

Bitter taste is normal for Momordiki., the fruit itself and its seeds are bitter. However, it is used in Asian dishes and in oriental medicine.Only unripe green fruits are used for food.

The pulp of unripe Momordiki is eaten raw, boiled, fried, canned. The ripe plant is most often used in folk medicine.

Errors during cultivation

Since melon is a heat-loving plant, it is important to take into account climatic conditions when planting. When grown in cold regions, fruits need special attention and proper care.

In the northern part of the country, seedlings, rather than seeds, are used for planting. Melon seeds are soaked in warm water, then planted in separate cups in special soil for seedlings of melons. It contains soil, humus and fertilizers. In cold regions, the plant is planted in closed ground.

Cold and high soil moisture cause significant damage to the crop. Plant seedlings grow well at a temperature of +25°C and a humidity of 60-70%. The site for planting melons is allocated a sunny, draft-free area. After the soil warms up to +18°C, the seedlings are planted in open or closed ground.

Diseases

Like most plants, if not properly cared for, melons run the risk of contracting various diseases.

Fusarium

Under unfavorable growing conditions, there is a high risk of infection of the fetus with this fungal disease. Although modern breeders are developing plants that are resistant to Fusarium, there are still some that are susceptible to the fungus.

There are several ways a melon can be infected - through contaminated seeds, through the root system, or through cracks and scratches on the surface of the skin.

Signs of fusarium:

• leaves too light;
• lethargy of stems and leaves;
• gray spots on leaves.

The taste of fruit affected by the fungus will be bitter and, in general, the fruit will lose its taste appeal.Therefore, diseased plants are destroyed and the soil is treated with a fungicide.

Reference. Planting in raised beds reduces the risk of plants becoming infected with diseases and pests.

Ankaroz

This type of fungus also gives the fruit a bitter taste. Basically, a melon with ankarosis visually looks normal, but when cut, the pulp around the seeds and the seeds themselves are an unpleasant brown color. On the fruit itself, brownish spots are visible throughout the surface.

Reference. China grows a quarter of the world's melon production - about 8 million tons.

Nitrate content

When potassium, calcium and ammonium combine chemically, nitrates are formed. They are often used on large farms as part of plant fertilizers. In small quantities, nitrates are used to enhance growth, control pests and for long-term fruit storage.

But their excessive use leads to negative consequences. This chemical compound accumulates in the melon pulp, gives an unpleasant taste and causes digestive problems in humans.

Reference. When growing melons near a roadway, there is a risk of getting a crop with an unpleasant taste, since the fruits absorb heavy metals and chemical compounds from exhaust gases.

Is it possible to eat melon if it is bitter?

There is an opinion that if the fruit’s flesh is partially bitter, then the rest with normal taste can be included in the diet.

But if the melon tastes bitter, it is not advisable to eat it. In most cases, it is impossible to know the cause of the unsweetened taste, so it is best to err on the side of caution. If the fruit contains a lot of nitrates or has begun to deteriorate, the person will experience serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract, including poisoning.

Chemical composition of bitter melon

Sweet varietal representatives of melons have a rich chemical composition. They contain vitamins A, C, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, beta-carotene, iron, cobalt. But the main indicator that affects the sweetness of a fruit is carbohydrates. Their reduced content in melon gives it bitterness.

It should be remembered that the chemical composition of fruits depends not only on the soil, but also on the quality and quantity of fertilizers. The regularity of watering and air temperature also affect the composition, including water content and sugar formation.

Reference. The sugar content in dessert varieties must be at least 13%, otherwise the melons will not be suitable for consumption.

Why are melon seeds bitter?

The seeds are usually bitter in the variety Momordica. Due to their chemical composition, they are used in oriental folk medicine.

Momordica seeds strengthen blood vessels and have a beneficial effect on the kidneys, liver, heart, and pancreas, but they should be used in moderation and with caution. Abuse of seeds may have negative consequences.

How to choose the right melon without bitterness

Features when choosing a fruit are:

1. Ripe melon has a pronounced pleasant fruity-honey aroma. If there is no such smell or it is weak, it is better not to eat such fruit.
2. The surface is smooth, without cracks, dents or scratches. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate through such holes, which negatively affects the quality of the product.
3. When tapping, a dull sound is heard.
4. The tail of a fresh fruit is dry, the skin springs slightly when pressed with a finger.

Rules for growing melon so that it does not taste bitter

Before you start growing, study the agricultural technology of melons.In cold regions, for example, melons are grown indoors. It is equally important to regularly water, loosen and feed the plant.

Water the melons with warm water about once a week, in the dry season - as the top layer of soil dries out. During the period when the ovaries are formed, watering is increased. Before fruit formation, the volume of water is, on the contrary, reduced, which allows for a sweeter harvest. The soil is loosened after each watering to a depth of no more than 12 cm.

After planting, the melon especially needs nutrients for the development of vines and leaves. To do this, a week after planting, the plant is watered with a solution of ammonium nitrate (20 g per bucket of water), and after two weeks it is fed with complex fertilizer. Wood ash is periodically added, which helps the fruits become sweeter.

Since melon is a heat-loving crop, it needs sufficient sunlight.

If there is a risk of infection of plants with fungi or other diseases on a plot of land, it is treated in advance with special preparations. For example, potassium chloride is used to prevent fusarium, and Bordeaux mixture is used against ascochyta.

After this procedure, it is advisable to wait about two months, and only then plant melons.

After planting, the plants are not treated with pesticides so as not to provoke changes in the fruits.

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Conclusion

A melon may taste unpleasant due to varietal characteristics, but most often it tastes bitter due to errors in cultivation, nitrate content, or past diseases.Since it is almost impossible to establish the cause, it is better to refuse to eat such fruits so as not to harm yourself.

In the garden bed, provide the plant with access to warmth and light, do not forget to water, feed and protect from diseases. And at the market, choose a melon with a honey aroma, a resounding echo and a solid, elastic skin.