Why is the melon pink inside and is it possible to eat it?

Sometimes it happens that after buying a melon, you find pink flesh at home. Is it possible to eat it and what causes the change in natural color? Does the pink color affect the taste and does this indicate harmful substances inside the fruit? We'll figure it out in the article.

Why is a melon pink inside?

Often, as soon as people see changes in the pulp, people throw away the melon. And in vain, because usually this is a sign of completely harmless phenomena, therefore, you should take a closer look at this fruit. The main reasons for the colored metamorphosis of the pulp are cross-pollination, characteristics of the variety and the presence of nitrates.

Cross-pollination

This phenomenon is the transfer of pollen from one plant to another by wind or insects., due to which the pollinated bush acquires the characteristics of a different variety. Sometimes this leads to a change in the taste, color and shape of plants.

Melon is one of the most frequently pollinated plants and is therefore capable of change.. It is almost impossible to avoid this; the only option is to pollinate the flowers by hand, but many farmers do not engage in such a troublesome task, and therefore there are many melons on the market with foreign characteristics.

Pink flesh may indicate the proximity of the melon to watermelons or strawberries. In any case, there will be no significant changes in taste, except perhaps a slight aroma or, in extreme cases, an aftertaste. If there are no longer any suspicious signs in the melon, it is safe to eat.

Other melon varieties:

Fragrant and tasty melon “Hasanka”

Popular melon "Collective Farmer"

Uzbek autumn melon “Granny”

Features of the variety

There are many hybrids of melon with vegetables, fruits and even berries. Some of them are the result of a long and painstaking selection by scientists; they are considered unique and rare.

Here are some varieties of melons with pink flesh:

1. Italian beauty. It has small, round fruits and a green-orange rind. They weigh no more than 500 g. The pulp is light pink, has a dense, oily consistency, and a sweet taste with notes of honey.
2. Strawberry. The weight of the fruits of this variety can reach 2 kg, their peel is smooth and thin, light in color. The shape resembles a strawberry. The flesh is salmon-colored, sweet and juicy, has a characteristic aroma, and literally melts in your mouth.
3. Strawberry giant. The fruits are large, weighing from 2 to 4 kg, the rind is smooth, rich orange in color, reminiscent of a peeled orange. The pulp is pink in color, oily consistency, sweet, with a taste of honey. If you are lucky enough to buy such a melon, do not doubt its taste and quality, because the variety is considered unique and rare, and many gardeners hunt for it.
4. Pineapple (on the picture). The oblong fruits have pinkish flesh with a delicate pineapple taste and a distinct aroma. The consistency is juicy and dense.

Nitrates and other substances

Melon is often “fed” with nitrates and other chemical fertilizers in order to gain weight and quickly ripen. A distinctive sign of the presence of nitrates - a change in the color of the melon in some places to bright pink; such changes near the tail area should be especially alarming.

But other signs indicate the presence of chemicals inside the fetus: rotten individual parts, lack of taste or, conversely, too pronounced, “artificial” taste.Cloudy, gray or green fibers also indicate this.

If there is a cut melon on the counter, pay attention to the layer between the peel and the pulp: if it is yellow, then this is evidence of the use of nitrate, if green - nitrates.

Is it possible to eat this melon?

If you do not notice any other signs of concern other than the pink flesh, the fruit is safe to eat.. Most likely you came across a cross-pollinated or hybrid melon.

Important! If the flesh is pink, it should be so in all places, but if color changes are noticeable only in fragments, this is a clear signal that it is unsuitable for consumption.

If the melon pulp is of other colors

In addition to pink, you can expect orange and even transparent pulp in a cut melon. Usually this is also the result of hybridization or cross-pollination.

Read also:

What is good about Kassaba melon, how to choose and grow it

Sweet and aromatic Uzbek melon “Gulyabi”

Orange

Usually such pulp is found in hybrid fruits. The orange color indicates a high content of beta-carotene or provitamin A inside. This substance is responsible for the renewal of the body, its youth, and for the resorption of atherosclerotic plaques inside the vessels. There are many varieties with this flesh color:

1. Cantaloupe or honeydew melon (photo on the right). Round green fruits with dense pulp.
2. Charente. Yellow-gray peel with green longitudinal stripes, rich orange flesh.
3. Iroquois. The peel is gray, dense and hard. A distinctive feature is a convex ornament throughout the crust.
4. Orange. Hard skin with ornaments over the entire surface and longitudinal green stripes. The pulp is very sweet and has a characteristic aroma.
5. Charlotte. Round fruits with a hard orange rind, sugary and tender pulp. A very juicy variety.
6. Portent. These fruits have a rich melon aroma and dense pulp. The peel is gray-yellow, with a relief pattern.

It is worth keeping in mind that melons with orange pulp are very sweet and are contraindicated for diabetics.

Transparent

This color indicates that the melon is crossed or pollinated with apples, pears or cucumbers. This fruit does not pose a health hazard, but is highly watery and juicy, with a unique taste.

Note. The melon should be plain. If transparency is observed only in some parts of the fruit, it is better to discard it.

Melon varieties with transparent pulp:

1. Amal. Elongated fruit shape, weight 3-4 kg. The pulp is transparent and aromatic.
2. Torpedo. Specific vanilla aroma and sweet, sugary taste. The skin is sand-colored with yellow spots.
3. Pepino (photo above). Sweet and sour taste and watery consistency. The peel has a bright yellow color.

Conclusion

The rules for choosing high-quality and tasty melon are simple and have long been known. But, if, following them, you still come across a “fruit with a surprise”, we recommend that you do not throw it away, but carefully examine it. It is quite possible that you just accidentally acquired a hybrid with an unusual taste and color.