Melon
Japanese Name:
メロン
Romaji Name:
meron
Description
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A melon is a large, sweet fruit with a thick rind and juicy, soft flesh inside. There are many types of melons, such as cantaloupe and honeydew, which are often eaten fresh or used in desserts and salads.
History
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Melons are believed to have originated in Africa and parts of Southwest Asia, especially Persia (modern-day Iran) and India.
Evidence suggests that melons were cultivated as early as 2000 BCE.
Ancient Egyptians grew and ate melons, and they were mentioned in early Greek and Roman texts as luxury fruits.
Melons were introduced to Europe through trade routes.
By the Middle Ages, they were being cultivated in Spain, Italy, and France.
In the 15th century, melons like cantaloupe became popular in Europe, especially in Italy, where the name "cantaloupe" comes from the town Cantalupo.
Melons were introduced to Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868).
Over time, Japanese farmers selectively bred melons to produce varieties with:
Perfect round shapes
High sugar content
Beautiful netted skin
This led to the development of luxury melons like:
Yubari King Melon (from Hokkaido)
Crown Melon (from Shizuoka)