What is so good about Astrakhan watermelon?

Among the huge variety of melon cultivars in Russia, the Astrakhan watermelon is very popular. What is good about this product and why are its customers looking for on the shelves of stores? Answer these questions gradually.

Interesting details

The Astrakhan watermelon is a product that has been grown in Russia for several centuries. It all happened quite by accident, when traders from distant Persia were still selling their goods in the 12th century. Their way ran through the endless Astrakhan steppes. Then the locals got acquainted with the new product. It turned out that the local fertile land is perfect for growing an unusual culture. The business began to gain momentum gradually. And already in the 16th century for the first time the Astrakhan watermelon became a culture of its own production. Then this juicy strange berry with pleasure was eaten by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. She was specially taken to the table of the great monarch. Perhaps, it is since then that the round striped fruits have firmly entered our life. Due to the efforts of local crop growers, they became more accessible over time. And for Astrakhan itself watermelon is no longer just a product or a common melon culture, but a real symbol of the city.

Product Benefits

Few people know that the Astrakhan watermelon, like any other representative of this species, can have a curative effect on the human body. Doctors recommend to use it for people suffering from quite serious diseases. Strangely enough, but this product helps restore the kidneys, liver and gallbladder. It is used for gout, nosebleeds, anemia and even heart disease. The tender pulp of watermelon can clean the kidneys and remove harmful sand from them. Sometimes she even cope with small stones. Nutritionists advise to deal with obesity and obesity once a week, unloading days. At this time it is recommended to eat up to three kilograms of pulp. However, this method of prevention should not be abused. Women who want to prolong their youth, experts advise drinking tea from watermelon crusts. Two teaspoons of raw materials for a glass of boiling water will help preserve the complexion and give the skin the desired firmness.

Growth conditions

Astrakhan watermelons, when ripe, turn into a fruit that has a round, and sometimes slightly oblong form. Usually, from the moment of emergence, it must pass from 70 to 81 days. The product resembles a ball with a smooth surface, on which is drawn a pattern of dark green stripes in the form of freakish thorns. His pulp is fiery red with a pronounced sweet taste. For many years the breeders managed to create several hybrids of the famous variety. Among them there are as early-ripening individuals (Lolita, Zoryanka, Photon), and products of early maturity (Lunny, Rapid, Skoryk, Melon Alisa). The first maturity comes on the 55th day. The second after 60 days become fully ready for use. Both of them have high transportability and for the whole month they preserve their original freshness. This quality is considered particularly valuable, because with his help it becomes possible to transport Astrakhan watermelons when they ripen, for sale to the most remote corners of the country.

You should know

Watermelons of the Astrakhan region have become for her a real brand. Even the name of the region is already associated, mainly with this melon culture. Experts argue that the watermelons grown here in all respects outperform the representatives of other domestic regions and even some European countries. Here in the small Volga town of Kamyzyak there is even a real museum, the main exhibit of which is the notorious watermelon. Visitors can get acquainted with the history of this culture, learn how and where an unusual berry appeared in our country. The museum is visited by a huge number of tourists. For them, a whole exposition with ancient documents, unique photographs and live specimens was developed. Local guides are real fans of their business. In a short time they will provide the public with all the known information about watermelons. This cognitive lecture will be of interest even to casual visitors.

Distinctive features

Many buyers in the markets or store shelves choose exactly Astrakhan watermelons. How to distinguish them from other varieties? This question interests many. Any product must be able to choose. There are a number of indicators on which you can accurately determine the qualitative representative of this family. If the shape and color is clear, then the pulp should be said separately. Everyone is used to the idea that a good watermelon must be red. This belief was recently refuted by Russian specialists. They selected a variety of berries with a pulp of orange and even yellow color by the method of experimental selection. By taste, these representatives are no worse. They are just as sweet and fragrant. The change in the shade in them depends only on the increased content of carotene. In addition, do not forget about the famous "penny". This is a small yellow spot on the skin, which indicates that the fruit has touched the ground. And this means that he ripened independently. Dry ponytail and black seeds, in turn, speak about the ripeness stage. Additionally it can be checked by sound. In a mature fetus, it is sonorous, and when cracked a characteristic crackle is produced.

A bit of history

Astrakhan watermelons in Moscow appeared long ago. When Peter the Great first tried this berry in the early 18th century, he was simply amazed. Unusual appearance and wonderful taste interested the emperor so much that he demanded to start growing this product in the Moscow region. True, the local climate turned out to be completely unsuitable for a thermophilic culture. Fruits ripened long and reluctantly. After that, at the behest of the tsar, they were continued to grow in the Astrakhan province, and brought to Moscow every year. Since then, little has changed. Juicy watermelons are still being taken to the capital. True, some argue that the quality of the product is deteriorating noticeably. There are cases when berries for "early maturing" were "pumped" with saltpetre. Such stimulants are officially banned. But there are separate farms that do not disdain anything to increase incomes by increasing yields. In the capital, there is a special laboratory, whose work is aimed at limiting the import of dangerous products to the markets of the city and to stop any attempts of this kind.