Among the huge variety of varieties of gourds in Russia, Astrakhan watermelon is very popular. What is this product good for and why are its customers looking for on store shelves? These questions must be answered gradually.
Interesting details
Astrakhan watermelon is a product that has been grown in Russia for several centuries. Everything happened by accident, when merchants from distant Persia in the 12th century brought their goods for sale. Their path ran through the boundless Astrakhan steppes. That's when the locals got acquainted with the new product. It turned out that the fertile land here is perfect for growing an unusual culture. The case began to gradually gain momentum. And already in the 16th century for the first time the Astrakhan watermelon became a culture of its own production. Then this juicy outlandish berry was gladly eaten by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. She was specially brought to the table of the great monarch. Perhaps, since then, rounded striped fruits have firmly entered our lives. Thanks to the efforts of local farmers, they have become more accessible over time. And for Astrakhan itself, watermelon is now not just a product or an ordinary melon culture, but a real symbol of the city.
Product benefits
Few people know that Astrakhan watermelon, like any other representative of this species, can have a therapeutic effect on the human body. Doctors recommend using it to people suffering from fairly serious diseases. Oddly enough, but this product helps to restore the functioning of the kidneys, liver and gall bladder. It is used for gout, nosebleeds, anemia, and even heart disease. The gentle pulp of watermelon can cleanse the kidneys and remove harmful sand from them. Sometimes she even copes with small stones. Nutritionists advise to arrange fasting days once a week to combat overweight and obesity. At this time, it is recommended to eat up to three kilograms of pulp. True, this method of prevention should not be abused. For women who want to prolong their youth, experts advise drinking tea from watermelon peels. Two teaspoons of raw materials per glass of boiling water will help maintain complexion and give the skin the desired elasticity.
Growing conditions
Astrakhan watermelons, when ripe, turn into a fruit that has a round, and sometimes slightly oblong, shape. Usually from the moment of germination, this should take from 70 to 81 days. The product resembles a ball with a smooth surface on which a pattern of dark green stripes in the form of fancy spikes is applied. It has a fiery red flesh with a pronounced sweet taste. Over the years, breeders have managed to create several hybrids of the famous variety. Among them there are early maturing individuals (Lolita, Zoryanka, Photon), as well as products of early maturity (Lunar, Rapid, Skorik, Melon Alice). In the first, maturity is already on the 55th day. The second after 60 days become completely ready for use. Both of them are highly transportable and retain their pristine freshness for a whole month. This quality is considered especially valuable, because with its help it becomes possible to transport Astrakhan watermelons when they ripen, for sale in the most remote corners of the country.
Should know
Watermelons of the Astrakhan region have become a real brand for her. Even the name of the region is already associated mainly with this melon culture. Experts say that watermelons grown here are superior in all respects to 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, find out how and where in our country an unusual berry appeared. The museum is visited by a huge number of tourists. A whole exposition with ancient documents, unique photographs and live specimens has been developed for them. Local guides are real fans of their craft. In a short time they will provide those present with all the known information about watermelons. Such an informative lecture will be interesting even for casual visitors.
Distinctive features
Many buyers in the markets or store shelves choose 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 by which you can accurately determine the quality representative of this family. If everything is clear regarding the shape and color, then the pulp should be said separately. Everyone is used to the fact that a good watermelon must be red. This belief was recently refuted by Russian experts. Using experimental selection, they bred a variety of berries with pulp of orange and even yellow color. In taste, these representatives are no worse. They are just as sweet and fragrant. The change in color in them depends only on the increased content of carotene. In addition, do not forget about the famous "piglet". This is a small yellow speck on the peel, which indicates that the fetus was in contact with the ground. And this means that he ripened on his own. Dry tail and black seeds, in turn, indicate the stage of ripeness. Additionally, this can be checked by sound. In a mature fetus, it is sonorous, and with an incision, a characteristic crack is heard.
A bit of history
Astrakhan watermelons in Moscow appeared a long time ago. When in the beginning of the 18th century Peter the Great first tried this berry, he was simply amazed. The unusual appearance and wonderful taste interested the emperor so much that he demanded to start growing this product in the fields near Moscow. True, the local climate was completely unsuitable for a thermophilic culture. The fruits ripened for a long time and reluctantly. After that, at the behest of the tsar, they continued to grow them in the Astrakhan province, and were brought to Moscow annually. Since then, little has changed. Juicy watermelons are still being taken to the capital. True, some argue that the quality of the product is noticeably deteriorating. There are cases when berries for early ripening were “pumped” with nitrate. Such stimulants are officially banned. But there are separate farms that do not disdain anything to increase incomes by increasing yields. There is a special laboratory in the capital, the work of which is aimed at restricting the import of dangerous products into the city’s markets and suppressing any attempts of this kind.