Mirza melon, also known as torpedo melon, Mirzachul melon, and gulabi melon, is a cultivar of sweet
melon
A melon is any of various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae with sweet, edible, and fleshy fruit. The word "melon" can refer to either the plant or specifically to the fruit. Botanically, a melon is a kind of berry, specifically a " pepo". The ...
in the genus
Cucumis native to
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan (, ; uz, Ozbekiston, italic=yes / , ; russian: Узбекистан), officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( uz, Ozbekiston Respublikasi, italic=yes / ; russian: Республика Узбекистан), is a doubly landlocked co ...
and
Central Asia
Central Asia, also known as Middle Asia, is a region of Asia that stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to western China and Mongolia in the east, and from Afghanistan and Iran in the south to Russia in the north. It includes the former ...
and introduced to
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
.
Description
They are large, weighing up to 25 pounds (11.4 kilograms) and measuring up to 24 inches (61 centimeters) in length. They have an elongated shape and the rind is creamy yellow in color with beige streaking and the interior flesh is white and quite juicy. The flavor has been described as sweet and savory. In Uzbekistan, disfigured melons are typically harvested overripe and then sliced and sun-dried. The plant demands light and heat, and may be affected by
powdery mildew. The fruit bursts easily.
Naming
The name Mirza has Persian roots and means prince or high nobleman.
Availability
It is sometimes sold at various
farmers' markets throughout
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
and the seeds are available through several online sources.
See also
Muskmelon
References
{{Melons
Cucumis
Melons
Fruits originating in Asia
Edible fruits