Wild Matira Melons
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Matira melons are small in size, averaging 4 to 7 centimeters in diameter and 5 to 9 centimeters in length, and have a round to oval shape with blunt, curved ends. It is important to note that several types of wild melons are labeled under the name Matira in India, and some types may be larger, depending on growing conditions. The melon’s rind is semi-thin, smooth, taut, and firm, giving slightly when squeezed. The rind also showcases an olive green to muted green base coloring enveloped in narrow, dark green striping. The striping is unique to each fruit, and some striping may be broken or jagged. Underneath the rind, the flesh is dense, crisp, and aqueous with a slippery, crunchy, and succulent consistency. The flesh also features variegated hues of green and white and is filled with small and hard ivory seeds. Matira melons are edible raw and have a mild, tangy, green, and subtly sweet taste. The melons have a flavor reminiscent of cucumbers mixed with a light melon-like sweetness.
Seasons/Availability
Matira melons are available during India's monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, typically between September and early December.
Current Facts
Matira melons, botanically classified as Citrullus lanatus, is a general descriptor for several types of wild melons belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. The term Matira is primarily used in Rajasthan, a state in northwestern India, and any wild melon is collectively grouped under this descriptor. The wild melons are also known as Desert melons, Mateera, and Marwar ka Mava. Matira melons belong to the same species as watermelons and are said to be similar, but most growers comment that the two are slightly different, as seen in their flavor. Watermelons are sweeter in flavor, while Matira melons, or wild melons, have a tangier and subtly sweet taste. Several types of wild melons grow throughout northwestern and northeastern India, and these melons are typically used in their growing regions as a natural hydration source. Matira melons vary in size, depending on the season, growing environment, and age harvested at maturity. The melons in the photograph above were a small type of wild melon that remains small, even at maturity and has white flesh. It is said there are also other wild melons that grow slightly larger and sometimes can develop a light red hue. In Rajasthan, Matira melons are an anticipated seasonal delicacy favored for their versatility in fresh and cooked culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Matira melons have not been studied for their nutritional properties. Like other types of wild melons, the fruits may be a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract and vitamin C to strengthen the body's overall health. The melons are well-known as a natural hydration source in Rajasthan. The flesh is consumed on warm days to quench thirst, and the juice is drunk as a refreshing reprieve.
Applications
Matira melons have a mild, tangy, and subtly sweet taste suited for fresh and cooked preparations. Since Matira is a general descriptor for several types of wild melons, each melon may vary in its flavor and use. In general, Matira melons can be eaten raw and are appreciated for their juicy nature and tangy taste. The flesh can also be chopped into chutney or blended into drinks as a base for refreshing beverages. In Rajasthan, Matira melons are often used like a vegetable and added to curries, soups, and stir-fries. They are also fried in ghee as a side dish. Beyond the flesh, the seeds of some types of Matira melons are dried and ground into a powder. It is said this powder has an almond-like flavor and can be mixed with other flour to make bread and baked goods. The seeds can also be roasted and eaten as a snack. For extended use, the flesh can be dried and stored. Matira melons pair well with spices such as paprika, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and garlic, lime juice, and various types of rice. Matira melons will keep for several weeks when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Matira melons are deeply intertwined into the offering practices during Diwali in Marwar, northwestern India. Diwali is an annual celebration also known as the festival of lights. The five-day festival is held in mid-October or November, changing yearly based on the lunar calendar. The name Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning “rows of lighted lamps.” Light represents the triumph over darkness, and the celebration embodies the idea that good will prevail over evil. Diwali also often coincides with the harvest season. In Marwar, fruits naturally grown using rainfall are revered for their hydration properties and are frequently used as offerings and a sign of worship. On the fifth day of Diwali, the goddess Lakshmi is honored through the Lakshmi Puja. The ritual begins after sunset, and offerings are made to the goddess to welcome her into their homes. Matira melons are one of the most revered offerings in the Marwar region. In other pujas during the festival, the round shape of Matira melons can be used as a substitute for coconuts or other rounded fruits. Round fruits are said to represent the human head, and offering these items symbolizes offering the human ego to the gods to grow spiritually. Matira melons are widely sold during Diwali through street vendors and local growers, and the melons are considered one of the most traditional offering fruits of the region.
Geography/History
Matira melons are native to Rajasthan, a state in northwestern India, and have been growing wild since ancient times. The exact origins of the melons and when they were introduced to the region are unknown, but a few sources hypothesize that the melons may have arisen from the Bikaner region. In historical records, an event known as the Matira ki Raad, or the Matira War, was documented in 164 CE between two villages in the Bikaner and Nagaur states. The Silva and Jakhani villages shared a border and once had Matira melons growing across the border. Both villages claimed the melons as their own, and a dispute broke out between the two, fighting for the right to call Matira melons their native wild fruit. News of the dispute reached the ears of the kings, but before a diplomatic resolution could be made, the village of Jakhani was defeated, and the state of Bikaner was declared the home site of Matira melons. In the modern day, most of the Matira melons grown in Rajasthan are found in Marwar, also known as the Jodhpur region. Within Marwar, a portion of the region expands into the Thar Desert, a vast, arid, and subtropical landscape. During the monsoon season, rains descend onto the sandy region and give life to crops, including Matira melons. These crops are harvested for domestic consumption and are also exported on a small scale to other areas of India. Despite the seasonal demand for Matira melons within Rajasthan, the fruits are challenging to find and somewhat rare outside their growing regions. The Matira melons featured in the photograph above were sourced through a specialty vendor in the New Market in Dimapur, Nagaland, a state in northeastern India.
