Mashadi Melons
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Description/Taste
Mashadi melons are a medium to large varietal, averaging 22 to 30 centimeters in length, and have an elongated, straight shape with tapered, blunt, curved ends. The melon’s exterior can be smooth or slightly netted, and the rind is semi-thin, textured, and rough. The grey to tan netting is raised on the surface and irregular in appearance, with some portions thick and heavy while other parts are lighter and finer. The melon ripens from green to golden yellow hues and features distinct yellow-green striping that extends the length of the fruit. The surface may also be covered in some brown markings due to the variety’s delicate nature. Underneath the rind, the pale green to white flesh is aqueous, firm, crisp, succulent, and crunchy with a texture similar to jicama. The flesh also encases a small central seed cavity filled with tear-drop-shaped seeds suspended between stringy fibers. Select Mashadi melons that feel heavy for their size and showcase a slight give to the surface when squeezed. The melons are known for their musky, aromatic scent and are edible raw once ripe, contributing to a sugary, sweet, refreshing, subtly tangy, and honey-like taste. The seeds are also edible when cooked and have a mild, nutty, and subtly sweet flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Mashadi melons are available in the summer, typically between June and September.
Current Facts
Mashadi melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melo, are an Iranian variety belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. The elongated fruits have been cultivated for generations in Iran using traditional farming practices of seed selection, organic maintenance, and hand harvest. The variety has also expanded in cultivation to regions throughout the Middle East for domestic sales and export. Mashadi melons are a type of Persian melon favored for their juicy flesh and sweet, refreshing flavor. In markets throughout the Middle East, Mashadi melons are known under several names, including Sweet melon, Mashhad melon, Persian Sweet melon, and Kharbozeh Mashadi, with kharbozeh simply meaning “melon.” The variety is eaten fresh and are often purchased for their culinary and medicinal applications. In Iran, Mashadi melons are given as seasonal summer gifts to friends, families, and coworkers, and the fragrant melons are neatly stacked in large piles in markets to attract consumer attention. Mashadi melons are only available for a few months each year and the fruits have a short shelf life once picked, making them a cherished but fleeting delicacy.
Nutritional Value
Mashadi melons are valued as a hydration source in Iran as the melon’s flesh contains high water content. Slices of the melon are consumed on hot days as a refreshing reprieve, and it is believed that the flesh will help improve circulation and digestion while regulating temperature. Mashadi melons are also a source of potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and various antioxidants to reduce inflammation.
Applications
Mashadi melons have a sweet, musky, and aromatic nature suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The melons should be thoroughly washed with soap and water to remove any lingering bacteria that may be found on the surface before they are opened. Once prepped, Mashadi melons are sliced and traditionally consumed straight out of hand as a snack or dessert. The sweet melons are sometimes sprinkled with salt or sugar for enhanced flavoring. Mashadi melons can also be cubed, diced, or chopped and tossed into salads, mixed into yogurt, or added to fruit medleys. In Iran, Mashadi melons are blended into sharbat, a drink comprised of fruit, water, sugar, and aromatics such as ginger or mint. The beverage is often consumed on hot days as a refreshment from the heat and is viewed as a source of hydration. The variety is also blended and frozen into popsicles, sorbets, and ice cream. Try incorporating Mashadi melons into smoothie recipes for a sweet taste. The melons can also be used in any recipe calling for Persian melons or sweet melon. During Shab-e-Yalda, also known as Yalda Night, melons are consumed as a purifying food and method to protect against sickness. Yalda Night is annually celebrated on the longest night of the year throughout Iran, typically in December, and is an occasion celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Melons are a favored ingredient in several traditional dishes served throughout the holiday for their nourishing and cleansing nature. In addition to the flesh, Mashadi melon seeds are cleaned, roasted, and salted as a snack. The seeds are sold in fresh markets and through online retailers. Mashadi melon seeds can be eaten out of hand after roasting, blended into smoothies, or added to dried fruit and nut mixes. Mashadi melons pair well with nuts such as pistachios, almonds, and hazelnuts, ginger, and herbs including tarragon, cilantro, and basil. Whole, unopened Mashadi melons should be ripened at room temperature in a cool, dry, and dark location. Once ripe, it is recommended to immediately consume the melons for the best quality and flavor. Opened Mashadi melons can be stored in a sealed container for a few days in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Mashadi melons are often referenced in various Iranian literary texts. The ancient melon variety has been present throughout several generations and are seen as a cultural symbol of Iran. In various poems and works, it is said the melon has been used as a representation of nature, sweetness, and fleeting beauty. Mashadi melons are also mentioned in a Persian idiom for accepting or taking responsibility for the consequences of actions. The idiom roughly translates from Persian to “Harki kharbozeh mikhoreh, bayad paayeh larzesham beshineh" or “Har ki kharboze mikhordad, paye larzesh ham mishine” to mean “Anyone who eats melons should bear its tremors” or “Whoever eats kharbozek must take the risk of shivering too.” Mashadi melons can sometimes cause an upset stomach due to their high sugar content if consumed in large quantities. The high water content can also cool the body to make it feel cold if eaten in excess, causing shivers. Like the consequences of eating too much melon, this idiom references that the consequences of actions must be accepted at any time in life.
Geography/History
Mashadi melons are native to Iran and are notably cultivated in the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran. Mashhad is located in the Kashaf River Valley between two mountain ranges and is an ideal region for agriculture. The region also has hot summers and cool nights, creating temperature fluctuation to help the melons develop their high sugar content. The exact history of Mashadi melons is unknown. The variety is believed to be very old and has been cultivated in Iran for centuries. In the modern day, Mashadi melons are widely produced throughout Iran and are grown in the provinces of Kohorasan, Khuzestan, and Isfahan. The variety is also cultivated throughout the Middle East, including Oman and the United Arab Emirates, and are sold domestically and exported. The Mashadi melons featured in the photograph above were sourced through the Waterfront Central Market in the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
