Watermelon is a popular fruit of Vietnam, especially in the summer, used mainly for refreshment, quenching thirst and loved by all families.
The Legend of Mai An Tiem And Watermelon
Anyone who has heard of Vietnamese folk tales must also know the story of Mai An Tiem – the first person to sow delicious watermelon seeds.
In the past – under the 18th Hung Kings, there was a young man named Mai An Tiem. Mai An Tiem was quick, resourceful, and hardworking, so she was loved by the king, and even married the king’s adopted daughter. Despite being favored, he still worked hard, unexpectedly relying on the king’s perks. However, his good intentions were misinterpreted, falsified and he was exiled to the desert island. Undeterred, he believes that as long as he works hard, he will live.
Photo: khooplus.com.vn
One day by chance, Mai An Tiem discovered that a flock of birds from the West had come to the shore and were eating a black nut. Mai An Tiem thought: “If a bird can eat this seed, anyone can eat it!”. Thinking so, Mai An Tiem immediately gathered all the seeds and planted them in the ground. Day after day, he worked hard to fertilize the garden. And when it was time to harvest, Mai An Tiem and his wife and children brought home all the ripe fruits. When they ate the fruit, they found that the fruit was very succulent, sweet, and delicious. This is our watermelon for today.
Diversity
There are quite a few varieties of watermelon in Vietnam, some imported and some original.
Yellow rind watermelon: the rind is yellow instead of the usual green. However, the flesh of the melon remains unchanged – red. This melon is very tasty and sweet.
Photo: nhnghiepvathuonghieu.vn
Tiny Watermelon: also known as Cucumber Watermelon (Dua Hau Chuot), belongs to the family of vines. Tiny melon flesh is light green, crispy like a cucumber and slightly acidic.
Photo: zingnew.vn
Cream Fleshed Suika: white fleshed watermelon. This type of melon is loved for its fancy creamy white filling and cool, slightly sweet taste. Suika Cream Fleshed is sold at extremely soft prices.
Photo: danviet.vn
Pepino watermelon: also known as yellow striped melon, is a hybrid between watermelon and pear melon.
Photo: vietnamnet.vn
How to eat
Due to its huge size and rock-hard skin, watermelons are quite difficult to eat. You must use strength and force to break the outside of a watermelon to enjoy the rewarding sweetness of the inside. First, we cut the melon into 4 equal parts with a sharp knife, then continue to cut each part into smaller pieces. Next, carefully remove the skin and flesh of the melon with a knife, place on a plate and we can enjoy this energetic summer fruit.
Photo: thuoccdantoc.org
Where is watermelon grown in Vietnam?
As the signature fruit of summer, hot and dry weather is the best time to plant watermelons. For this reason, watermelon gardens are often found in the South of Vietnam where there is an eternal summer. However, this plant is well adapted to tropical weather conditions in Vietnam, so it can be grown all year round in almost all parts of the country.
Some notable watermelon growing areas: Gia Lai, Nghe An, Da Lat, Saigon…
Benefits of watermelon
Watermelon has a high water content, is rich in vitamins and minerals, is good for overall health and is especially suitable for summer days. Eating watermelon regularly can reduce symptoms of dehydration after vigorous exercise, limit cramps, dizziness. Admittedly, watermelon also contains a lot of lycopene, which is good for the heart, reduces the risk of stroke, and prevents high blood pressure.
Watermelon dish
Photo: vietgiaitri.com
Hot summer is coming, natural juice is definitely an indispensable nutritional supplement for the body, in which watermelon is a very popular fruit material. Can be mixed into watermelon juice, watermelon smoothie or combined with traditional medicine such as new medicine, honeysuckle, chrysanthemum to make a remedy for heat, refreshment, anti-dehydration, increase the vitality of the body.
Source: https://traveland.com.vn
