Just at the Ripe Time: Honeydew

Scientific Name: Cucumis melo

Honeydews or Honeymelon are cultivated in France and Algeria many years ago and later was produced in China. Other names for Honeydew include: Bailan melon, Wallace melon and Winter melon (because they ripen very slow and can only be harvested during late Fall). Honeydews are round in shape, sometimes a bit oval and the flesh is colored slightly yellowish to green unlike the orange-y counterpart, which is the Canteloupe. The flesh is very sweet and this fruit is mostly used in salads and beverages.

They are very good in maintain blood pressure levels and is also rich in Vitamin C. It also contain potassium and Vitamin B-6. It's great for adding moisture to skin and help promote good digestion

Honeydews are often used in fresh fruit salads. It can be plain Hoeneydew with cream or we can do a medley salad with Canteloupe and Watermelon. Just thinking of it really makes me excited!~ Honeydews can also be made into smoothies or shakes and can be added as a flavoring for pastries. You can even add this in meat dishes just for some twisties : )

~Let's live healthy : )

Just at the Ripe Time: Bananas

Scientific Name: Musa acuminata

The Banana plant is a big herb that has very large leaves and this plant can be found in every tropical country. Bananas have a wide variety of species and the fruit when ripe, comes in different colors such as red, green, brown and the common yellow. The plant (yes, it is not a tree) grows about 10 feet tall and produces a big flower which is called "Banana Heart"  and the fruit develops from inside the flower until it grows enough to be harvested. They are in clusters forming from the "arm" which is developed in the middle of the flower then these arms has "hands" where each Banana is held. Bananas are propagated by replanting the offshoots or as they call it "corns". They grow well under full sunlight and the soil should be well watered. Each plant must be planted about 2.55 meters apart since the leaves become very large when matured.

Bananas are rich in Potassium and can be eaten daily. It also container high amounts of fiber, Vitamin C and antioxidants.

There are many ways to use Bananas. It can be made into cakes, smoothies and can also be added in dishes. One popular snack from my hometown made from Bananas is the Rebusao Saging (Sugar-glazed Bananas). This is made by deep frying sliced Bananas until brown then coat with caramelized sugar. Another one is the Dulce Saging (Sweet Bananas), made by simmering sliced Bananas with sugar syrup and flavoring.

Just at the Ripe Time: Watermelon

Scientific Name: Citrullus lanatus

Watermelons existed millions of years ago in Egypt then later on exported to China and India. It was said that this fruit was originated from Africa. Watermelon has 93% water, and that's where the name came from. It has a smooth but hard covering and usually the color ranges from light to dark green. In some species, they also come in stripes or spots. The inner part of the fruit is usually colored pink to red but there are yellow, orange and white. It is sweet and has many seeds. The stems are somewhat hairy. crawls and produce lobe-like leaves that are colored green. The flowers of Watermelon are yellow in color and this flowers are unisexual which means the plant produces male and female flowers.

Watermelon has lots of antioxidants because it is rich in Vitamin C, A and B6. It is said that eating Watermelon daily can help prevent asthma, reduce high blood pressure, indigestion and inflammation. Since it has lots of water in it, this helps hydrate the body during hot seasons.

It is often used as juice and shakes but it can also be added to salads, cakes and other pastries. Watermelon can also be grilled and served hot :) Try it! I know i will

Just at the Ripe Time: Mangoes

Scientific Name: Magnifera

Mangoes are abundant in tropical countries such as Asia and is a native to the Indian subcontinents. It is one the fruits that is widely cultivated and spread throughout the world. It was first cultivated in the South Asia over thousands of years. The English word Mango is derived from the Tamil word "mankay" or "mangai". In the 18th century "Mango" means "to pickle" because during the time the Mangoes were imported to America, these are needed to be pickled since refrigerators were not yet common. The trees grow about 150 feet and the leaves are dark green or evergreen in color. The leaves are glossy when young, mostly yellowish and dark orange in color then it turns green as they mature. The flowers are white and small in size. The fruits, when ripe, vary in color such as yellow, yellow-green, reddish-orange and green. The fruit contains a pit or seed which is hairy and this can be planted.

Mangoes have antioxidant compounds that help prevent prostate, breast and colon cancer. It contains fiber and Vitamin C which helps lower cholesterol. Mangoes contains Vitamin E which is good for the skin and it also contains Vitamin A that helps promote good eyesight.

Mangoes are mostly used in beverages and desserts because of its sour to sweet nature. Mango Shakes are made from either semi-ripe Mangoes which are sour or from ripe Mangoes which are sweet. Ripe Mangoes are used in desserts and pastries such as flans, puddings, cakes, ice creams and smoothies. In the Philippines, unripe mangoes are eaten with shrimp paste or Bagoong. In other countries, Mangoes are used as ingredients in some dishes.