North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Stephen Sadler" <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>]

One assumes the melons were already warm in the fields, not refrigerated at the grocers, and warm again on the way home.  Why would an additional two hours at room temp at home be any different than a two-hour longer truck from the field, or going to the store two hours later?

 

What’s occurring may be similar to what happens to bread and tomatoes: refrigerated, some compounds crystallize, binding themselves in a way that makes them unavailable either to the taste or, possibly in the case of the lycopene in tomatoes and watermelons, to the body.  Warmed, the compounds unbind.  That bread that has no taste from the fridge is good again once toasted; the flavor-challenged refrigerated tomato still cooks up the same, and regains its sweetness and complexity once warmed.  And why wouldn’t the warmth of the body untangle things when the food’s eaten?  In some bound nutrients, it does – but in the wrong part of the digestive tract for optimal absorption. 

 

Just musing.  The practical answer here is to have many servings of fruits and veg daily prepared in a way that you like, so you’ll eat ‘em.   I’ve had the fresh-picked warm watermelons, and they do have the best flavor – but I really like using them to transport cold into my overwarm summer body, and to feel the chill from the first crackling bite.

 

Stephen

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From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Sunshine Lemme
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 5:35 AM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Watermelons Are Healthier When Served Warm

 

I grew up near a watermelon field in the vineyards.  Those illicit, warm watermelons sure seemed to taste better when hiding under the grape vines.  Never tried a warm one that I've purchased. 

The research really doesn't say they are better warm, it says they have more good stuff if stored at room temp.  So I'll wait until a couple of hours before serving to put them in the reefer.  The best of both worlds.

On 7/31/06, tanis grif <tanisgrif@yahoo.com> wrote:

Room temp vs cold?  How about fresh out of a sunny garden-- almost HOT.  Try it
sometime.  I like the mixed drinks idea, but I'd choose the sun-warmed watermelon.