HONEY MELON AROMA ...
August 16, 2017 | 22:18 |2959
https://cdn.orient.tm/storage/app/media/ru/2017/08/Gowun-Bayramy-ORIENT_WEB.mp4 A fragrant, Turkmen honey melon has no equals anywhere in the world! It was noticed in ancient times, when the melon was considered a luxury delicacy, the melon’s cost could be equal to that of a camel. The merits of the Turkmen melon were appreciated by the first settlers from Russia and the Caucasus who came to Turkmenistan at the end of the 19th century. Hardly enduring an unusually hot climate, they were astonished by the health, ability to work and the cheerfulness of the local population. In the course of time the new citizens of the Turkmen land came to believe that significant importance in the vitality of the Turkmen, among other things, was a result of rational and timely healthy nutrition. And here the melon, which absorbed all the richness of vitamins, mineral salts, microelements, glucose, sucrose, pectin, carotene, takes a proud place. Melon didn’t only feed and allay thirst, but also treated human beings! Traditionally Turkmens knew that melon pulp had a diuretic property, the infusion of young sets was used for gastric infections, and the blood vessels were cleaned with oil made from melon seed. Strong, golden melon was taken with the caravan and to the pastures by shepherds. Melon, just as sacred Turkmen bread, did not spoil during long days on the road and gave tired people not only strength, but also the joy of delicious food. The Turkmen appreciated the melon at its true value, knew the secrets of its growing and knew how to store it for future use. Documents of the Central Archives of Turkmenistan evidence that during the age of Transcaspian region, the Turkmen population of each district sowed and grown melons in their own special way. For example, in Iolotan, according to the data of 1882-1890, the flood lands after a recession of flood waters were sown with melon seeds, and there was only one watering for the whole time of the plants ripening. In Kizyl-Arvat, for example, the dehkans in autumn dug large pits, where all the rain and winter snow water was collected. In the early spring, with the first warm rays of the sun, melon seeds were sown around these holes, and for the whole time of vegetation and ripening of the fruit there was no more watering. According to the Russian researchers of the Transcaspian region, melons, saturated with natural moisture and ripened under the bright sun, were unusually sweet, juicy and fragrant. Different methods of planting and care for melon seeds were known in different auls, but the melons were bred everywhere. The harvest usually fell on the hottest days of the year, so the daily gathering of fruits began at first light. The Turkmen people had many different ways how to store melons for future use. From the full-ripe pulp they boiled off syrup of thick honey, odorous and sweet. They also prepared “syok”: they added wheat flour and sesame seeds into the concentrated melon juice - this product retained its quality for 2-3 years. Sun-dried melon was braided into bundles, turning into a delicious marmalade-like product. Wonderful dried melons were not only used for food in this region, but were subject of export for the Turkmens in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is interesting that the farmers managed to keep the winter varieties of melons until the new harvest, and their taste only improved during storage. Thus, the researchers of the Transcaspian region saw the Turkmen melon-grower as a person, working unremittingly, but at the same time they noted that “the Turkmen melon - the most well-known on the markets of the Russian Empire” grateful responds to care of the person. Here are just a few documents confirming the glory of Turkmen melons. From the report on the Central Asian exhibition in Moscow, in 1891: “In the Transcaspian region in the department of agriculture and farming the Serakhs melons, pumpkins, white and red cotton, samples of cotton wool, hand-cleaned, were awarded gold medals (5); silver (7); bronze (3); approval reviews (42) “. From the “Survey of the Transcaspian region” for 1898: “Melon-growing of the Transcaspian region has a very significant importance. Melon is one of the main food products for the indigenous population here. Melon in this region is not only an object of delicacy, but also a product for treatment. The Turkmens of Tejen uyezd practice even a special course of melon treatment, using melon sets for many ailments.” In the same publication: “Local varieties of melons are distinguished by excellent qualities, extra sweetness and fragrances”. From the “Survey of the Transcaspian region” for 1911: “In Askhabad uyezd vegeculture is well developed in the villages near Askhabad… Large areas are occupied with watermelons and melons. Judged by the eating qualities, the Turkmen melons are excellent “. They say that in ancient times, there was a special punishment for stealing a melon: a man who had stolen a melon in the market, caught twice as many flacks as he caught for coveting other fruits. It would be considered for the thief to be a lazy fellow, since it is not difficult to grow a melon - throw the seed into the ground, sit and wait: the melon grows and ripens itself. Is it actually so? Everyone who was born in the Turkmen land knows: it, as a caring mother, raises her children in diligence – not a grain of wheat, not a drop of water will be allowed without effort. But the hard worker will be rewarded by the most fragrant churek, the most sugar grapes and the gold-like honey melon.Vladimir ZAREMBO
