Melon baller is also called Parisienne scoop. Melon baller is a tool like small spoon which is used to cut oval or round shaped sections of melon called melon balls by pressing it into flesh of melon and rotating. Also it can be used to cut soft fruits. Melon baller is made of stainless steel having a handle of wood, hard plastic or metal. The diameter of bowl of melon baller varies from 1 centimeter to 3 centimeters. The bowl consists of small hole in the middle which allows juice and air through. It is also known as prepping utensil. It is used for various melons such as cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew.
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How to Make Melon Balls
Choice of melon: Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew melon
Directions:
- Put a melon on a cutting board and cut in half with a knife.
- Discard seeds with serving spoon or an ice cream scoop.
- Place and hold halved melon on a cutting board with one hand. Go ahead to scoop with the use of melon baller. Start by pressing the tool into the fruit’s flesh. Rotate it to form ball-shaped. Repeat and transfer ball to a bowl. Scoop melon as close together to get most from melon.
Health Benefits of Melon balls
Derived from the melons such as cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew. Melon balls provide various benefits to the body that are discussed below:
- Promotes skin health
Vitamin A soothes skin and possesses anti-aging properties. When Vitamin A is absorbed by skin membranes, it stimulates and also promotes repair and regrowth. This activity prevents skin from premature aging. The conducted studies resulted that it provides relief from degradation of immune organs that occurs in aging process and promotes immune functions. It acts as anti-aging element. When added to the diet, it helps to achieve flawless skin.
- Lowers anxiety
Melon balls made from cantaloupes have rich content of potassium. Potassium acts as a vasodilator which has vital role in lowering blood pressure and calm blood vessels. The high blood pressure level is responsible to cause stress and promotes release of cortisol which is a stress hormone. Potassium assists to promote flow of oxygen and blood to the brain. The reduction of stress hormones in the body could reduce symptoms of anxiety.
- Assist to lose weight
Melon balls made with watermelon contains no fat, cholesterol and is also low in calories. It has high citrulline which is converted into arginine, an essential amino acid. Arginine lowers the rater of storing fat in the body and also promotes cardiovascular functions. An increase in arginine content in blood improves weight loss.
- Prevent cancer
Lycopene contains antioxidant properties that counteract free radicals that cause cancer. Studies shows that daily consumption of lycopene prevent the cancer of lungs, breast, bladder, prostate, throat, pancreas, ovaries and colon. An increase in consumption of foods rich in lycopene lowers the chances of prostate cancer by 25% in men and aggressive cancer by 44%.
- Relief from hypertension
Honeydew melon balls have potassium which is an essential mineral and plays key role in bodily functions. High content of potassium lowers the chances of stroke, blood pressure, preserve density of bone mineral mass, prevent loss of lean muscle mass and prevents the formation of kidney stones. Potassium also helps to maintain normal blood pressure and balances effects of sodium in the body. It also soothes walls of blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
- Hydrates body
Melons are great choice for summer months to keep the body hydrated. In addition to electrolyte content, it contains lots of water. Moreover, it also possesses iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc which are required for the body for smooth functioning. Studies have shown that most of the people do not tend to drink enough water and are chronically dehydrated. Dehydration symptoms might be downright unpleasant to life threatening. Melon balls are hydrating and is helpful to deal with this health problem.
How to Eat
- Use it in fruit salads.
- It is also used as a garnish.
References:
https://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/melon-balls-with-fresh-mint.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melon_ball
http://www.kraftcanada.com/tips-and-ideas/fruits/melon-making-melon-balls
https://www.curejoy.com/content/health-benefits-of-cantaloupe/
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-cantaloupe.html
https://www.curejoy.com/content/health-benefits-of-watermelon/
https://www.healthbeckon.com/watermelon-benefits/
Comments
| Melon Balls Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Melon Balls |
| Calories | 57 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients | Vitamin B1 (23.92%) Vitamin A (22.00%) Vitamin B6 (14.08%) Vitamin C (11.89%) Copper (11.56%) |
| Health benefits | Promotes skin health, Lowers anxiety, Assist to lose weight, Prevent cancer, Relief from hypertension |
| Name | Melon Balls |
|---|---|
| Size | 1 centimeter to 3 centimeters |
| Major Nutritions | Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.287 mg (23.92%) Vitamin A, RAE 154 µg 22.00%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.183 mg (14.08%) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 10.7 mg (11.89%) Copper, Cu 0.104 mg (11.56%) Vitamin B9 (Folate) 45 µg (11.25%) Carbohydrate 13.74 g (10.57%) Potassium, K 484 mg (10.30%) Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1.107 mg (6.92%) Iron, Fe 0.5 mg (6.25%) |
| Calories in 1 cup, unthawed (173 g) | 57 Kcal. |
| Health Benefits |
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