Melons have saved many lives. The reason why is a bit of a winding road.
For thousands of years, people knew that poultices made from molds could be used to treat infections. For example, the fuzzy green stuff which covers old bread is penicillium mold which produces a metabolite, penicillin, the first miracle drug. In the 20th century, Alexander Fleming observed blue-green molds, such as, penicillium mold, preventing the growth of Staphylococcus bacteria in a plate culture. Later, Howard Florey and his colleagues at Oxford University demonstrated penicillin could cure human infections, But no one knew how to produce enough to make it viable as a treatment for large groups of people. During World War II, scientists and engineers began experimenting with growing fungi in fermentation vats. One of the lead research laboratories was in Peoria Illinois. Florey and his colleagues traveled to Illinois to work with this laboratory. After they developed a procedure for propagating the penicillium mold, scientists began a worldwide search for a fast-growing strain of penicillium mold. It was found growing on a cantaloupe at a market in Peoria Illinois. This mold, and indirectly that cantaloupe, is responsible for saving the lives of hundreds of thousands by the end of World War II and over 200 million people in the coming decades.
And, they are also delicious to eat. Try this simple recipe for cantaloupe and mint salad.
Cantaloupe Mint Salad: Peel cantaloupe and cut into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry mint, and remove leaves. Stack a few leaves, roll them tightly, and cut the roll cross-wise to make thin strips of mint leaves. This is called a julienne. Toss with the melon. Add a couple of teaspoons of sugar. Mix and store in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Stir and serve cold.
The sugar causes juice to run out of the cantaloupe so that you have a sauce. You can also add some blueberries.
