Cucumis metuliferus
| Horned melon | |
|---|---|
| Cucumis metuliferus fruits | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Genus: | Cucumis |
| Species: | C. metuliferus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey | |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 183 kJ (44 kcal) |
7.56 g | |
1.26 g | |
Protein | 1.78 g |
| Vitamins | Quantity %DV† |
| Vitamin A equiv. beta-Carotene | 1% 7 μg1% 88 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) | 2% 0.025 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 1% 0.015 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4% 0.565 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 4% 0.183 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 4% 0.063 mg |
| Folate (B9) | 1% 3 μg |
| Vitamin C | 6% 5.3 mg |
| Minerals | Quantity %DV† |
| Calcium | 1% 13 mg |
| Copper | 2% 0.020 mg |
| Iron | 6% 1.13 mg |
| Magnesium | 10% 40 mg |
| Manganese | 2% 0.039 mg |
| Phosphorus | 3% 37 mg |
| Potassium | 4% 123 mg |
| Sodium | 0% 2 mg |
| Zinc | 4% 0.48 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 88.97 g |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults, except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies. | |
Cucumis metuliferus, commonly called the African horned cucumber, horned melon, spiked melon, jelly melon, or kiwano, is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family Cucurbitaceae. Its fruit has horn-like spines, hence the name "horned melon". The ripe fruit has orange skin and lime-green, jelly-like flesh. C. metuliferus is native to Southern Africa, in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Angola.
Kiwano is a traditional food plant in Africa. Along with the gemsbok cucumber (Acanthosicyos naudinianus) and tsamma (citron melon), it is one of the few sources of water during the dry season in the Kalahari Desert. In northern Zimbabwe, it is called gaka or gakachika, and is primarily used as a snack or salad, and rarely for decoration. It can be eaten at any stage of ripening.
The fruit's taste has been compared to a combination of banana and passionfruit, cucumber and zucchini or a combination of banana, cucumber and lime. A small amount of salt or sugar can increase the flavor, but the seed content can make eating the fruit less convenient than many common fruits.
Some also eat the peel, which is very rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber.