Is Melon Seeds Same As Egusi?

New to egusi? Egusi, also known as melon seed is widely used in the preparation of a number of African food dishes, including egusi soup, egusi pepper soup, okra and egusi vegetable soup, egusi fried vegetable. A very rich, but expensive vegetable oil is also produced from this seed.

What melon seeds are used for egusi?

Egusi seeds come from the Egusi gourd, which looks very similar to a watermelon. Unlike a watermelon, however, the fruit from the Egusi gourd is bitter and not edible, so these gourds are grown primarily for their seeds. These seeds are similar in size to small pumpkin seeds and a bit creamier in flavor.

What is egusi called in English?

white-seed melon
Its common names include egusi in Yoruba ”’Egwusi”’ in Igbo and agushi in Hausa. In English it is known as Mann’s cucumeropsis and white-seed melon.

What type of seed is egusi?

WHAT IS EGUSI? In this chapter egusi is presented primarily as the seed of one species, Citrullus lanatus, a type of watermelon. That species is indeed very popular, thanks to its productivity and food quality.

Is water melon seed egusi?

Abstract. An unusual seed mutant in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) has seeds with a fleshy pericarp, commonly called egusi seeds. The origin of the phenotype is unknown, but it is widely cultivated in Nigeria for the high protein and carbohydrate content of the edible seeds.

What is the benefit of melon seed?

Watermelon seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients like folate, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium. These seeds are considered to be highly nutritious, as they are also rich in amino acids, proteins and vitamin B complex. All these nutrients together help in boosting your body’s metabolism.

What is another name for egusi?

Egusi (also known by variations including egwusi, agusi, ohue, Ikpan, Ikon, agushi) is the name for the protein-rich seeds of certain cucurbitaceous plants (squash, melon, gourd), which after being dried and ground are used as a major ingredient in West African cuisine.

What can I use in place of egusi?

If you can’t find Egusi seeds, you can substitute pumpkin seeds. Any combination of crab, shrimp, and smoked fish can be used in place of the shrimp. Drained, smoked oysters and chicken can be used in place of the beef.

What are the side effects of egusi soup?

There have not been any reported side effect of egusi soup.

Is egusi good for weight loss?

Egusi soup is another delicacy that you can enjoy on a keto diet. Made primarily from melon seeds in Africa, this soup is delicious and nutritious. It also contains a generous amount of meat, fish, and other healthy proteins. It is an excellent source of Vit A, B1, B2, and C.

Is egusi good for the heart?

Egusi contains a high amount of fatty acids which are “unsaturated” and this makes it beneficial for the heart as it helps in reducing the chances of heart diseases by constantly reducing the blood cholesterols which are known to be bad for the heart.

How healthy is Egusi soup?

Egusi’s primary ingredient is melon seeds, and they have been found to contain phytosterols that help in lowering “bad” LDL (Low-density lipoprotein). Also, the seeds are rich in essential nutrients like protein, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, and essential amino acids. That makes the soup healthy.

What is Egusi soup made from?

The soup takes its name from egusi, or agushi―the seeds that both thicken and flavor it. Egusi soup typically features meat (such as beef, smoked poultry, goat, cow skin, and offal) and seafood (smoked dried fish or stockfish), as well as awara (Nigerian tofu), mushrooms, and greens.

Where did egusi originate from?

and Central Africa
Egusi is native to West and Central Africa, and can be found especially in Nigeria, Namibia, Ghana and Sierra Leon. It is the biological ancestor of watermelon.

Is melon seeds same as pumpkin seeds?

They also have almost the same content as pumpkin seeds. We outlined some important characteristics which can be found below: 28 grams of melon kernels contain: 158 calories.

Is it OK to eat melon seeds?

You don’t have to avoid eating watermelon seeds. In fact, you can use them in a number of different ways to enjoy their nutrition and flavor. For example, you can roast the watermelon seeds. Roasted watermelon seeds are packed with nutrients, and they also have healthy fatty acids, like omega-3s.

Is it safe to eat melon seeds?

Experts say you should have zero fears — watermelon seeds are perfectly safe to eat. If you get a mouthful of seeds along with that sweet, juicy watermelon flesh, it’s totally fine.

Are melon seeds good to eat?

All seeds are loaded with enzymes that aid digestion and absorption. In fact they have more enzymes than the actual fruit in the concentrated form.”She goes on to say, “Summer melon seeds are great source of energy like magnesium, which is vital for a healthy heart.

What are melon seeds called?

The melon seeds, also known as magaz in Hindi. They are generally greyish white and hard shelled with a soft white inner kernel. They are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, fats and other nutrients. They lack any distinct scent but have a nutty and sweet taste.

What can be used instead of melon seeds?

Since you have stated that melon seeds induce unpleasant aroma,you can use other alternatives. You can add any of these ingredients as thickening agent like paste of roasted peanuts,paste of roasted gram dal or coconut.

Can you eat too much melon?

5 Side Effects of Melons1.
Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora says, excess of melons may not be the best of idea for diabetics. “It can cause sugar overload which could lead to high blood sugar levels.” The glycemic index of watermelon is 72, which is high. Cantaloupe has a GI value of 65.