Did you know ?
- Melons are botanically related to cucumbers, pumpkins, and squashes.
- The world’s heaviest melon weighed over 159 kg (350 lbs).
- Melons are 90% water, making them excellent for hydration.
Melon
The melon is a sweet, juicy, and refreshing fruit, popular worldwide for its vibrant flavor and hydrating flesh. Melons come in many varieties, each with unique taste, color, and texture. They are enjoyed fresh, in salads, desserts, and beverages.
View other Pome fruits
Detailed nutritional values
Section titled “ Detailed nutritional values”Values of an average melon (~1 wedge, 160g) - raw :
| Calories | 54 kcal |
| Proteins | 1.3g |
| Carbohydrates | 13g |
| of which sugars | 12g |
| Fiber | 1.4g |
| Fats | 0.3g |
Vitamins and minerals
Main vitamins
Main minerals and trace elements
Nutritional values may vary depending on variety, ripeness, and growing conditions.
How to know if a melon is ripe
Section titled “ How to know if is ripe”
Perfectly ripe
A ripe melon is fragrant, slightly soft at the stem end, heavy for its size, and has vibrant, juicy flesh.
How to recognize this state :
- Pleasant, sweet aroma at the stem end
- Gives slightly when pressed at the blossom/stem end
- Skin color is uniform and vibrant (depending on variety)
- Heavy for its size
- Seeds are tan and easily separated from flesh
- Flesh is juicy, colorful, and sweet
- Netting or skin pattern is well-defined and raised
Advice for ripe products
Eat ripe melons soon for best flavor and texture. Refrigerate if not consuming immediately.
Varieties examples
Section titled “ Varieties examples”Cantaloupe
Orange-fleshed, sweet, and aromatic with a netted rind.
Honeydew
Smooth pale green skin and sweet, pale green flesh.
Canary Melon
Bright yellow skin, white flesh, and a mildly sweet flavor.
Charentais
Small French melon, intensely fragrant with deep orange flesh.
How to choose a melon
Section titled “ How to choose ”To choose a quality melon at the supermarket or market :
- Pick melons that feel heavy for their size
- Look for a sweet, fruity aroma at the stem end
- Check for a uniform, vibrant skin color with no green patches (unless variety-specific)
- The blossom end should yield slightly to gentle pressure
- Avoid melons with bruises, cracks, soft spots, or mold
How to store a melon
Section titled “ How to store ”Store whole, uncut melons at room temperature until ripe. Once ripe or cut, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–5 days. Keep cut melon covered to prevent it from absorbing odors and drying out.
Do not freeze raw melon as it will become mushy when thawed.
How to ripen a melon
Section titled “ How to ripen ”If you bought an unripe melon, here's how to speed up the process :
- Leave the melon at room temperature, away from direct sunlight
- Place the melon in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple to accelerate ripening
- Turn the melon occasionally for even ripening
- Check daily for aroma and softness at the stem end
- Avoid refrigerating until the melon is fully ripe
Health benefits of a melon
Section titled “ Health benefits of ”- Excellent hydration due to high water content
- Rich in vitamin C, supporting immune health
- Good source of vitamin A for vision and skin
- Low in calories, making it weight-friendly
- Supports digestion with fiber content
Origin of a melon
Section titled “ Origin of ”Melons have ancient origins, believed to be first domesticated in Africa and Southwest Asia. They spread through the Mediterranean, Asia, and eventually worldwide. Today, melons are cultivated in warm climates across the globe and are a staple summer fruit.
Regions of origin
- Africa (Nile Valley, Sudan, Ethiopia)
- Southwest Asia (Iran, India, Afghanistan)
- Mediterranean Basin
- China
Cook a melon according to its ripeness
Section titled “ Cook according to its ripeness”Unripe
- Melon and cucumber salad with lime
- Melon gazpacho
- Grilled unripe melon wedges
Perfectly ripe
- Classic melon and prosciutto platter
- Melon sorbet
- Chilled melon soup
Overripe
- Melon popsicles
- Melon muffins
- Melon ice cream
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “ Frequently asked questions”Warnings and precautions for a melon
Section titled “ Warnings and precautions for ”- Wash melons thoroughly before cutting to avoid transferring bacteria from the rind to the flesh.
- Store cut melon in the refrigerator and consume within a few days to prevent foodborne illness.
- Do not eat melons with visible mold, off smells, or slimy patches.
- People with allergies to related plants (cucumbers, squash) should exercise caution.
- Melon can cause digestive discomfort in some people if eaten in excess.
- Avoid feeding melon rind or seeds to pets.
Do not confuse with
Watermelon has a smooth green rind and red or yellow flesh, while most melons have netted or smooth skin and orange, green, or white flesh.
Pumpkin is a related cucurbit but is used as a vegetable and is not sweet like melon.
Papaya looks similar when cut but has a different flavor, texture, and black seeds.