Honeydew melons, particularly the white Antibes variety, are popular in the US and grown in California, Arizona, and Texas. Look for a smooth, round melon with a light green flesh and avoid those with brown spots. Honeydew is a good source of vitamin C and can be paired with cantaloupe for added nutrition. Imported and canned options are available when out of season.
When Americans talk about the honeydew melon, they are generally referring to the white Antibes melon, a type of melon, grown in France and throughout the United States. Several types of melons can be classified as honeydews. These include the casaba, the Persian and the Crenshaw. The White Antibes version, known scientifically as Cucumis melo, is certainly more recognizable to American consumers. In the United States, you’ll find fresh honeydews, grown in California, Arizona and Texas, from late May to early October.
The melon should be almost perfectly round with a smooth, waxy white skin. White may have a slight green tinge, but it shouldn’t be completely green. The rind should never be fuzzy, and you should avoid melons with brown spots. When you harvest a honeydew melon, it should feel heavy, representing the density of the melon’s internal flesh. It shouldn’t feel completely hard on the outside, but the outside should barely give in to hand pressure. Look for a medium-sized melon that weighs around 11 pounds (2.27 kg).
The internal view of the honeydew melon is undoubtedly attractive. When you cut it in half, you’ll notice its light green flesh and a layer of seeds. These are easily scooped up with a spoon. You can simply eat the honeydew in slices, as it has a mild, sweet, melon-like flavor, or it can be diced to add to salads. Since there are few truly green fruits, the aesthetic quality of honeydew shouldn’t be underestimated. Tastes as good or better than it sounds, slightly reminiscent of cucumbers but much sweeter.
Honeydew melon has some nutritional value, especially in its vitamin C content. One cup (7.28 kg) offers 400% of the US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C and is a decent source of protein. To increase the nutritional offering, pair honeydew melon with cantaloupe, an orange-fleshed melon that has high levels of vitamin A. You’ll actually often see honeydew and cantaloupe combined as orange and green together are a combination so pretty.
If you’re desperate for a honeydew when they’re off-season, you have a couple of choices. Melons are often grown in Mexico and imported to the United States. Use the tips above to determine quality. You can also buy canned honeydew, usually in tropical fruit blends, that might get you coming next season.
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