The orange-fleshed honeydew melon is a hybrid of cantaloupe and honeydew, with a creamy orange pulp and sweet, juicy flavor. It can be found from May to October and is versatile in its uses, from fruit salads to grilling. Look for a smooth, heavy melon with a bit of softness around the stem end.
The orange-fleshed honeydew melon is a variety of honeydew melon that has been bred to be especially flavorful and juicy. These melons may look like melons at first glance when cut, but they don’t have the sharp skin of the classic melon and the flavor resembles that of a honeydew melon, not a cantaloupe. These melons are in season from May through October and can be found at farmers markets and many grocery stores when in season. They can also be grown at home if you live in USDA zone four or warmer.
This melon is a hybrid of the cantaloupe and honeydew melon varieties, retaining some of the characteristics of both. As you might imagine, the defining characteristic of orange-fleshed honeydew is the creamy orange pulp. These melons are also very sweet and juicy with a creamy taste when well sorted and can be used in a variety of ways, ranging from fruit salads to melon sorbet.
When fully ripe, a flesh orange honeydew has a thick pale yellow to orange skin that is extremely smooth, with a waxy texture. Around the stem end, the melon should be a bit soft and the melon should feel heavy for its size. A bad melon will have patches of discoloration or soft depressions in areas other than the stem end and should be avoided, unless the discoloration is obviously from where the melon settled on the ground during the ripening process.
Once opened, the deep orange color of the orange-fleshed honeydew melon should stand out, along with the intoxicating aroma. Like many melons, it develops seeds in a cavity in the middle of the melon, making it very easy for consumers to dig out and discard them, although they can also be saved for growing melons in the garden.
You may also see Flesh Orange Honeydew labeled a “temptation melon.” Many people find this variety of melon to be among the best available, with a rich, complex flavor and crunchy, juicy flesh. In addition to being eaten out of hand, this melon can also be grilled, wrapped in various substances as an appetizer, or used to garnish fruit tarts and other desserts. Remember to refrigerate the melon after it’s opened to keep it in good condition, and try to eat it within a few days.
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