Honeydew Melon

Honeydew melon is a variety of Muskmelon that originated in France and is considered the sweetest of all melons.

Scientific Binomial Name: Cucumis melo

Selection Information

Usage:

Raw in fruit salads, yogurt, or in fruit platters.

Selection:

A good-quality Honeydew melon will turn a creamy yellow color and the skin will have a slightly waxy feel when ripe. They will be firm with a small amount of softness at the stem and will be fairly large - those weighing about 5 pounds have the best flavor. Sometimes, the seeds of an especially juicy melon will rattle if the melon is shaken.

Avoid:

Avoid product that is too firm, too soft, has dark blemishes on the skin or is green-colored.

Storage:

Uncut Honeydew melon can be kept at room temperature for two to four days or until ripe. Ripe Honeydews can be refrigerated for an additional 5 days. Cut melons should be placed in a covered container and refrigerated for no more than three days. Keep in mind that Honeydws have a strong odor that will saturate other foods.

Preparation

Wash honeydew in warm soapy water prior to cutting to eliminate impurities on the rind that could be transferred from the knife to the melon's flesh. Next, slice the Honeydew in half and remove the seeds and strings. Melons can be cut into halves, quarters, wedges, cubes, or scooped into balls with a melon baller. Most melons will benefit from a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to enhance the flavor and served at room temperature.

Seasonal Information

Honeydew is available year round. Beginning in May and through October Honeydew arrives from California, Arizona and Texas. Mexico supplies product during the winter months.

Honeydew Melon Nutritional Information

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 177g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 64 Calories from Fat 0

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 0 1%

Saturated Fat 0g 0%

Trans Fat

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 32mg 1%

Total Carbohydrate 16g 5%

Dietary Fiber 1g 6%

Sugars 14

Protein 1g

Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 53%

Calcium 1% Iron 2%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Source: PMA's Labeling Facts

Honeydew melon is low in Sodium and Calories, and very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It's also a good source of Vitamin B6, Folate and Potassium, and a very good source of Vitamin C.

Melon Tips & Trivia

The Honeydew was revered as a sacred food by the ancient Egyptians.
Napolean and Pope John Paul II both considered Honeydew melons their favorite fruit.
Honeydew is a cultivar group of muskmelon, Cucumis melo Inodorus group, which includes crenshaw, casaba, Persian, winter, and other mixed melons.
Honeydew is the American name for the cultivar White Antibes which has been grown for many years in southern France and Algeria.