Orange Flesh Honeydew

(Scientific Binomial Name: Cucumis melo)

Selection Information

Usage: Just remove the seeds and slice one up. Orange flesh melons taste great all by themselves. They also make a great addition to fruit platters and salads or melon sorbets.

Selection: Orange-Flesh Honeydew melons are a variety of Muskmelon. Good-quality Orange-flesh Honeydew melons will turn a creamy yellow color with a slight orange tinge 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. 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 melons 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. Remember that Honeydews have a strong odor that will saturate other foods.

Preparation - Wash honeydews 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

Available May through October from California, Arizona and Texas.

Mexico supplies product during the winter months.