Prity Melons
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Description/Taste
Prity melons are small to medium in size and have an oblate to round shape, averaging 15 to 17 centimeters in diameter. The skin or rind is firm, thin, and smooth, bearing a mixture of golden yellow and green speckling. Underneath the surface, the pale green to white flesh is dense with a soft, aqueous, and semi-crisp consistency. The flesh does not carry an aroma, and in the center of the melon is a cavity filled with pockets of tan, flat seeds encased in soft white membranes. When ripe, Prity melons have an initially tangy, briny flavor, followed by a subtle sweetness.
Seasons/Availability
Prity melons are available in the summer through early fall.
Current Facts
Prity melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melo, are a sweet hybrid variety that belongs to the casabas group, which encompasses melons that are widely grown throughout Central Asia and in regions of the Mediterranean. The individually sized fruit is also known as Pomelon in Taiwan, a name used to describe the melon’s unique, sweet and sour nature. Prity melons were introduced to the United States from Asia in the early 21st century and are still considered a rare variety only found through select growers and specialty markets. The melons are highly favored for their unusual salty-sweet flavor and are typically used fresh to showcase their briny taste.
Nutritional Value
Prity melons are an excellent source of vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system, and a good source of potassium, iron, folate, and dietary fiber. They are also a source of essential B-complex vitamins, vitamin K, and the minerals magnesium, calcium, copper, and manganese.
Applications
Prity melons are best suited for raw applications and are often chilled to showcase their sweet and sour flavors. The melons can be halved with the seeds removed and cubed or sliced for use in fruit salads, green salads, and on charcuterie plates. They can also be incorporated fresh as a topping on desserts or juiced for use in cocktails and other beverages. The tangy flavoring of Prity melons pairs well with meats such as prosciutto, smoked coppa or pig’s shoulder, and mollusks such as oysters. The melon can also be served with fresh cheeses such as burrata, fruits such as mangoes, plums, and figs, or topped with aromatics such as mint and ginger. It is recommended to store Prity melons whole in the refrigerator and once sliced, it will keep up to five days in a sealed container.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Known-You Seed Co. is an international seed breeding company, established in 1968, that specializes in F1 hybrid seed varieties. F1 hybrid seeds are seeds developed from two different parent plants, which provide specific growth characteristics for a more uniform crop. Known-You Seed Co. is also well-known for their award-winning melon hybrids, many of which were developed by famous breeder En-Tzu Pan, including Prity melons. The company has received the prestigious All-America Selections (AAS) award for five different melon varieties over the years, which is an award that recognizes quality characteristics in cultivation, flavor, and appearance.
Geography/History
Prity melons were created by Known-You Seed Co, a seed breeding company based in Taiwan. The hybrid melon was developed from multiple Asian cultivars and was first registered as a new variety in 2012. The sweet and sour melon was then selectively distributed to growers around the world through the company’s multi-branched corporate structure and was slowly introduced to specialty markets. The Prity melons featured in the photograph above were grown by Weiser Family Farms and were first released at farmer’s markets in Southern California in the summer of 2018.
