Honeydew Melons
Estimated Inventory, 5-6 ct : 85.82
This item was last sold on : 12/31/24
Description/Taste
Honeydew melons are small to medium fruits, averaging 15 to 22 centimeters in diameter and 4 to 8 pounds in weight, and have a round to oval shape with blunt, curved ends. The melon’s rind is smooth, firm, and semi-thick, ranging in color from green to white, yellow, or pale orange with maturity. The rind also develops a waxy, velvety surface with a slightly sticky consistency, indicating that the flesh has developed a high sugar content. Underneath the surface, the flesh appears in shades of pale green, white-green, and golden-orange hues, depending on the variety, and is thick, dense, and aqueous with a firm and crisp, succulent consistency. The flesh also encases a central cavity filled with white, stringy fibers and tan, oval seeds. Honeydew melons emit a faint, sweet aroma and will feel heavy for their size, yielding under gentle pressure around the blossom end when ripe. The melons contain a high sugar content of approximately 16 Brix, a measurement of sugar levels within the flesh, contributing to the melon’s delicate, sweet, floral, and subtly fruity flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Honeydew melons are generally available in the summer through mid-fall. The melons are also grown in both hemispheres, allowing commercial markets to import and export the melons for extended, year-round availability.
Current Facts
Honeydew melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melon var. inodorus, are a sweet muskmelon variety belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. The melons are also categorized as a winter melon, a descriptor used to showcase melon varieties with thick, hard skin, providing extended storage capabilities without the loss of flavor. Honeydew melons are the third most cultivated type of melon in the world, falling just behind watermelon and cantaloupe. There are two main types of Honeydew, White and Orange Honeydew, and these types vary only slightly in flavor, coloring, and appearance. There are also several cultivars of Honeydews in commercial markets, including Honey Star, Honey Gold, Dewlightful, Jade Delight, Summer Dew, Saturno, and Earlidew. Honeydew melons are also known by several names worldwide, including White Antibes, Wallace melon, Balian melon, Temptation melon, Chindire, and Hmazli. The melons have a mild, sweet, and subtly earthy flavor well suited for fresh, sweet and savory preparations. Honeydew melons are primarily consumed as a dessert cultivar and are favored for their juicy, succulent nature.
Nutritional Value
Honeydew melons are a good source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract and vitamin C to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. The melons also provide potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, vitamin K to assist in faster wound healing, and contain other amounts of vitamin B6, magnesium, and folate.
Applications
Honeydew melons have a sweet, refreshing nature well suited for fresh preparations. The rind should be washed before opening, and the flesh can be sliced, tossed into green salads, balled and mixed into fruit salads, or consumed straight, out of hand. Honeydew melons can also be sprinkled with salt, lemon juice, or chile powder for added flavor, stirred into yogurt and cereal, wrapped in cured meats, or used as a fresh topping over pancakes and waffles. Halved portions of the melon can be filled with cottage cheese and consumed as a snack or breakfast dish, or the flesh can be blended into smoothies, shakes, fruit punches, or cocktails. Honeydew melons can be pureed and added to chilled soups, blended and frozen into popsicles and sorbet, chopped into a fresh salsa, or mixed with herbs as a side dish. In addition to fresh preparations, Honeydew melons can be cooked into sauces and jams or grilled for an additional flavor. The melons can also be dried into strips as a chewy snack, and the seeds can be roasted and lightly salted. In Asia, the rind is sometimes pickled for extended use. Honeydew melons pair well with fruit including coconut, fresh berries, mango, and kiwi, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, herbs such as basil, cilantro, mint, and parsley, ginger, cheeses such as ricotta, burrata, and feta, spinach, fennel, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Whole, unopened Honeydew melons should be ripened at room temperature, and the blossom end will yield slightly under pressure when mature. Sliced Honeydew melons will keep up to three days when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Honeydew melons acquired their honey moniker from American plant breeder John E. Gauger. The melons were initially known in France as Melon d'Antibes Blanc d'Hiver or White Antibes Winter melon, but as the melons were slowly introduced to the United States, many of the melons were often unlabeled or given more commercial names. In 1911, the sweet melon was sent to a high-end New York hotel restaurant and served to dinner guests. One guest savored eating the unlabeled melon so much that he saved seeds from the fruit and mailed the seeds to John. E. Gauger for further research. Gauger was living at the time in Swink, Colorado, and was famous for his melon breeding and research. Gauger worked with the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, to identify the variety, and in 1915, the USDA concluded that the unknown seeds were from a White Antibes Winter melon. Gauger renamed the melons to Honeydew as a more appealing name for American commercial markets. The new name was successful among American consumers and is still one of the primary names used for the variety worldwide.
Geography/History
Honeydew melons have been cultivated for thousands of years and are believed to have originated either in the Middle East, Western Asia, or West Africa. The melon’s origins remain unknown, but records of the melon were discovered in Ancient Egyptian tombs, dating back to 2400 BCE, proving the melon’s ancient existence. In the 15th century, Honeydew melons were introduced to Europe, primarily France and Algeria, and were cultivated in greenhouses. The melons were also brought to the New World through Spanish and Portuguese explorers and were planted in the United States. Honeydew melons thrive in semiarid, sunny climates and are grown worldwide. China and Turkey are the leading producers of the melons, followed by the United States in California and Arizona. Honeydew melons are also cultivated in Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Guatemala exported to American and European markets for year-round availability. Fresh Honeydew melons can be found through local markets, distributors, and grocers worldwide.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
| Birds Eye (La Jolla) | La Jolla CA | 513-549-0974 |
| Hyatt Islandia | San Diego CA | 619-224-1234 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| The Granger Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-559-7287 |
| Brigantine Poway Bar | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| My Chef | San Diego CA | 916-217-0049 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Marriott Courtyard Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-260-8500 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| The Monsaraz | San Diego CA | 858-760-6228 |
| Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
| Harbor View Hotel Ventures, LLC | San Diego CA | 619-239-6800 |
| Trust Restaurant (Bar) | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Hilton Garden Inn - Homewood Suites San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-696-6300 |
| Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
| Pacific Cafe & Catering (Medical Cntr Dr.) | La Jolla CA | 619-808-4087 |
| Madi | San Diego CA | 320-491-1217 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn | San Diego CA | 877-517-9340 |
| Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Town & Country San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
| Noble House Hotels & Resorts | San Diego CA | 619-276-4010 |
| Portside Pier (Miguels) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
| Flap Your Jacks | San Diego CA | 858-224-7442 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 951-764-0605 |
| Miguel's Cocina Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-437-4237 |
| La Dona | San Diego CA | 858-352-8134 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| The Mission NP | San Diego CA | 619-220-8992 |
| DoubleTree By Hilton San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-881-6900 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Distribution Center) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Asti Ristorante | San Diego CA | 619-232-8844 |
| The Mission MB | San Diego CA | 858-488-9060 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Zanzibar at the Loft | La Jolla CA | 858-210-5476 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Venissimo Cheese Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-847-9616 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Under Belly-Uptown (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
| Pacific Terrace Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-581-3500 |
| Rubicon Deli-UTC | San Diego CA | 858-877-9911 |
| Understory | San Diego CA | 516-507-0101 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
| Something Homemade | Vista CA | 858-245-1004 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| El Sueno (TAKO) | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Rubicon Deli India Street | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
| The Mission EV | San Diego CA | 619-232-7662 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| The Duck Dive - Bar | San Diego CA | 858-273-3825 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Sheldons Service Station | La Mesa CA | 619-741-8577 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Marriott Courtyard Nolen | San Diego CA | 619-544-1004 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Claire's on Cedros - SKSB | Solana Beach CA | 858-259-8597 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Carolines Seaside Cafe | La Jolla CA | 619-646-1481 |
| The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
| Monarch School | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Monarch School (Nutrition Lab) | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
| The Flower Pot Cafe and Bakery | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5453 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2401 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Drift Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-263-4298 |
| Crafted @ Minerva's Cafe | La Jolla CA | 858-699-4129 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe 1 | San Diego CA | 858-405-2401 |
| Fay's Diner and Cafe | San Diego CA | 661-858-8895 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| The Prado at Balboa Park Banquets | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
| Belching Beaver Brewery - Pub 980 | Vista CA | 760-420-7764 |
| Marriott Marquis North Tower | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Graze | San Diego CA | 619-839-9852 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
| Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
| Sandbar Sports Grill | San Diego CA | 858-488-1274 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Honeydew Melons. One
is easiest, three is harder.
