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Honeydew melons are nutrient-packed fruits with a sweet, refreshing taste, making them a favorite for many. However, not everyone knows the art of selecting the best honeydews at local stores or markets. In this article, Mytour Blog shares 6 foolproof ways to choose honeydews that are fresh, crisp, and sweet. Check it out!
Various types of honeydews available in the market
Currently, the market offers a wide array of honeydew varieties available everywhere. To choose the best honeydews, you need to distinguish between different types and identify their unique characteristics. Here are some common varieties of honeydews.
Emerald Flesh Honeydew
Emerald Flesh Honeydew comes in a perfectly round or elongated shape, with a relatively thick skin featuring a distinctive mesh pattern. Inside, the flesh is green and filled with numerous seeds. When tasted, you'll experience a gentle sweetness as this fruit is low in calories, low in sugar, yet rich in fiber—ideal for those watching their weight or managing diabetes.
Emerald Flesh Honeydew (Source: Internet)Golden Glory Honeydew
Golden Glow Honeydew typically exhibits a round or elongated shape, boasting a vibrant yellow hue. The outer skin of this melon is often glossy and lacks visible ridges. With a bright orange-yellow flesh, it offers a mild sweetness. Golden Glow Honeydew is rich in essential nutrients beneficial for health, especially Vitamin A.
Golden Glow Honeydew (Source: Internet)Amber Flesh Honeydew
Amber Flesh Honeydew comes in a round or oval shape, with a thick meshed skin. Notably, both the flesh and seeds have a vibrant orange-yellow color, delivering a natural and refreshing sweet taste.
Amber Flesh Honeydew (Source: Internet)Japanese Taki Melon
Taki Melon is a Japanese variety known for its round shape, thick skin, and prominent mesh pattern. Japanese Taki Melons are typically smaller in size compared to other honeydew varieties. The flesh has a vibrant orange-red color, offering a cool, sweet, and crisp taste. Rich in vitamins and folate, this fruit is excellent for health, especially beneficial for pregnant women.
Japanese Taki Melon (Source: Internet)Distinguishing Vietnamese and Chinese Honeydews
Here are some key differences between Vietnamese and Chinese honeydews:
| Đặc điểm | Dưa lưới Việt Nam | Dưa lưới Trung Quốc |
| Hình dáng | Tương đối tròn, trái nhỏ | Thon dài, hình bầu dục, trái to |
| Vỏ | Có các đường gân trắng chằng chịt | Các đường gân sẽ thưa hơn một chút |
| Cân nặng | Thường có trọng lượng trung bình 1 – 2kg | Có trọng lượng trung bình từ 3 – 5kg trong thời vụ chínhTừ 2.5 – 3kg thời điểm trái vụ |
| Mùi vị | Khi ăn giòn và có vị ngọt thanh | Khi ăn rất ngọt và hơi mềm |
6 Tips for Choosing Perfectly Sweet, Crisp Honeydews
Here are 6 foolproof ways to pick honeydews that are delicious, sweet, and perfectly crisp:
Choosing Delectable Honeydews Based on Shape
Delicious honeydews will have a taut, round shape without any dents. When buying, avoid those with pointed ends or stems, as the flesh of these melons tends to be less crisp and less flavorful than others.
Choosing Honeydews Based on Shape (Source: Internet)Selecting Flavorful Honeydews Based on Surface Patterns
The patterns on the skin of a honeydew are crucial for identifying a delicious fruit. More prominent veins and a rough texture indicate a sweeter and crisper melon. Avoid choosing honeydews with fewer veins, as they are often underripe or bland.
Choosing Honeydews Based on Surface Patterns (Source: Internet)Checking the Stem End to Select Sweet Honeydews
The stem end of a honeydew is a telltale sign of ripeness. If the stem is indented and has serrated edges, the honeydew is ripe, sweet, and flavorful. Avoid melons with green stems, as they are often unevenly ripened, with less crisp and sweet flesh.
Checking the Stem End to Select Sweet Honeydews (Source: Internet)Choosing Delicious Honeydews by Assessing Weight
To pick tasty honeydews, hold two melons of the same size to compare. A honeydew that feels firm and heavy is likely to be crisp and sweet. Conversely, melons with less water content and a bland taste tend to be lighter when held.
Choosing Honeydews Based on Weight (Source: Internet)Choosing Delicious Honeydews by Scent
Ripe honeydews typically emit a distinctive aroma. You can use your sense of smell to check for this. If a honeydew has a subtle, pleasant fragrance, it's likely a tasty fruit. Avoid melons with no smell or unusual odors, as they are often underripe or spoiled.
Selecting Tasty, Fragrant Honeydews by Hand-Press
To pick delicious honeydews, check the stem end of the fruit. If it feels soft and has elasticity when pressed, the melon is likely to have a characteristic sweet flavor.
- If the honeydew feels firm when pressed, it's likely underripe and will have a bland taste without a pleasant aroma.
- If the melon is soft when pressed with no elasticity, it might be overripe, harvested a long time ago, or starting to spoil, so it's advisable to avoid purchasing this type.
How to Prolong the Freshness of Honeydews
When honeydews are still green and unripe, store them in a cool place until they ripen before placing them in the refrigerator. Putting unripe honeydews in the fridge can release their scent and potentially spoil other food items.
Once honeydews are ripe, wrap them in a plastic bag and place them in the fruit storage compartment of the refrigerator. Avoid peeling honeydews before refrigerating, as they will lose sweetness, become dry, soft, and less crisp.
How to Prolong the Freshness of Honeydews (Source: Internet)Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions when selecting delicious honeydews:
How to Identify Ripe Honeydews?
You can check if a honeydew is ripe by gently pressing the skin. If the skin slightly gives, it's ripe and sweet. If the skin is still firm, let the honeydew ripen slowly at room temperature for about 3-5 days. If the skin caves in too much or becomes mushy, it's overly ripe or spoiled.
When is the Best Time to Eat Honeydew?
Honeydew is a fruit beneficial for the body and skin. Consuming honeydew in the morning helps detoxify and regulates well. It contains Zeaxanthin, a substance that protects the skin from UV damage. Additionally, honeydew is rich in beta-carotene, folic acid, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A—nutrients that promote skin rejuvenation and overall health.
How Much Does Honeydew Cost?
The price of honeydew varies depending on the season and location of supply. You can check Mytour's website for the latest honeydew prices!
Above are insights into 7 ways to choose delicious honeydews to help you confidently pick high-quality melons for enjoyment with family and friends. Don't forget to visit the reputable e-commerce platform Mytour to purchase fresh and premium ingredients at discounted prices!
