How To Eat Pepino Melon And What It Tastes Like

The pepino melon you have brought from the store or harvested from your garden requires a few simple preparation steps. Here's how to prepare it:

Wash The Fruit: To get the dirt off from the pepino melon, rinse it thoroughly.

Cut Into Halves: Once you have properly washed the pepino melon, cut it into halves. 

Scoop Out Seeds: The seeds present inside the pepino can be consumed, however, it's better to remove them to enjoy the exact flavors of the flesh. Simply, take a spoon and scoop the seeds out from the center.

Peeling Skin: Though not necessary, you can also peel off the skin of the pepino melon if you want to totally get rid of the bitterness the skin has.

To Get Smaller Pieces: Then, further, slice it into cubes or wedges, much like you would with a melon or cucumber.

Being a fruit, the simple way to enjoy pepino melon is by eating it raw. You can either consume it peeled or unpeeled. The skin is thin and easy to remove, and it will reveal the juicy, tender flesh underneath.

Smoothies

You can also add pepino to smoothies. To make one, that is fruity and refreshing, follow the steps below:

1. Get some fresh pepino melons and prepare them; peel them and cut them into slices.
2. Now, combine them with your favorite fruits. Bananas, strawberries, mangoes, or even citrus fruits are the best ones to add.
3. If you love greens in your smoothies, add some spinach or kale as well.
4. Into a blender, dump all the ingredients and blend until smooth.
5. To give the smoothie a more creamy and refreshing touch, you can also add yogurt or coconut water to the smoothie.
6. Also, adjust sweetness according to your preference.

Fruit Salads

Pepino melon can be a great addition to any fruit salad. Its sweetness and crisp texture can perfectly pair up with most fruits, especially tropical ones, berries, melons, and citrus.

1. Be ready with peeled and cubed pepino melon and also other prepared fruits you want to add to the salad.
2. Add some citrus slices (oranges, grapefruits) for a tangy twist, or include tropical fruits like pineapple and mango for a summery vibe.
3. Complete the salad with a simple dressing and garnish it with some chopped herbs.

Pepino melon has a mild, sweet taste. In detail, this fruit has the following characteristic features:

Flavor

Pepino is sweet in flavor and does not exactly have a unique taste. Yes, you heard it right, pepino melon will remind you of ripe honeydew melon and cucumber. 

However, it does not taste as intense as the honeydew, you will find the sweetness on the milder side.

Also, it carries the refreshing flavor of cucumber. To be exact, pepino is a Spanish word that means "cucumber" and this is where the name of the fruit comes from. Overall, you will find the pepino melon sweet but not in an overpowering way.

Texture

A perfectly ripe pepino melon is smooth and juicy. The texture of each bite is similar to that of a very soft apple. As the melon has a high water content, as you bite on pepino, your mouth will have a burst of the juices.

Tasting Notes

When you bite into a pepino melon, you’ll first experience a burst of juiciness, followed by a delicate sweetness. It’s not as sugary as other melons, but it provides a cool, refreshing taste with a slightly floral note. If you’re eating it raw, it can be incredibly hydrating, and the mild flavor makes it a great palate cleanser.

Aroma

Ripe pepino melons have a sweet, mild fragrance that is reminiscent of honeydew and a touch of cucumber. The scent is part of what makes pepino melon so appealing.

The ripe pepino melons are sweet and refreshing. The key to knowing if they are ripe or not includes the following important points:

Color: A golden or yellow-colored pepino is a ripe one. Also, a ripe pepino is covered by purple or reddish streaks or spots. If your fruit is green, they still need time to ripen.

Texture: Try gently pressing pepino. If it's ripe, it will yield slightly to pressure. But if firm, it indicates it needs more time to ripen.

Smell: A ripe pepino melon will have a sweet, fruity aroma. In the unripe ones, you won't notice any characteristic smell.

Taste: If you’re unsure, you can taste a small piece of pepino. A ripe one will burst with juices and aroma in your mouth.

Unripe pepino melon should be stored at room temperature. After a few days, once it starts to ripen, transfer pepino to the refrigerator. This way, you can extend the shelf life of these fruits up to one week.

Except for normally eating pepino melons as a snack, they are also put into smoothies and salads. But you don't necessarily have to stick to these recipes, some unique ones to try to enjoy pepino beyond the usual recipes include:

Grilled Pepino

Pepino can be slightly grilled to bring a unique sweetness to the fruits. The heat applied while grilling caramelizes the natural sugars and the resulting dish will be a perfect side dish for any meal.

1. Take ripe pepino melons, wash them and peel off the skin (optional). Now, slice the peeled fruit into thick wedges or rounds, around 1/2 inch thick.
2. Each slice is then brushed with olive oil on each side.
3. Now, on the preheated grill, place the prepared pepino slices and grill them for a few minutes on each side.
4. As each side gets the grill marks and softens slightly, they are ready to be served.

Pepino with Prosciutto

Pairing cantaloupe/ melon with prosciutto is normal. So, as a twist to the original recipes, to create a perfect balance of sweet and salty, you can also combine prosciutto with pepino.

To prepare this dish, follow the steps given below:

1. Take pepino melons, wash and cut them into thin slices.
2. For prosciutto slices, you can use them whole or tear them into smaller slices for the best flavor.
3. After that, wrap each slice of pepino with a strip of prosciutto.
4. If you want that extra flavor, then, add a few ground black pepper sprinkles on top or garnish the with some herbPepino Melon Refresher

This combo can be perfect as an appetizer or a party snack.

Pepino Melon Refresher

Pepino melon can also be used to make a refreshing summer drink when the days get too hot. Pepino, mint leaves, lime and honey, with these minimal ingredients you can prepare this hydrating drink.

1. Take fresh pepino melon for the refreshing burst, peel them and remove all the seeds present.
2. Now, slice the melon into chunks.
3. Into the blender, throw in the pepino, mint leaves, lime juice and honey. Blend until a smooth mix is formed.
4. Once ready, taste and adjust the sweetness or lime juice to preference.
5. The refresher tastes best when served over ice. For a refreshing look, garnish the juice glass with mint sprigs and pepino melon slices.

Pepino Melon Cocktail

Pepino melon can also be incorporated into your regular cocktail recipe to get a fruity aroma and taste. This fresh twist with the melon's natural flavor can perfectly balance the strength of the drink, giving you a unique drink that is both smooth and light.

1. Get the pepino melon ready, wash it and slice it into small chunks. Peeling pepino melon is recommended for a more authentic taste.
2. Into the blender, place the pepino chunks and blend them until smooth. You can add a bit of water if needed to help with blending.
3. The blended mix is then strained to obtain a smooth drink.
4. Take all the ingredients in a shaker and combine them well.
5. It is also possible to prepare a non-alcoholic version. For that, you just need to replace the tequila/ vodka you are using with sparkling water or club soda.
6. Now, it's time to get the glass ready. Take your regular cocktail glass and fill it with ice cubes and over it, pour the strained mixed ingredients.
7. The drink that comes out is perfect for the summer, and with a proper garnish of herbs or pepino slices, the experience becomes of the next level!

Pepino Salsa

This easy-to-make dish brings a vibrant twist to classic salsa. The preparation method remains the same, the additional ingredients being diced pepino melon. Once prepared, serve the pepino salsa with chips, tacos, grilled meats, or as a topping for fish.

1. Take washed pepino melons and cut them into small cubes, bite-sized ones. Make sure you remove the seeds if you want a smooth salsa.
2. Take vegetables like onions, jalapeños, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers and cut them in a similar size as pepino. Mixing different colored vegetables that complement the yellow pepino will give appealing results.
3. Get all the ingredients together in a bowl.
4. Now, it's time for seasoning salsa. Nothing extra, just salt and a hint of pepper will work the best.
5. To get the juicy flavor, it's best to let the salsa sit for at least 30 minutes. For a chilled version, let it sit in the refrigerator.

There are several health benefits of pepino melon. Some of the major ones include:

Low In Calories and Sugars: Pepino melon is a fruit with low calories. Just looking at its value which is about 50 calories per serving, per 170 grams makes it a light fruit you can snack on without guilt.

As the fruit is not extremely sweet, the sugar value is also low in pepino. So, for diabetics, who have to stay away from most of the fruits, eating pepino won't cause that severe harm.

Hydrating: Pepinos are almost 97% water. So, whenever you are consuming this fruit, you are also increasing the chances of your body cells getting properly hydrated.

Has Essential Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin C, K, thiamine and niacin are some common vitamins present in pepino melon. Also, minerals like potassium, phosphorus and magnesium are present in varying amounts in this fruit. All of these vitamins and minerals are important to aid the proper functioning of body processes.

Good For Skin: We cannot overlook the advantages of antioxidants present in this fruit. Abundantly present, the antioxidants in pepino melon help keep the skin healthy. 

The antioxidants work together with vitamin C keeping skin cells free from effects like wrinkles and dark spots, caused by free radicals. Eating fruits rich in antioxidants is a natural way to keep skin protected from such conditions.

Supports Heart Health:  Antioxidants, polyphenols and potassium mineral, these constituents of pepino melon are beneficial for heart health. These compounds help to maintain the optimum blood flow whereas potassium helps to regulate the blood pressure.  

Good For Immune System: Vitamin C present in pepino melon works supporting the functions of the immune system. This in turn helps you keep healthy protecting against abnormalities.

Here are some facts related to Pepino melon:

Originated from South America

Pepinos are known to have originated from South America. These unique fruits are often described as a "melon pear" because of their melon-like sweetness and pear-like shape.

While they thrive in warm climates, they have also been found adaptable to environments with moderate temperatures.

Can Be Grown In Containers

It's not true that pepino can be grown only in spacious areas. Unlike traditional melons, pepino is not a vine, rather it is a small shrub. So, this less fussy fruit can grow well in smaller spaces and containers.

Perennial Plant

Pepino melon is a perennial plant, meaning it can live for several years, producing fruit season after season. Hence, getting this plant into your gardens means getting abundant fruit for many years once it gets successfully established.

Grows Well In Sandy Soil And Shaded Areas

Pepinos thrive in sandy soil and don't demand totally well-manured soil to survive. They are surprisingly adaptable and can even produce well in partially shaded areas of your garden. However, they produce fruits of the best quality in proper sunlight and nutrient-enriched soil.