Melon mania is upon us right now, and you can find an abundance of different melon varieties filling the shelves of our Harvest Hall fruiterers. Think hot summer days cooled down with a few slices of cold, tasty melon – what could be better? To help you navigate your Market melon shop, we’ve put together our very own melon guide (you’re welcome!).
Melon varieties
Melons are grown across most states and territories within Australia with significant volumes produced in Victoria, meaning you are getting the freshest melons on offer right here at the Market.
Melon varieties produced in Australia are:
Watermelon
Nothing screams summer in Australia like watermelon. Juicy, sweet, and sticky, it’s just the quencher you need for our hot summer afternoons. And it’s readily available across all fruit stalls in the Market.
You might be surprised to know that although watermelon is around 92% water it is also packed with significant levels of vitamins A, C, magnesium and lots of antioxidants and amino acids.
Ask your friendly Market fruiterer if they carry the seedless variety, which is increasing in popularity across Australia.
Rockmelon
Also known as cantaloupe, rockmelon is at its peak now. Many people can be a little lukewarm when it comes to rockmelon, usually because they’ve only experienced the pale, out-of-season rockmelons that tend to lack flavour. But believe us when we say if you buy during peak season, they are the most amazing, peach-orange colour – we’re talking lush, juicy and full of deep flavour.
Honeydew
Sometimes a lesser-known melon is the honeydew. Not to be mistaken with the rockmelon which looks similar on the outside (although more cream in colour compared to the honeydew, which is white or gold skinned), the flesh colour of the honeydew ranges from pale green to green. Honeydew is also slightly sweeter than the rockmelon.
Selecting and storing your melons
When it comes to shopping for melons, the heavier, the better, we say. This indicates it is full of refreshing and nutritious juice. You’ll also want to make sure that the skin or rind of your melon is firm with no blemishes.
Rockmelons should have an even netting around the entire melon and a sweet aroma. When shopping for watermelon be sure to lift it up, as the underside of the watermelon should have a creamy spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
Whole melons can be kept at room temperature for a few days. Once cut, make sure you cover your slices and refrigerate. This should keep your melon fresh for up to a week.
Creative ways with melons
Melons are best eaten raw and even better cold when it’s a hot day, however, they are so versatile they can be served as part of any meal of the day.
Chop up your melons and add to your favourite breakfast cereal or yoghurt, or serve as a dessert after dinner with a big dollop of ice-cream or cream.
If savoury is more your thing, try adding melons to salty dishes. Melons pair beautifully with prosciutto, scallops, feta, lamb and tomato.
For a little bit of inspiration visit our Recipes page.
*Nutritional information from melon guide sourced from Healthline
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