Interesting Facts About Honeydew

Summer is the perfect time for sweet fruits, including the juicy honeydew melon. Honeydew, sometimes known as honeymelon, is a variety of melon that originated in France and Algeria. It belongs to Cucurbitacea, the gourd family to which melons and vegetables like squashes, pumpkins, and cucumbers belong. Cavaillon, a town in Provence, France, is considered to be capital of all melons, including honeydew. Normally the flesh of honeydew is green in color, but sometimes it can also be orange.

Honeydew nutrition facts

One serving of honeydew melon (almost 5 ounces) contains the following:

• Calories: 48
• Total fat: 0.2 g
  • Saturated fat: 0.1 g
  • Polyunsaturated fat: 0.1 g
  • Monounsaturated fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 24 mg (1% of daily recommended value)
• Potassium: 306 mg (8% of daily recommended value)
• Total carbohydrate: 12 g (4% of daily recommended value)
• Dietary fiber: 1.1 g (4% of daily recommended value)
• Sugar: 11 g
• Protein: 0.7 g (1% of daily recommendation)

One serving of honeydew also contains the following vitamins:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B-6
• Magnesium
• Iron

Honeydew melon benefits

There are many health benefits of honeydew melon. Honeydew is a source of the trace mineral copper, which is important for healthy skin. It helps your body regenerate skin cells and tissues.

Honeydew melon is considered a good source of vitamin C, with 40% of the recommended daily value in just one serving. Like copper, vitamin C can also help provide healthy skin. It is also notorious for immune system health, helping you prevent illness and infection.

The B vitamins in honeydew help the body to expel toxins. B vitamins are also thought to prevent Alzheimer's disease and heart disease.

Honeydew is 90% water, making it a hydrating and healthful snack. Because of the amount of calories in honeydew, its high water content and levels of potassium, honeydew is recommended as a staple in a low blood pressure diet. 

Canteloupe is a fruit related to the honeydew melon. A wedge of honeydew provides 64 calories, 14g of natural sugar and about half of the recommended daily amounts of vitamin C. A similar size of cantaloupe also provides almost the same amount of calories and sugar, 120% of the daily recommendation of vitamin A and 108% of vitamin C.

How to pick a ripe honeydew

If you're looking for a honeydew melon to eat within the next few days, you should look for one that is very ripe. Follow the below tips to pick the perfectly ripe honeydew melon.

1. Smell it! If your melon smells like a melon, it should be just about ready to eat. You should smell a subtle sweetness and a fresh viney scent.
2. Push it! Push on the spot at the end where you can see that it was snipped from the vine. If the melon is ready to eat, that spot will be slightly soft.
3. Hold it! Compare weight of a few melons of the same size. If you have two melons that are the same size, the heavier one is likely more ripe and juicy than the lighter one. 
4. Inspect it! Avoid getting a honeydew that has any cracks, soft spots, growths, or bruises. When it comes to the skin consistency, choose a skin that is more dull, not more shiny. The skin should also be very light yellow in color, not green.
5. Tap it! A ripe honeydew melon will sound slightly more hollow than an unripe melon.

How to store honeydew

Before cutting them, store them in a cool, dry spot, away from vegetables. Once you cut wedges, wrap them in tin foil or plastic. Be sure to eat them within the next 3 days.

Can dogs eat honeydew?

In general, melons are not particularly harmful to dogs. However, fruits are not processed too well by dogs compared to humans because of the fibers and sugars. Too much honeydew may upset your dog's stomach and cause him or her to vomit or have diarrhea. The fibers could also block the intestinal tract since they are not easily digestible. If you give your dog a piece of honeydew melon, be sure to remove all seeds and bits of rind. Think of it as a treat or snack, not as a source of nutrition for your dog. Your dog still needs his or her dog food.

The many uses for honeydew melon

Because of its texture, water content, mild sweetness, and overall mild flavor and consistency, honeydew melon is perfect to combine with other foods. If you're looking to incorporate more honeydew melon into your diet, follow these tips below.

Honeydew melon sorbet

Any fruit that has a high water content makes for an excellent and silky sorbet. Cut up 1 honeydew melon (not the rind) into cubes and freeze on a baking sheet for 4+ hours or overnight. Put the frozen fruit in a food processor with the juice of half a lemon, a splash of water, and a pinch of sugar (you can use honey, too). Pulse and add water if necessary, until you achieve a soft texture. Serve immediately or store in the freezer. You can also add other flavors to boost this recipe, such as fresh berries, mint, salt, lime, or other fruits.

Honeydew juice

You can make honeydew juice by pureeing the fruit (not the rind) and straining puree. You can use this juice as a base for cocktails, as an addition into juices, lemonades, and smoothies, or you can freeze it to make honeydew ice cubes!

Honeydew antipasti

Create a platter of balled honeydew melon, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and prosciutto for a sweet-and-savory treat. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar if you'd like a sharp tang.

Honeydew and coconut

Fresh honeydew and fresh coconut are a perfect match because of their delicately sweet and light flavors. Try eating honeydew with unsweetened coconut milk, and use a little lime juice to brighten up the flavor. Honeydew and coconut can also be used as a base for a chilled soup or smoothie.