When is rock melon season in Singapore?

Australia: Sep–Apr; Malaysia: all year; Japan: May–Aug. Fresh-crop months by origin.

How do I pick a ripe rock melon?

Netting: Raised, even, cream-coloured netting over a golden background, not green. Smell: A sweet, musky smell at the stem end. Stem end: A clean, slightly sunken scar means it slipped off the vine ripe. Avoid: Soft, wet patches or cracks.

Rock melon

网纹瓜 · tembikai wangi

Rock melon in October (this month)

Look for Australia, Malaysia

These origins are in fresh-crop season.

AustraliaMalaysiaJapan

Fresh cropStored / lateNot shipping

Fresh crop now (2)

AustraliaQueensland, Northern Territory, Riverland

Fresh crop

Rockmelon (cantaloupe)

New crop, harvest 1 month in

Supplied year-round from different states, best Sep–Apr.

MalaysiaJohor, Pahang

Fresh crop

Rock melon, golden melon, greenhouse musk melon

Harvested all year

Grown all year. Includes Japanese-style musk melons grown in greenhouses, such as Unifarm Fujisawa.

Skip this month (1)

JapanShizuoka, Hokkaido

Off season

Crown muskmelon, Yubari King

Not shipping now

Greenhouse luxury melons sold as gifts. Yubari King peaks Jun–Aug.

How to pick at the shelf

NettingRaised, even, cream-coloured netting over a golden background, not green.
SmellA sweet, musky smell at the stem end.
Stem endA clean, slightly sunken scar means it slipped off the vine ripe.
AvoidSoft, wet patches or cracks.

At home

KeepCounter until ripe, then fridge

Lasts3–4 days cut

Wash the rind before cutting, since netting can trap dirt that the knife carries into the flesh.

Brand or variety on the label

Unifarm FujisawaMusk melon Rock melon

Buying tips (2)

Rock melon is good all year from Malaysia and Australia, so ripeness matters more than origin.
Japanese muskmelons are gift fruit at gift prices. Leave them a few days until the base softens.

Common questions

When is rock melon season in Singapore?: Australia: Sep–Apr; Malaysia: all year; Japan: May–Aug. Fresh-crop months by origin.
Which country's rock melon is best in October?: Look for Australia, Malaysia.
How do I pick a ripe rock melon?: Netting: Raised, even, cream-coloured netting over a golden background, not green. Smell: A sweet, musky smell at the stem end. Stem end: A clean, slightly sunken scar means it slipped off the vine ripe. Avoid: Soft, wet patches or cracks.
How should I store rock melon?: Counter until ripe, then fridge. Lasts 3–4 days cut. Wash the rind before cutting, since netting can trap dirt that the knife carries into the flesh.