Christmas melon
圣诞瓜 · melon Krismas
Christmas melon in October (this month)
No fresh crop this month
Best option: Spain, Brazil, from storage or late season.
SpainBrazil
Fresh cropStored / lateNot shipping
Stored or late season (2)
ES
SpainMurcia, Castilla-La Mancha
StoredPiel de Sapo
About 3 months since harvest
Harvest Jun–Sep. Keeps for months, which is how it got its Christmas name in Spain.
BR
BrazilRio Grande do Norte, Ceará
StoredPele de Sapo
Early season, limited supply
Sep–Mar from Brazil's dry north-east. The main source when Spanish supply ends.
How to pick at the shelf
- WeightHeavy for its size.
- EndsThe blossom end (opposite the stem) gives slightly and smells sweet.
- RindA yellowish tinge between the green mottling means riper fruit.
- AvoidSoft, sunken patches or cracks.
At home
KeepCounter whole, fridge cut
Lasts2–3 weeks whole, 4–5 days cut
Whole melons keep remarkably well in a cool spot. Chill before eating for the best flavour.
Buying tips (3)
- Christmas melon (Piel de Sapo, 'toad skin') has a mottled green rind and pale, crisp, very sweet flesh.
- It stores well, so it's on shelves for much of the year, best Jul–Mar.
- A good choice when you want something sweeter and crisper than honeydew.
Common questions
- When is christmas melon season in Singapore?
- Spain: Jul–Sep; Brazil: Nov–Mar. Fresh-crop months by origin.
- Which country's christmas melon is best in October?
- Only stored fruit is available: Spain, Brazil.
- How do I pick a ripe christmas melon?
- Weight: Heavy for its size. Ends: The blossom end (opposite the stem) gives slightly and smells sweet. Rind: A yellowish tinge between the green mottling means riper fruit. Avoid: Soft, sunken patches or cracks.
- How should I store christmas melon?
- Counter whole, fridge cut. Lasts 2–3 weeks whole, 4–5 days cut. Whole melons keep remarkably well in a cool spot. Chill before eating for the best flavour.