Melon Facts

Learn fun melon facts and general information about melons. This page includes watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon facts, plus how melons grow, how to choose and store them, nutrition facts, and easy watermelon recipe ideas for kids.

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Fun Melon Facts

Melons are available fresh in the summertime.
Melons grow from seeds on long vines.
Common melons include watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew.
Melons are usually eaten raw and are popular in fruit salads and snacks.
Watermelon is extra juicy and contains lycopene.

How Melons Grow, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Melons Are Available

Melons are most commonly available fresh in the summertime.

How Do Melons Grow?

Melons grow from seeds planted in the garden. They grow on vines that spread out and can become quite long.

What to Look for When Buying Melons

Choose a melon that feels heavy for its size. For watermelon, a heavier melon often means it is juicier. Look for a yellow spot on the underside of a watermelon. Cantaloupe and honeydew should smell sweet when ripe.

Melon Storage Tips

Store cut melons in the refrigerator. If the melon is still whole, keep it in a cool, dark place until you are ready to use it.

Kid Tip: Melons can be slippery and large, so adult help is a good idea when cutting them.

How to Cook with Melons

How to Use Melons

Wash the outside of the melon before cutting.
Cut the melon into slices, cubes, or scoop out balls with a melon baller.
Use melon in fruit salads, smoothies, punches, or simple snack ideas.

Cooking Tip: Melons are usually eaten raw, which makes them a great fruit for beginner kitchen jobs like scooping, mixing, and arranging.

Melon Types and Texture

Watermelon is very juicy and crisp.

Cantaloupe is soft, sweet, and orange inside.

Honeydew is pale green inside and has a smooth, sweet flavor.

Each melon tastes a little different, but all are refreshing fruits for warm weather.

Food Science: Why Watermelon Is So Juicy

Why Does Watermelon Have So Much Juice?

Watermelon contains a lot of water inside its cells, which is why it feels so refreshing when you eat it.

Fruits with high water content can help cool you down and make good summer snacks.

Mini Activity

Compare Three Melons

Look at watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew.
Talk about the color inside each one.
Describe how each melon smells and feels.
Decide which one is the juiciest, sweetest, or best for fruit salad.

Melon Nutrition Facts

A 1/2 cup of cubed melon counts as one serving. Melons provide vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, and watermelon also contains lycopene.

Melons provide vitamin A.
They provide vitamin C.
They contain potassium.
They also contain vitamin B6.
Watermelon contains lycopene.

More Food Fact Resources

Melon Recipes

Tehmena's Silly Watermelon Punch

This easy watermelon punch blends watermelon, apple, ice, and sugar, then gets topped with a splash of soda for a fun drink.

By Tehmena

Category: Drink
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: No cooking
Yield: 2 to 4 servings

Ingredients

8 ice cubes
1 apple, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 to 2 cups watermelon, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons lemon-lime soft drink, such as 7 Up

Directions

Place the ice, chopped apple, watermelon, and sugar in a blender.
Blend until mixed but not completely smooth.
Pour into cups halfway, then top with the soft drink and serve.

Teaching Tip: This is a good beginner blender recipe for practicing measuring, pouring, and tasting fruit combinations with adult help.

Try this recipe for Watermelon Slushie also.

Watermelon Cones

A healthy and playful watermelon treat made with cones, frosting, berries, and scoops of watermelon.

Category: Snack
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: No cooking
Yield: Varies

Ingredients

Ice cream cake cones
Cream cheese frosting
Blueberries or chopped strawberries
Seedless watermelon
Sprinkles

Directions

Fill the bottom of each cone with a tablespoon of cream cheese frosting.
Add a spoonful of blueberries or chopped strawberries over the frosting.
Place a scoop of seedless watermelon on top and add sprinkles before serving.

Fun Idea: These are great for birthday parties, summer snacks, or Fourth of July treats.

Watermelon Slice Snack

Up your watermelon snack with this easy idea.

Category: Snack
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: No cooking

Ingredients

Watermelon slice
Yogurt
Sliced bananas
Berries
Nuts or granola, optional

Directions

Add a spoonful of yogurt to a watermelon slice.
Top with sliced bananas, berries, and optional nuts or granola.
Serve right away.

Serving Tip: This is a fun way to turn fruit into a colorful breakfast or snack.

More Watermelon Ideas

Fruit Salad Recipes

Use watermelon in fruit salads for a juicy and colorful mix.

Smoothie Recipes

Add watermelon to smoothies for a fresh summer drink.

Watermelon Bites

Try another fun watermelon snack idea kids will enjoy.

Frozen Watermelon Slush

Turn watermelon into a cool summer slush drink.

Kids Cooking Video Fun: Watermelon Jack o Lantern

Melon Facts FAQ

When are melons in season?

Melons are most commonly available fresh in the summertime.

How do melons grow?

Melons grow from seeds on long vines that spread across the ground.

How do you pick a good melon?

Choose a melon that feels heavy. Watermelons often have a yellow spot underneath when ripe, and cantaloupe or honeydew should smell sweet.

How should melons be stored?

Store cut melons in the refrigerator. Whole melons can be kept in a cool, dark place until ready to use.

What nutrients are in melons?

Melons provide vitamins A and C, potassium, vitamin B6, and watermelon also contains lycopene.

Keep Learning About Melons

Food Facts Hub

Explore more ingredient pages and food learning ideas.

Kids Cooking Lessons

Build more kitchen skills with hands-on lessons and activities.

Watermelon Bites

Try another easy watermelon recipe idea.

Smoothies

Add melon to smoothie recipes for a cool summer treat.

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Watermelon Bites Not rated yet
Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 8 oz. Feta, crumbled 3 T. half & half 1/3 c. balsamic …

Frozen Watermelon Slush Not rated yet
Prep time: 10 minutes (+ time to freeze watermelon) Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 6 c. seedless watermelon, cut into small chunks and frozen 2 c. water …

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