Judging by their appearance, melon pears should taste delicious. Aromatically somewhere between melon and pear, right? But knowledge is better than guesswork. That's why we have studied the statements of those who have tried them and summarized them here for you.
How does the melon pear taste?
The flesh of a ripe melon pear issweetand hasflavorsreminiscent ofmelon and pearremember. The peel has no taste and the kernels have a slight bitter note and are therefore rarely eaten. The texture is more crunchy than soft. Melon pear tastes best raw.
How do I recognize a ripe melon pear?
Melon pears, also known as pear melons and pepinos, require around 90 days in this country from pollination until they are ready to harvest and therefore edible. Depending on the variety, the fruits are around 20 cm long and weigh around 300 grams. But don't go by the calendar or by size. Only these ripeness characteristics indicate that a fruit has developed an optimum taste:
- the fruitsmells sweet
- theshell color has changed depending on the variety
- is e.g. B. melon yellow with purple stripes
- Fruit gives upfinger pressure gives slightly
What do unripe melon pears taste like?
The taste of an unripe melon pear will certainly not be as sweet and aromatic as a ripe one, but that is secondary. It is crucial to know that an unripe fruit is poisonous to humans. It contains a lot of solanine, which causes nausea and stomach problems after consumption.
Does melon pear also taste good cooked?
Melon pears are most aromatic when raw. They are therefore spooned out as a fruit snack, prepared as a fruit salad and eaten with ham. You could also make jam or chutney from them, but heating them will significantly weaken theiraroma, which is why this is not necessarily recommended.
How long do harvested melon pears last?
Riply harvested melon pears should be stored in a humid and cool place, but not below 5 °C, otherwise cold damage can occur. They will last for aboutthree weeksin thevegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Unripe melon pears should be stored at room temperature so that they can continue to ripen. Incidentally, you should harvest ripe Pepinos promptly and store them until they are needed instead of leaving them on the plant. Because they can quickly become overripe and mushy.
Tip
Take advantage of pear melon for larger harvests
The nightshade plant, which comes from Peru, can form shoots that do not bear flowers. You should harvest these as soon as possible, then more fruit will form on other shoots.
