What Does Winter Melon Taste Like?

If you’ve ever come across a winter melon at your local market and wondered what it tastes like, you are not alone.

A relatively uncommon fruit, winter melon looks like a cross between a watermelon and a cucumber and is often used in Asian cuisines!

So, what does winter melon taste like? Winter melon has a mild sweetness and delicate flavor that can be compared to butternut squash. Often compared to the taste of cucumber or the white rind of a watermelon, it has an almost grassy flavor.

Read on to find out more about winter melon, what it tastes like, how it is used, and much more!

What Is Winter Melon?

Winter melon, also called ash gourd, wax gourd, white gourd, winter gourd, and white honeydew, is a member of the gourd family which includes melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini, and other types of squash.

It gets its name from the fact that despite being grown in the summer and autumn time, it can be stored for up to 3-4 months and enjoyed during the winter. 

Its appearance also plays a factor in the fruit’s seasonal name as an immature winter melon has fine fuzzy hair on its skin reminiscent of snow. Although once it matures, it loses all the fuzz and develops a waxy coating.

Winter melon looks like a large watermelon with its dark-green skin and oblong shape (some are rounder). They can grow longer than a foot and weigh more than 40 pounds! However, unlike watermelons, both the flesh and seeds are white.

It is most commonly used in Asian food and is a popular ingredient in soups, sweets, beverages, and pickles.

There are several health benefits of eating winter melon. They are a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber, and are low in calories and rich in antioxidants.

In addition to that, they help improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity. 

What Does Winter Melon Taste Like?

When buying winter melon, you will generally come across two different versions: the mature fruit or the immature, fuzzy version that is smaller in size.

Mature winter melon has a mild taste while immature winter melon is much sweeter and can be compared to a cantaloupe. The overall flavor compares to a cucumber or the white part of a watermelon.

Some people find it rather flavorless, and it can be bland at first, but the good thing about it is that it can take on bold and dynamic flavors and works well in both sweet and savory dishes.

When eaten raw, such as in salads, it tastes crunchy and juicy and refreshes your palate. When cooked, it becomes softer and retains its flavor and juiciness.

Any spices and flavorings added to cooked winter melon will also have an effect on how it tastes.

What Is The Texture Of Winter Melon?

Winter melon has a dense flesh that is crispy and water-rich, similar to a cucumber and watermelon. The moist texture becomes more prominent when it undergoes cooking and the flesh becomes soft and tender.

The outer skin is waxy and you wouldn’t want to eat the rind as it is too tough to bite into. While not having any such culinary uses, winter melon skin may be dried and ground up to be used as a herbal supplement.

How To Pick The Best Tasting Winter Melon

If you are buying pre-sliced winter melons, make sure you get ones that have a clean, firm, and whitish flesh. Keep in mind that the more yellow the flesh is, the less fresh it will be.

When buying whole winter melon, choose one that feels heavy, firm, and dense. You can determine the ripeness of the fruit by tapping on its underbelly. If it makes a deep, hollow sound, it is ripe and full of juice.

How To Cook With Winter Melon

When cooking with winter melon, the skin and seeds need to be removed, along with the soft flesh that holds the seeds.

After cutting the harder white flesh into cubes or slices, it can be steamed, simmered, braised, and added to stir-fries.

After it is cooked, the flesh becomes softer and, due to its mild flavor, can be seasoned with strong herbs and spices.

Winter melon can be used in a variety of recipes, from soups cooked with mushrooms and ham to desserts such as cakes. 

It is also used to make clear candies and is a popular ingredient in fillings and pastries similar to moon cakes. The neutral flavor of winter melon makes it a good addition to stir-fry dishes with savory meats.

In addition to that, winter melon is also a popular ingredient for beverages including sweetened yogurt smoothies where it is blended with stronger-tasting fruit such as watermelons.

To make winter melon juice, the pureed flesh is strained and mixed with some lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Many people in Southeast Asia and Taiwan also enjoy winter melon tea in the hot summer months to cool down!

What Does Winter Melon Milk Tea Taste Like?

Winter melon milk tea is basically a combination of milk tea and winter melon syrup. It is a popular beverage among tea drinkers in the United States as it has a cooling effect and caramel-like flavor that is simply delicious.

Winter melon tea is a popular beverage due to its light, fruity, and refreshing taste. Despite its name having the word “tea” in it, there isn’t always tea in winter melon tea!

Also called winter melon punch or teh kundru in Malaysia and Indonesia, winter melon syrup is made from the flesh of winter melon cooked with brown sugar and rock sugar.

Like most milk teas, the base ingredients of this drink are tea, milk, and fruit syrup, which in this case is winter melon syrup. Its taste will be determined by the type of tea you use, such as jasmine or oolong.

To make the milk tea, all you have to do is add some tea leaves to boiling water and let it steep for 3-5 minutes. Once done, set it aside to cool.

Pour the tea and winter melon syrup (recipe below) into a glass with ice cubes. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and serve chilled. To make it more exciting, you can also add tapioca pearls and turn it into a boba drink!

Related Questions

Now that you know all about winter melons and what they taste like, here are a few additional questions we thought you might have!

What is the difference between winter melon and fuzzy melon?

Fuzzy melon is the name given to the younger version of a winter melon. It is significantly smaller than a mature winter melon and looks more like a hairy zucchini.

Fuzzy melon is sweeter than winter melon but both absorb the taste of other ingredients when cooked, which is why they are often used interchangeably in recipes.

What is the best way to store winter melons?

Whole winter melons have a long shelf life and will keep for months if kept in a cool and dry place.

Once sliced, their life is significantly shortened to only a couple of days in the refrigerator in an airtight bag or container. You may also preserve winter melons by pickling them.

Can you freeze winter melon?

Yes, you can freeze winter melon without damaging its texture. Simply slice it up, place it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, and tuck it away in the freezer till you are ready to use it.

This is a good way of prolonging its shelf by several months, provided that the storage conditions are ideal.

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