I am a huge fan of fruit, in particular, I love melons. From the small but super delicious Korean melon to the cantaloupe to the honeydew, and of course the watermelon, with plenty in between like the canary melon and the Piel de Sapo. In this article, I talk all about the Hami Melon, or Chinese Hami Melon, or snow melon.
Learn all about the amazing Hami melon, where it comes from and where it grows, what the nutritional benefits are, how to eat it, and what it tastes like. It is one awesome melon. On to the information!
Where does the Hami Melon come from and where does it grow?
The Hami melon originated in Hami, Xinjiang, China. It belongs to the muskmelon family and looks very similar to a cantaloupe although it is oblong instead of spherical. It is sometimes referred to as a Chinese Hami Melon or Snow Melon.
There are more than 100 cultivated varieties that range from white to yellow. Although they originated in China, they are cultivated around the world and grow in many other Asian countries. Hot sunny locations are great places to grow these melons.
They are cultivated in Mexico and are found in limited markets in the United States, like Arizona, California, and the other Western States. I currently have some growing in my patio garden in Phoenix.
What are their nutritional benefits?
This fruit is very nutritious and packed vitamins and minerals:
- Low in calories
- Excellent source of Vitamin A
- Excellent source of Vitamin C
- Rich in antioxidants
- Good source of potassium
- Moderate levels of Vitamin B
How to eat Hami Melon
To tell if the Hami melon is ripe it should have a little bit of a give to it when pressed on the sides and on the stem ends. Also when you smell the stem ends they should smell fruity. Depending on the variety, there shouldn’t be any green left on it either.
Keep an eye out for dark spots black or brown, could mean they are over ripe.
There are many ways that you can eat the Hami melon. Just treat it like you would most melons. Begin by slicing it in half, lengthwise.
Then scoop out the seeds and pulp with a spoon. You don’t eat the seeds and pulp as you would the Korean Melon. You may want to save the seeds and try planting them as well.
If you would like to save the other half of the melon, keep the seeds in it, and just wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge where it will last for a few days.
Now you can just use your spoon and scoop out the flesh and eat it that way if you like, or use a melon baller, and take out pieces of melon for a fruit salad or something.
Or you might want to slice that half into a few pieces lengthwise, similar to other melons, and then just pick up each slice and eat it.
You may also want to cut it into chunks instead. Run your knife along with the rind and then slice down to create chunks. Be careful with your fingers!
Again, just treat this like several other melons. It is almost like an oblong cantaloupe.
What does the Hami melon taste like?
First of all if you love Cantaloupe you will love these. They are sweet and refreshing. And taste very similar to a Cantaloupe. I think it has a bit more flavor with about the same texture though. Of course taste is subjective.
If you are a fan of melons, give one of these a try if you find them. I find them at my local Asian Supermarket, but also have them growing in my garden. Enjoy!
Watch my video I made about the Hami Melon!
Had never heard of these but bought one at Costco today. Never sure when to cut it so found your video here and will wait til the ends are softer and have aroma. Mine is too hard…but no green. I wonder if it ripens faster if placed in brown paper bag.
Thank you for reviewing it. Your pleasure in eating it makes me ever so anxious to try it.
Glad you found one! And you are very welcome! Most melons actually don’t continue ripening after picked, they will get a little softer but not any sweeter. Just give it a few days and then cut into it 🙂
I was served these as a dessert at a Chinese restaurant in LA and they were great! my whole family loved them, so I bought one to take home from the restaurant for $10! Now you’re telling me they cost a dollar in some stores? Sigh… I guess I live in the wrong coast. 😑
I just think that was the wrong place to buy one. They do grow these in California. I bet if you went to a local Asian Supermarket there where you live and go to the fruit section, and if they carry them, I am more than willing to be they will be cheaper.
I bought one of these melons at the grocery store today. (I have never really found a ripe melon in the store.) However, decided to try. Very pale melon, hard to see rind. Texture – crispy, like a raw potato. Mild, sweet flavor. I think I’ll have to grow them myself to get a true taste.
Save the seeds! Maybe try another one from the store as well, in case the one you picked wasn’t as ripe.
Hi, my neighbor brought some over to me and I tasted it and I love it. I do not like cantaloupe even though it looks like cantaloupe it does not taste like cantaloupe and it’s crunchy and I am hooked. Thank you very much
Glad you were able to try it and liked it!! You are welcome!
Just bought one at the Costco in Fairfax, VA. It was grown on a farm in Blythe, CA. They are in fact very similar to cantaloupe. Same color and flavor. However, they are crispy (like an apple), and I kind of like that about it!
Glad you got to try one and liked it!
LOL. We just got one from Costco Middle River, MD. I was wondering what it would be like and you are right. Sweet and crunchy. Reminds me of an Asian Pear in texture.
Awesome! Glad you found it.
Just bought one yesterday, never had one before, I peeled it and sliced it..don’t know if it was ripe enough, mine didn’t have much flavor but was juicy..reminds me of watermelon and a cantaloupe.
Glad you tried one! Yeah it may not have been ripe enough.
The local 99 Only dollar stores sell the best Hami’s! Sometimes they’re as big as watermelons and sometimes they’re about the size of a large cantaloupe. We live in Gilbert and I find them at all 99 Only stores in the east valley. They sell out very quickly when they do have them in stock! A buck.99 each, can’t beat that price!
That is awesome! I live in Mesa and find them at the Superstition Springs Ranch Market as well. And no, you can’t beat that price!!
Costco in SoCal is selling Hami Melons right now!
Awesome! Yeah I found them at my local ranch market a few miles away. Good price there as well.
We lived in Apache Junction for several winters (snowbirds!) and I dearly loved that Superstition Springs market. Missing it something fierce because our produce here isn’t as good and it costs quite a bit more. Lucky you!!
That is awesome! Yeah the Superstition Springs market is the best! love that place haha.