Korean Yellow Melon (참외)

Some weeks back, I bought this bright looking yellow melon, Chamae (참외), from a local supermarket.  This fruit is very common in Korea all year round from Spring to Winter.  The Korean melon season starts from spring to summer.  The fruits are harvested during that period and are kept subsequently in the chiller so that the fruit is available whole year round.



 

Similar to the types of melon fruits, there are seeds in the centre.  Can you eat it?  Yes, you can.  In fact, the centre section is the sweetest portion of the fruit.  The texture of the outer section has a soft crunch, just like the other melon fruits.  Do you need to peel it before eating?  Actually, there is no hard and fast way to go about it.  It depends on individual preference.  Generally, the skin can be eaten but if you prefer not to, then it is alright to peel it.  This fruit is known to be rich in Vitamin A and C, folate, calcium, potassium and dietary fibre.  During the hot summer weather, this fruit gives us more energy to fight the fatigue.

Typically, the fruit is cut vertically and can be cut into thinner slices that what you see in the above picture.  It is best eaten when chilled.  For live demonstration on how to prepare the cut fruit, watch this youtube video.



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