Korean Summer Fruit - Watermelon (수박)

In Singapore, 1 fruit which I feel we have almost taken for granted is the watermelon.  It is available at the food centres and fruit juice stalls that we may sometimes forget how fortunate we are that watermelon is here the whole year round.

In Korea, watermelon is a summer fruit which means you don't get it anytime.  It is said that the sweetest watermelon is from Buyeo 부여 (at south Chungcheong province) during summer.  And also, it is expensive!!  USD$13.50 for 1 watermelon selling at the traditional market in Korea!  But I have to confess that how much 1 whole watermelon costs in Singapore because we often buy them in slices at the fruit juice stalls.  But I reckon that 1 whole watermelon would not costs more than S$10?

Like the Chinese saying "物以稀为贵", we tend to treasure things that are rare to us.  Look at what fascinating dishes that had been created from this summer fruit - watermelon ^^  Kalguksu!  This is amazing!

 



 

Related Posts:

Korean Yellow Melon (click)

Summer Dessert Patbingsu (click)

Seafood from Jebu Island (click)

 



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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