Discover the Fun and Flavor of Horn Fruit (a.k.a. Kiwano Melon)

If you’re new to horn fruit, you’re in for a treat! A relative of the cucumber, horn fruit—also called Kiwano melon, jelly melon, or horned melon fruit—is a nutritious and colorful way to add variety to your diet, whether you’re snacking at your desk or at home. Here’s a bit more about the healthy horn fruit so that next time you see one, you’ll be ready to dig in!

What Does Horn Fruit Taste and Look Like?

Horn fruit delivers an exciting mix of flavors, including banana, cucumber, kiwi, and lime. Some people also describe the fruit as having a sweet and sour taste.

On the outside, Kiwano melons have spiky, golden shells that turn bright yellow-orange when they’re ripe. Cut inside, and you’ll see neon-green, jelly-like pulp with lots of small, tender, edible white seeds. Its vibrant colors and unusual shape make the Kiwano melon a fun fruit to serve up around the spooky season.

How to Eat Horn Fruit

Despite its little horns, you don’t have to be scared of the Kiwano melon. Just cut the fruit in half or into wedges, and eat it directly from the shell with a spoon. You can also squeeze or scoop out its jelly-like interior and add it to other dishes. Some people even reuse the shells as creative containers for ice cream!

Kiwano melon seeds are edible and contain antioxidants, including Vitamin E, which help prevent cell damage. Vitamin E specifically helps boost your immune system and prevent blood clots. If you prefer to eat the fruit without seeds, use a blender or sieve to separate the fruit, or simply use your teeth to take out the seeds as you eat the juicy flesh.

You can try using horn fruit to add a subtle flavor and color twist in:

• Salad dressings
• Salsas
• Sorbets
• Smoothies

Health Benefits of Kiwano Melon

For a small fruit, the Kiwano melon packs a punch with beneficial nutrients. In fact, the World Health Organization recognized it as an essential fruit in the fight against disease and malnutrition because it contains vital nutrients, minerals, and organic compounds and can grow well in many different parts of the world.

Similar to the seeds, Kiwano melon flesh is a good source of Vitamin C, iron, and magnesium. Like many fruits, it provides your body with fiber—about 8% of your daily needs per fruit—which keeps your digestive system working well.

Another health benefit of horned melon fruit is its water content. Horn fruit is about 89% water and contains electrolytes like magnesium and potassium that can help your body stay hydrated. In its native habitat of Africa, its water content makes horn fruit a prized food in times of drought.

Three Fun Facts About Horned Melon Fruit

1. Kiwano melon is also known as “horned melon” because its skin is covered with little spikes.
2. Originally from Africa, horned melon made its way to Australia and New Zealand, where it got the name “Kiwano” because its flesh has a similar color to kiwi fruit and even tastes a bit like it!
3. Horned melon fruit grows on vines, similar to zucchini and cucumber. One plant can produce as many as 100 fruits! It grows well in many parts of the world, including California and Washington.

How to Choose and Store Kiwano Melon

Since Kiwano melon thrives in the heat, look for the fruit in summer through late fall when it’s in season, though it may be available year-round as it grows in both hemispheres.

Horn fruit may be green when you buy it, but just give it time. Store the fruit at room temperature until it turns bright yellow-orange, which is the signal that it’s ripe and ready to eat! If you choose not to eat it right away, never fear: Unopened, these hardy fruits will keep well on the counter for several months after they’re picked—no refrigeration required!

Bring Fun to Your Workplace with Horn Fruit

With its fantastical shape and color, horn fruit is a perfect pick for your office when you want to introduce something new. It also makes for a refreshing treat for a fruit tasting event at your workplace in the summer!

At The FruitGuys, we offer horn fruit in bulk cases to stock your break room or kick-start conversation at your next team event. We work with local farmers in California and beyond to source the freshest fruit to deliver to you.

Find out if fresh Kiwano melon is currently available in your region.

Happy horn fruit adventures!

Horn Fruit FAQs

1. Can I eat Kiwano melon raw?

Yes! One of the qualities that makes the Kiwano melon a great snack is that you can eat it right from its shell. Just cut the fruit in half, lengthwise, or into slices, then grab a spoon and enjoy!

2. How do you know if a Kiwano melon is ripe?

A Kiwano melon will turn bright yellow-orange when it’s ripe. Before that, it may be green or golden yellow.

3. Where can I buy fresh horn fruit?

Look for fresh horn fruit at farmers markets and specialty food stores, especially in the summer. You can also order horn fruit by the case from The FruitGuys when it’s in season.

4. What are the best recipes using Kiwano melon?

Kiwano melon is a great addition to many dishes, sides, and toppings, like salsa, sorbet, and salads. You can also add the fruit to chia pudding or overnight oats. Lastly, you can cut a slice and put it in your water when you want to infuse some fresh flavor as you stay hydrated.