Fresh Aussie Melons
Watermelon and Rockmelons: all year long, all Australian
The beauty of such a big country is that we can grow and enjoy melons all year. Our melons are grown all around Australia in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.
Where do our melons come from?
Our melons are grown all the way from NSW to the Northern Territory. Our watermelons are grown in such areas as Bowen and Bundaberg in QLD, in the NSW Riverina, and in Katherine NT. Our rockmelons are also grown in Bundaberg QLD, and in Gumlu QLD, Mataranka NT, and Griffith NSW, among other areas.
Refreshing rockmelon and watermelon facts
How to pick a good watermelon or rockmelon
Watermelons with dark green skin will be the ripest. Rockmelons are known to have a tan, netted texture on their rind - beneath that the colour should be a golden orange shade.
Also look for the melon's sweet spot.
For a little extra sweetness, look for rockmelons and watermelons with an orange ‘field spot’ – from where the fruit has been lying on the ground.
How to cut watermelon and rockmelon.
Freshly cut is an easy way to enjoy melons. They’re a sure crowd-pleaser for hosting and daily on-the-go goodness.
How to cut a watermelon
1. With a large sharp knife, cut your watermelon in half.
2. Cut off the butts of each end of your watermelon
3. Then, place the melon cut-side down – cut off all skin and white rinds.
4. Cut your watermelon into your desired shape, sticks, cubes, triangles, whatever your preference!
If you’re short on time, our freshly cut watermelon is a perfect addition to your salad game, freeze as a healthy snack or take on a picnic outing.
How to cut rockmelon
When it comes to slicing your rockmelon, you’ll want to do the same as steps 1-3 for cutting a watermelon, however, once the skin and rind is off you’ll want to remove the seeds. To do this, you’ll need to use a tablespoon and scoop out all the seeds. Then, slice your rockmelon into your desired chunks.
Both watermelon and rockmelon when cut up should last between 3-5 days in the fridge.
Is watermelon a berry?
Believe it or not, watermelons are in fact berries! Due to their tough rind, flat seeds and pulpy flesh, watermelons are classed as a berry. As well as a berry, watermelons are part of the melon family, which classes fruit that are sweet and fleshy – interestingly, pumpkins also fit into this class of fruits (even though we commonly think of them as a vegetable!)
How to cut watermelon and rockmelon
Freshly cut is an easy way to enjoy melons. They’re a sure crowd-pleaser for hosting and daily on-the-go goodness. Our freshly cut watermelon is a perfect addition to your salad game, freeze as a healthy snack or take on a picnic outing.
Cut and wrap.
Once you’ve cut your melons open, store them in the fridge.
How are watermelons grown?
Watermelons grow on sprawling vines. They either grow along the ground, or if grown to be a smaller variety of melon, can be trained to grow up trellis. Watermelons can grow all-year round in Australia, however, they prefer warmer conditions so summer is ideal for watermelon growing.
What percentage of watermelon is water?
Watermelon is a whopping 92% water! This makes watermelon a great summer-time snack as it is highly hydrating, and at less than 50 calories per cup, it’s a much healthier choice than packaged sweet snacks.
What are some unique melon recipes that I should try?
Although fresh melons are crowd-pleasing enough on their own, watermelon and rockmelon can both offer a lot to sweet and savoury dishes. Whether you’re looking for a fresh twist on a salad or want to make a healthy alternative to summer time icy poles, these melon recipes are sure to inspire.
