This melon may look like an ordinary cantaloupe, but it is anything but. Learn all about the Sugar Kiss Melon.
Did you know there are a lot of melons? I mean a lot.
Have you ever opened up a seed catalog to see how many different types you can grow yourself? It's mind blowing.
In the grocery store we unfortunately only get three main offerings - watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe. Yes, those are all pretty different and represent different tastes, but it's a far cry from what there is out there.
Melons fan can rejoice as there have been more variety showing up in stores in recent years. Most grocery stores now will at least offer 1 or 2 types that deviate from the standard 3.
We are here today to talk about one of those "deviations" - the Sugar Kiss melon.
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👄 What is a Sugar Kiss?
Sometimes you see the words "muskmelon" and "cantaloupe" interchanged with each other. Really cantaloupe is a type of a muskmelon. But cantaloupe isn't a specific variety just in itself. There are different types of cantaloupe.
Sugar Kiss is actually considered a Hami melon type. Since most people are familiar with the grocery store cantaloupe that is where our comparison will begin.
⚖️ How Different Than a Cantaloupe?
The differences come down to the texture of the melon and how it tastes. The tastes is similar to cantaloupe, but it's a stronger and sweeter flavor.
Sugar Kiss is very juicy and that juiciness doesn't dilute the flavor of the melon. The kids either had to eat it over the sink or be given baby wipes when done eating.
Tender edible flesh all the way to the skin. It's doesn't get tough around the rind like a lot of melons do. I would also describe the texture as melting, like it just melts in your mouth as as you eat it.
Overall a vastly better eating experience.
RELATED - What's the Difference Between a Cantaloupe and a Honeyrock Melon?
☀️ When in Season?
Look for them between: June 10 – October 31st
Dulcinea Farms markets the Sugar Kiss melons. They have partnerships in different parts of the country and the world allowing them to extend their harvest windows.
The first melons can begin showing up in stores in June and you may still find them through Halloween. July-August seems to be the time in which they are most abundant.
🛒 Where to Buy
Here are just a few locations that I know have carried this melons in the past. Did you find them somewhere else? Leave a comment below.
- Walmart
- Hannaford Market
- Sam's Club
- The Fresh Market
- Fresh Direct
- Specialty Produce
❓ How to Know When Ripe
The label on the melon says they are ready to eat right away, so you don't need to ripen them any further. You can put them in the fridge to extend their shelf life. I would still eat them as soon as you can.
I got one at the store that we ended up leaving out for several days and it was still great. You never know for sure how long the melons have bene sitting on a grocery store display, so it's still important to examine the melon for any black or soft spots. And deep indentations usually are a sign of age and a melon that should be avoided.
⚫ Black Spot Inside
What if you cut into your melon and you find a black spot inside? Like seen in the photo below.
Remove all the fruit around the black spot. If the rest of the melon looks good, you are good to go. If it looks bad in the center of the fruit, then don't eat it. But typically a spot around on the outside isn't a reason to throw it all way.
However I always say whenever in doubt, toss it out. Don't eat something you aren't comfortable with.
🍈 Other Types of Kiss Melons
- Sumer Kiss Melons
- Kiss Limon Melons
🍓 Other Types of Fruit to Check Out
- Cotton Candy grapes
- Lucy Rose apples
- Bubble Gum plums
- Ojai Pixie tangerines
- Rose strawberries
- Pink Lemonade blueberries
- Skylar Rae cherries
- Peach Pie donut peaches
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Robert Douglas
I love a good melon who doesn't! My experience with the "SUGAR KISSMELON" was not what is advertise. I spent a little extra and was left holding the bag.
Eric Samuelson
Sorry to hear your experience was disappointing. I have not had enough of them yet to judge how consistent they are.
Frank Reuter
I have had a full season of these melons and the flavor is incredible! They are by far the best type of any cantelope/ honeydew style melon I've ever eaten. I saved seeds from last summer and planted them just recently. Also looked for seeds to purchase on line, but can't find a single source that actually carries seed. Nevertheless, anything who didn't think they were as great as most of us are saying, possibly it could be the distribution factors, such as how long they were held before sent to your markets, etc. But try them again this season because hopefully you will find them delicious and a flavor better than any melon I've eaten, not including watermelons.
Lou Ciesco
We’ve eaten sugar kiss melons for three years and can’t get enough of them , hard to believe someone not enjoying there flavor!!
Megan Lang
Publix carries these as well! They are delicious!
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing that.
Debbie
I got a sugar kiss melon at ShopRite
Steve
How can you tell the difference between Sugar Kiss and Honey Kiss? I bought 5 Sugar Kiss branded melons ( for $25!) and I think I got Honey Kiss because they were not as soft and sweet as I remember from last year. And they just had a Sugar Kiss label stuck on, not the usual netting. I am not a little upset!
Eric Samuelson
So I haven't had the Honey Kiss melon myself. From what I have researched Honey Kiss is harvested much later in the season, so I would think you didn't get those. It sadly could just be that these melons weren't picked at their optimal.
Karen Harrison
I found Sugar Kiss Cantalope 2 years ago, missed them last year( I hate crunchy unripe Cantalope)!
When I discovered the Sugar Kiss Cantalope, I thought I was in Heaven! The texture is wonderful, and the taste is Amazing.
The only place I have found them, is at Fry's. Asked about them at Walmart, they looked at me, as if I were nuts! Safeway doesnt seem to have them either
I bought 3 more of them yestereday, and two two days before. None of them were in the netting, as they were when I first bought them two years ago? Why?
The 3 I bought yestetday, ended up being a bit over ripe, but still juicy & delicioys. Am freezing them is small bite size chunks, so they don't go bad, as I love them for breakfast!!
Thank ypu for developing a wonderful, soft, creamy & delicious cantalope!
Eric Samuelson
Hey Karen. Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing your love for Sugar Kiss. I don't always see them in the netting. Not surprised Walmart employees didn't know about them, they don't train their employees about the produce enough.
Karen
We bought a kiss melon at Giant Eagle in western PA … quite sweet and juicy.
Eric Samuelson
Glad you found them and liked them. Thanks for sharing.
William Fraziet
I had Sugar Kiss for the first time last summer.
I discovered they were sold at Publix. Learning
They were always in short supply I saved several
Containers of seeds and planted several containers.
Within a couple of weeks I had pots of beautiful lush footage
and within days yellow blossoms. I knew as as
A hybrid nothing was guaranteed. I had also
Given seedlings to a friend. Long story short my beautiful
Vines never produced fruit. My friend did have
success her vines produced several small
Cantaloupe which she shared with me. The fruit that
was produced was a light mint green color
with the taste of a honey dew. Not bad but
not my expected Sugar Kiss. I still have two empty
Pill containers of the seeds stored in the frig.
May give it another next year.
Thank you for producing the World's BEST
CANTALOUPE-!!!
Eric Samuelson
Not surprising they didn't turn out like you though. Too much of a chance of cross pollination when the original melon was formed. Still fun to try.
Faith
Trader Joe’s! I wait for these each year!
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing.