Fast delivery
Get in as fast as 1 hour
It’s all local
Shop your favorites
Direct chat
Connect with shoppers
Lemondrop Melons for Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Lemondrop melons
About Lemondrop melons
The Lemondrop (alternately lemon drop) melon is a specialty hybrid of the Galia melon. It's a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Like its parent melon, the Lemondrop variety has an oblong shape and pale yellow rind with a netted texture. There are slight longitudinal grooves on the outside of the melon that are pale green in color. Crack open the melon, and you'll find pale green flesh. In the center is a small cluster of seeds that you can easily scoop out, leaving plenty of soft fruit to enjoy.
The Lemondrop melon was developed specifically to mimic the flavor of the popular Lemondrop candy. This melon was developed by successively breeding wild melons high in citric acid with Galia melons with a sweeter flavor. Martori Farms of Arizona first released the Lemondrop melon in 2013 with the brand name "Kandy." These melons need hot, dry weather and controlled irrigation to develop their distinctive flavor properly.
Though it doesn't have the same mouth-puckering tartness as a lemon, the Lemondrop melon does have a higher acidity level than other melons. The flesh has hints of watermelon and honeydew flavors with a bit of tang at the end that is, indeed, similar to a lemon.Â
How to pick out Lemondrop melons
Lemondrop melons are at their peak in summer. Since this is a specialty fruit, the summer months will likely be the only time that you can find this melon in the supermarket. When selecting a Lemondrop melon, you should always look for a fruit that's firm and undamaged. Avoid anything with cracks, soft spots, or bruises. The melon should be primarily yellow. The only green on the rind will appear in the grooves.Â
Lemondrop melons have a dull appearance when they're ripe. If they're shiny, they are still underripe. The heavier the melon is, the more juice it has. Weigh several similarly sized melons in your hand and select the one that's the heaviest. When you tap the melon, it should have a hollow sound.
Most melons have a sweet or floral fragrance when they're ripe, but the Lemondrop melon doesn't have a noticeable scent. It's worth noting that this lack of fragrance doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the melon in hand.
You can leave notes in your order to help your Instacart shopper pick the perfect Lemondrop melon for your needs! You might recommend the best size for your intended use, or mention that you want the heaviest, juiciest melon available.
How to use Lemondrop melons
The tart finish of the Lemondrop melon makes it a good choice in fruit salads, smoothies, or other beverages. The flavor of the melon typically shines the best when it's balanced with other ingredients. In a fruit salad, Lemondrop melon is perfectly paired with blueberries. The two work together deliciously to create a bright summer side dish.
You can also soften the tang of Lemondrop melons by using them with watermelon and cantaloupe or honeydew melons. Sprinkle mint leaves on top for an elegant finishing touch.
Lemondrop melons pair well with savory and spicy foods as well. Serve Lemondrop melon in a salad of mixed greens with tomatoes, hazelnuts, and feta cheese. You could even make a distinctive summer salsa with cilantro, tomatoes, Lemondrop melons, and avocado. This fruit shines in the summer and offers a wide range of possible uses.
Lemondrop Melons Near Me
Buy your favorite Lemondrop Melons online with Instacart. Order Lemondrop Melons from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about Lemondrop melons
Lemondrop melons have many beneficial vitamins and nutrients that make them a great choice for your daily servings of fruit. The Lemondrop melon is rich in vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system, speed wound healing, and improve the absorption of iron. Lemondrop melons also contain vitamin B6, which can promote brain health and may improve your mood and reduce the symptoms of depression. The potassium in this melon helps regulate muscle contractions and regulate fluid balance, while the fiber will improve your digestion.
You can keep Lemondrop melons at room temperature for about a week, or until fully ripe. If you don't want to eat your lemon drop melon immediately, consider leaving a note for your Instacart shopper to choose one that's not yet ripe. Once you've opened the melon, you should store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat it within four days. Melons taste best when they're eaten the same day they're cut open.
You can order Lemondrop melons and other produce easily through Instacart! Browse the current listings at local stores to see what's currently in stock. Since these are a highly seasonal choice, you should order as soon as you can when you see that these specialty melons are available. It's quick and easy to fill your cart via the Instacart app or webpage. Delivery is available in as little as 2 hours!