Kiwano: The Spiky African Horned Melon
Kiwano is a spiky orange melon from sub-Saharan Africa with electric green jelly inside. The story of one of the world's strangest fruits.
The kiwano or horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus) is one of the most striking fruits in nature โ bright orange spike-covered rind, electric green jelly-like flesh inside, dotted with small white seeds. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, the fruit has been eaten by the San and Bantu peoples for thousands of years.
Origin and history
Native to the Kalahari and southern African dryland regions. Cultivation expanded commercially in New Zealand in the 1980s; the name "kiwano" is a New Zealand marketing creation linking it loosely to the kiwifruit success.
Where kiwano grows today
New Zealand is the major commercial producer; smaller commercial production in California, Australia, Chile, and Israel.
How to grow
Subtropical to warm temperate, but tolerates more cold than most melons. Direct-sow after last frost. First fruit in 100-120 days.
Bottom line
Striking and exotic-looking. The flavor is mild banana-cucumber-lime. Worth growing once for the visual alone.