Watermelon Etiquette

Perhaps Emily would have pointed out that there are melon forks (fork/knife combinations) and melon spoons (spoon/fork combinations) which were designed specifically for dealing with the seeds of these seasonal delicacies. – Pictured above are antique melon spoons by The Holmes & Edwards Silver Co.

 

A PROBLEM THAT SUMMER BRINGS US

Now that the watermelon season is here again, one is reminded that we never learned Mrs. Emily Post’s rules of watermelon etiquette. Should we use a spoon, fork, or knife and fork? Some prefer to eat over the kitchen sink, a handy receptacle for all seeds; probably not correct etiquette? And then again, what is the right procedure for gathering up the elusive seeds which manage to slip out and around on the linoleum? After all, the handiest way is to take it on a picnic.—From Ceres Courier, 1933

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette for Kiwano Melons

Left, a Kiwano Melon. 

Below– A Holmes and Edward’s Melon Spoon and an advertisement for the utensil.

  

Antique melon spoons are ideal for eating small melons, like kiwano or pepino melons, while long, antique melon forks are ideal for eating slices of cantaloupe and watermelon. 

If you don’t have antique melon spoons for smaller melons, here is how to eat ripe kiwano melons when they’re ready to be sliced open and enjoyed:

A fully ripened kiwano has an orange rind with prominent spikes. Pick one that is firm with just a bit of give, but without any visible bruises or damaged spikes.

To eat plain, cut the fruit in half. Gently squeeze one half until the seeds pop out. The seeds aren’t harmful to eat (and actually contain the antioxidant vitamin E), but many people prefer to hold the seeds between their teeth while they enjoy the green flesh

If that doesn’t sound appealing, you can also simply scoop out the inner fruit and toss it in fruit salads or use as a colorful garnish.

Feeling truly brave? Slice off the spikes on the rind and enjoy whole! — Parade, June 2022

🍽️ Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia