Cucamelons are not what they appear to be. Although they resemble miniature watermelons, these grape-sized fruits have a satisfying crunch and a cucumber-like flavour with a refreshing citrus tang.
Native to Mexico and Central America, cucamelons (Melothria scabra) belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and were cultivated in Central America long before the arrival of Europeans.
Cucamelons are gaining popularity internationally among growers and consumers seeking novel and visually appealing produce. However, they remain relatively unknown in South Africa and are rarely found on store shelves.
For KleinKraak Boerdery, the crop presents an opportunity to diversify income and explore the market for speciality produce.
From curiosity to cultivation
Rina Meijer’s interest in cucamelons began when she came across a photograph of the fruit on Pinterest.
“This triggered my interest and I did some research. I decided to buy seed and did a small trial and, after a year, decided to plant a bigger area with cucamelons.”
Based in Elandsfontein between Bapsfontein and Kempton Park in Gauteng, KleinKraak produces cucamelons on 1ha and offers both fresh fruit and a range of pickled products.
Meijer sells the pickled products at the Pretoria Farmers’ Market and through the farm’s website, while fresh cucamelons are delivered to Tshwane Market for distribution to greengrocers and retail shops.
Fresh cucamelons can be enjoyed in salads, drinks or as a snack, while the pickled version is often used in Mexican dishes and appetisers.
“The biggest difference between the two lies in the taste and texture. Fresh cucamelons have a firm crunch and are reminiscent of cucumber, while the pickled fruits develop a stronger, sour taste.”
Getting the growing conditions right
According to Meijer, successful cucamelon production requires an understanding of the crop’s growth habits, environmental requirements, and management practices.
“Although cucamelons are relatively easy to grow, high yields and quality fruit depend on suitable site selection, trellising, irrigation, pest management, and harvesting practices,” Meijer points out.
Cultivation
As expected of a plant originating from Central America, cucamelons like warmth and do best at temperatures above 20°C. Meijer, however, says that the plants thrive in temperatures around 30°C. “Cucamelons do not like cold temperatures or frost. These are plants adapted to warm temperatures.”
Meijer plants the seed directly in the soil under irrigation. She is lucky in the sense that she gets cattle manure from her neighbour. She works this into the soil for nutrients.
Cucamelons take a while to germinate and grow slowly during the first weeks. According to Meijer, she plants at the beginning of September and after a month the small plants are about 1cm in height.
“It takes about three to four months before I can harvest. If I plant at the beginning of September, I can only start harvesting in December.”
The plant is not frost-resistant. “At the beginning of May, when we receive the first frost of the season, the plants die. Although they are perennials and can grow back in the following season, I remove the dead plants as well as the roots. I will then plant new seed in September again.”
In the past, she made her own seedlings but found that it works better to sow seed directly in the soil using organic compost. She mentions that once the plant starts to climb on the trellises, it gains momentum.
These vines benefit from a sturdy trellis and will climb readily, making them perfect for vertical gardens. Fruits are ready to harvest in about 65 to 75 days and should be hand-picked when firm and about the size of a grape or olive to maintain quality and encourage continuous production.
During the growing season, she irrigates on a daily basis, applying approximately 500ml of water.
Quality from field to market
KleinKraak has developed a true love for this unique fruit and sees it as their mission to share the cucamelon with more South Africans. From the beginning, it was important to them to do things the right way. That is why they focus on combining quality and sustainability. The end result is delicious handmade products.
From planting to harvest, each fruit is handled with great care to ensure that it delivers the quality for which KleinKraak has become known. It is precisely this attention that helps to turn an unusual fruit into an exceptional product.
For more information, contact Rina Meijer [email protected], [email protected].
