The Ivory Gaya melon has a striking appearance which stands out against other melon types. It is round to oblong in shape and of small to medium size. It has a creamy white or alabaster background colouration to the peel with dashed striations or flecks in jade and yellow hues, reminiscent of a 1960’s wallpaper: you can’t miss it.
Internally, the melon has succulent, juicy white flesh which is very easy to scoop out with a spoon. The eating experience is dominated by the high level of sweetness, while the flavour is more like white chocolate than any fruity fragrance, though honey also comes to mind.
Quality & Ripeness: Melons are climacteric fruit, so will continue to ripen after harvest, but generally should be ripe and ready to eat when placed on sale. Look for an exterior that is clear of lesions or brown spots. Generally, the larger the melon, the more likely it is to be sweet.
Good Fruit Guide Rating: ****
Anyone seeking a reliably sweet melon should try an Ivory Gaya.
Sweet, white-flesh, succulent.
Names: Cucumis melo inodorus ‘ivory gaya’™; Ivory Gaya; Snow Leopard; Sweet Snowball; Matice; Matisse; Sugar Baby; Silver Star.
Varieties: Matisse; Mikie.
Origin: Korea / Japan.
Grown in: Brazil, Spain, Mexico, USA
Harvest & Availability:
- January:
- February:
- March:
- April:
- May: Spain
- June: Spain
- July: Spain
- August: Spain
- September: Brazil
- October: Brazil
- November: Brazil
- December: Brazil
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