Pepino

We have harvested our first pepinos. There were only two of them this year, but we hope to have a better harvest next season when the plant is more mature. I started our pepino plant from seed in the spring, and have been watching the fruit ripen with great anticipation.


Pepino

We think the pepino fruit look a bit like pretty yellow and purple Easter eggs, so this is surely the right season to be eating them! They are a member of the solanaceae family (a relative of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants), with delicious flesh that tastes like something between a cucumber and a sweet melon. This refreshing taste has earned them the name “cucumber melon” or “tree melon.”

Kevin and I never saw any pepinos when we were living in the US, although I’m sure they must be growing in some warmer parts of the country. This little harvest was Kevin’s first chance to taste one. It turns out that he enjoys them as much as I do, so we are planning to start more pepino seeds in the spring. Pepino plants are easy to start from seed, but are quite frost tender. I’ve planted ours in the shelter of the house, to give it the best possible chance of surviving the winter. Actually, we are working on transforming the sheltered bed next to the house into a space for frost-tender perennials: pepinos, a tamarillo, perennial chilis, and perhaps some other treats as well.

7 Responses to “Pepino”

  1. skateari says:

    You think Pepino would do good in the climate here in Costa Rica? I also have some chermimoya trees going, its only 6 six months, so I can expect a while longer to bear fruits. Keep it up

  2. Rebecca says:

    Hi Skateari,
    I think pepino probably would do well in Costa Rica. Good luck with your cherimoyas, too. Our cherimoyas are really small at the moment (started from seed only a few months ago), but we have big hopes for them after admiring the fruit-laden trees over at our neighbours’ place.
    Thanks for your comment.
    Rebecca

  3. Annie says:

    Have planted my seeds 8 days ago,and anxiously await their appearance. Have I planted them too early.

    MANU

  4. Sjoerd says:

    Hello,

    I have five plants this year (the first time I am trying them)
    and at present the fruits are quite large and hard…and completely whitish-yellow (no maroon streaks yet). One thing that I can’t seem to find anywhere is how to know when to pick them. Can you tell me how I will know when they are ripe enough to pick?

    Thank you,
    Sjoerd
    The Netherlands

  5. Rebecca says:

    Good luck with your pepinos, Annie. I hope they get off to a good start.
    Sjoerd, I’m trying to remember how I knew when to pick ours last year! They seemed to be sitting on the plant for ages. I think I finally picked them when the colour of the skin turned a warmer gold, rather than looking whitish. I can’t remember at what stage the purple streaks developed. Anyway, I hope you enjoy eating the fruit when it’s finally ripe.
    Thanks for the comments,
    Rebecca

  6. Giulio says:

    Hi

    Do you have pepinos this time of the year?

  7. Jenny says:

    Hi there,

    Don’t suppose you know where I could buy the fruit itself? I’ve got a plant but its not fruiting just yet 🙁

    cheers,