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Pepino (Solanum muricatum)

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description Pepino (Solanum muricatum) Overview

Pepino, Solanum muricatum, is a cultivated plant in the nightshade family that originated in the Andean region of South America. It produces smooth-skinned berries that are commonly pale yellow with purple streaks and contain soft, mildly sweet flesh often compared with melon or cucumber. The fruit is eaten fresh and is cultivated in countries including Peru, Chile, New Zealand, and Spain, especially in climates without severe frost.

help Pepino (Solanum muricatum) FAQ

What does a pepino melon taste like?

The flesh is soft, mildly sweet, and commonly compared to melon, with some people noting hints of cucumber or pear. Its smooth-skinned berry is typically pale yellow with purple streaks when ripe.

Is the pepino related to the tomato?

Yes. Pepino (Solanum muricatum) belongs to the nightshade family, Solanaceae, the same family as tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. Despite being called a melon in some markets, it is botanically a berry rather than a true melon.

Where did the pepino come from and where is it grown?

It originated in the Andean region of South America and is still cultivated in countries such as Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia. It has also been grown outside the Andes, including in places like New Zealand, where it is sold as pepino dulce.

How do you eat a pepino fruit?

It is usually eaten fresh as a dessert fruit, and its thin skin is generally edible, though many people prefer to peel it. Ripe fruits are chosen when the yellow background color is well developed and the flesh gives slightly to pressure.

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