Mexican sour gherkin: Big profits can come in tiny packages

Demand for specialty cucumbers has grown over the past few years. Mini- or baby cucumbers have recently become all the rage. Small Persian cucumbers are sold in packs as dipping veggies or small pickles. Lemon cucumbers and sweet Armenian cucumbers have seen a boost in popularity. As chefs and home cooks seek out even more interesting cucumbers, other unusual heirlooms like ‘Crystal Apple’ and ‘Boothby’s Blonde’ are also garnering attention. Chefs and consumers alike are hungry for new and interesting flavors.
 

Small is big

The trend toward small and unusual cucumbers has continued with the resurfacing of the Mexican sour gherkin. If you haven’t already been introduced to this tiny, tart beauty, now’s a great time to make its acquaintance. The Mexican sour gherkin is a grape-sized fruit that’s been steadily gaining popularity with foodies over the last several years and commanding a hefty price at market. Take a spin around the Internet and you’ll find the little fruit popping up all over foodie blogs and unusual recipes. Home gardeners are also starting to catch on to this easy-to-grow crop. Even the National Garden Bureau is promoting “cucamelons” as a new inspiring variety for 2015.
 

Old is new

Yet, many people still haven’t discovered this unique food. While Mexican sour gherkins have a long medicinal and culinary history in their native Mexico and Central America, they’re now being considered a “rediscovered” open-pollinated heirloom in North America. They’re the perfect niche crop for specialty markets, farmers markets and sales to restaurants.
 

The name game

While Mexican sour gherkins are known by many different common names, such as mouse melon, cucamelon, pepquiños and sandita, they’re often categorized as a “specialty cucumber.” While true cucumbers and melons belong to the genus Cucumis, Mexican sour gherkins belong to a different genus altogether, Melothria scabra. So while technically not a cucumber or a melon, most consumers will identify it as one or the other.
 

How do they taste?

The fruits resemble miniature watermelons and pack a fresh cucumber or citrus flavor and crisp crunch. Some describe the flavor as cucumber mixed with lemon or lime, followed by a tart bite. Admittedly, some don’t find the fruits appetizing, it seems to be a love it or hate it relationship. I find them to be on the sour side with a tinge of both cucumber and green melon flavor. Note that the skin is not thin, but the fruit is too small to be peeled.
 

Multipurpose fruit

Their small size makes Mexican sour gherkins versatile. They can be eaten raw, one-by-one like grapes (if you enjoy the fresh flavor) sliced up in salads, pickled whole or in chutney, used as drink garnishes and even sautéed as a veggie side-dish. Most find them best enjoyed as a pickle. I’ve grown them and eaten them several different ways, and I’d have to agree that a pickle or chutney is the way to go. Slice up a few for your gin and tonic and you’ll be a happy camper.
 

Get growing

The vining plants are fast-growing and produce heavy yields in a sunny location. Plant them in similar conditions as you would cucumbers, but know that cucamelons are much easier to grow than cucumbers. The vines may seem delicate, with dainty stems, small leaves and tiny yellow blooms, but be prepared to provide a substantial growing structure. The vines grow quickly to 10 feet tall and will ramble and intertwine together into an impenetrable tangle. Plants are fairly drought tolerant and won’t require as much water as traditional cucumbers.

Plants are also more tolerant of cool temperatures than traditional cucumbers, so you can get crops going a bit earlier outdoors. However, fruit production can be delayed when temperatures get very hot. Seed outdoors after threat of frost and soil has warmed, or start transplants indoors. Plants perform better as transplants than do true cucumber and melon crops. As the vines grow you’ll begin to notice very tiny yellow flowers. In about 65 days, plants become loaded up with the small 1- to 2-inch fruit. You’ll be able to harvest continuously until first frost. The larger you allow the fruit to grow before picking, the more intense the citrus part of the flavor.
 

Pest pressure

Overall, Mexican sour gherkins are fairly disease and pest tolerant. The only pest I’ve encountered when growing these fruits is the leaf-footed bug, however their presence didn’t seem to do much to stymie production or fruit quality.

Because these plants are open-pollinated, and they belong to a different genus, you won’t have to worry about these gherkins cross pollinating with your true cucumbers or melons planted nearby. They can easily be grown vertically amongst your other crops to save space.

If you’re looking for a fun and unusual fruit to add to your produce selection, or are looking to expand sales to restaurants, consider adding the unique cucamelon to your mix.