Should you eat melon seeds? Korea's food safety agency debunks a common myth
Korean melons are displayed at a market in Seodaemun District, Seoul, May 17. Yonhap
Rich in folate and vitamin C, 'Korean melon' becoming more popular overseas
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"Chamoe," or Korean melon, is enjoying growing popularity. In Japan, it is winning over consumers with its sweet flavor and convenient size.
According to Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), Korean melon has been designated one of this year's strategic fruit exports to the Japanese market. Japan is the largest importer of Korean chamoe, with both export value and volume increasing significantly each year.
Last year, exports to Japan reached approximately $1.055 million (about 1.6 billion won), with 271 tons shipped — up 31.4 percent in value and 39 percent in volume compared with the previous year.
Compared with the larger and more expensive melons commonly sold in Japan, Korean melons are more affordable and perfectly sized for a single serving. As the number of one-person households continues to grow in Japan, this convenience has become one of the fruit's biggest selling points. The popularity of Korean culture, along with YouTube and Instagram posts recommending Korean melons as a "must-try food in Korea," has also fueled demand.
First lady Kim Hea Kyung holds Korean melons with actor Jung Il-woo during the K-Culture & Tourism Expo held at Lotte Mall in Hanoi, June 23, during President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Vietnam. Yonhap
As Korean melon becomes more popular both overseas and at home during the summer season, many consumers still wonder whether eating the seeds can really cause diarrhea or stomachaches.
According to Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, this is a myth.
Korean melon seeds are actually rich in folate, vitamin C and dietary fiber, making them nutritious enough to eat rather than discard.
However, Korean melon itself contains a large amount of water and is traditionally regarded in Korean herbal medicine as a "cooling" food that helps reduce body heat and quench thirst. People with sensitive digestive systems or those who are prone to discomfort from cold foods may occasionally experience stomach upset after eating chamoe. The seeds themselves are not the direct cause of diarrhea or indigestion.
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There is one important exception: if the melon is overripe or beginning to spoil, it is advisable to remove the seeds before eating. The soft, white, watery tissue surrounding the seeds contains more moisture than the flesh and tends to spoil first. If it has a sour taste or an unusual odor, remove that portion — or discard the entire fruit if necessary.
When buying Korean melons, choose fruit with bright yellow skin and a fresh-looking stem. Store it in the refrigerator at 5–7 degrees Celsius. A firm, freshly purchased melon can last five to seven days under refrigeration, while cut melons should be kept in an airtight container and eaten within two to three days.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.