Does it need checking? Usually not. Melon is presumed clean, in both the USA and Israel. Round melon is among the clean fruits that do not need checking. If one area is especially soft, check that spot. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
Rav Vaya’s rating
| USA | ✓ | not commonly infested (muchzak k’naki) |
| Israel | ✓ | not commonly infested (muchzak k’naki) |
Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 938 (Melon)
Which bugs
- White worms inside the flesh, in an area that is especially soft (mainly around the stem dimple).
- Dried melon: a small fly or other insect may stick to the outside. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
How to check
- Fresh melon: if you notice an especially soft area, mainly in the dimple where the stem was, check that area for white worms inside the flesh.
- Dried melon: look at both sides for a small fly or insect stuck to it. It is good to wash it. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
Sources
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 938 (rating).
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “How to Find Worms in Summer Fruits” (published by Machon Aliya).
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (published by Machon Aliya).
- cRc: melons: a general inspection is needed to rule out obvious infestation. (Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide)
Related
References: cRc — Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide · Rav Moshe Vaya — “How to Find Worms in Summer Fruits” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew) · Rav Moshe Vaya — “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew)
Source: Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, p. 938
