The Internet Buzzes Over a New Hybrid Fruit: The Cucamelon

Introducing the fruit that is taking the internet by storm: a hybrid between a cucumber and a watermelon, the size of a grape and tasting like a cucumber. This new fruit is sold in seed form and mainly grown in Mexico and Central America, which might explain why we haven't heard of it until now.

It looks delicious and many of us would love to try it. However, the question arises - what does Jewish law say about this?

According to Daniel Bles, editor of the Torah and Science section at Hidabroot, the perspective on the prohibition of creating hybrid species is debated among halachic authorities. Some permit it, while others forbid it, as mentioned in Yalkut Yosef: "Regarding the recent invention that involves transferring genetic material from one plant to another, or from one type of tree to another, some say this should not be done due to the prohibition of hybrid species, while others say there's no concern for this prohibition, and it is permitted." [Yalkut Yosef, Hilchot Shatnez, Siman 295:60]