The hami melon ... fruit soup also needs at least a couple of hours to chill. The makrut lime (also called kaffir lime) has leaves that come in pairs; you need two pairs for this recipe.

It's also a great vessel for carrying other flavors. Thus, there is no one recipe for winter melon soup, although the base is usually a clear broth, flavored with chicken or vegetable powder or stock.

Blend it into a chilled soup with a splash of white verjuice and a peppery oil, and the result is an elegant starter that sings of hot days and cool breezes. Honeydew has long played the quiet ...