Dubbed as the ‘true cantaloupe,’ European cantaloupes or Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis are characterized by their gray-green and tough rinds. The rinds are slightly netted or more often, not netted at all. Their exteriors are smooth light colors with green stripes, and no spider-web like crisscross patterns.
What is a true melon?
A melon is any of various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae with sweet, edible, and fleshy fruit. The word “melon” can refer to either the plant or specifically to the fruit. Botanically, a melon is a kind of berry, specifically a “pepo”.
Are cantaloupes actually cantaloupes?
A “real” cantaloupe, or at least the original bearer of the name, is a European cantaloupe. What Americans think of as cantaloupe is a different fruit. The things Americans and Europeans think of as cantaloupes belong to a category of melon called musk melon.
What are the different types of cantaloupe?
MuskmelonLower classifications
What’s the best tasting cantaloupe?
11 of the Best Cantaloupe Cultivars
- Charentais.
- El Gordo Hybrid.
- Hearts of Gold.
- Olympic Express Hybrid.
- Planters Jumbo.
- Sarah’s Choice Hybrid.
- Top Mark.
- Zena.
What are the sweetest cantaloupes?
7 Sweetest Cantaloupe Varieties to Grow (& How to Get Seeds)
| Cantaloupe Variety | Brix (sugar %) | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Cube | 11-14% | 80 days |
| Honey Rock | 13.1% | 80 to 85 days |
| El Gordo | 10-16% | 75 to 85 days |
| Hannah’s Choice | 12-14% | 75 to 85 days |
How can you tell if a cantaloupe is sweet?
You should pick the cantaloupe up and gently twist its stem. If it detaches easily, then that’s the plant telling you that you’ve got yourself a sweet, juicy cantaloupe! If the stem resists, then it’s probably not ready yet, and you should try again a couple of days later.
Where do the best cantaloupes come from?
Other states that produce cantaloupe commercially in limited volume include Texas, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. In our opinion, of course, the best place to grow cantaloupe is sunny California.
What’s the difference between a cantaloupe and a Tuscan cantaloupe?
Tuscan Style® cantaloupes have a rich, subtly earthy, and exceptionally sweet flavor, containing 14 to 16 Brix sugar levels. This Brix content is higher than traditional cantaloupes, which commonly have around 9 to 10 Brix.
What is the healthiest fruit?
Top 10 healthiest fruits
- 1 Apple. A low-calorie snack, high in both soluble and insoluble fiber.
- 2 Avocado. The most nutritious fruit in the world.
- 3 Banana.
- 4 Citrus fruits.
- 5 Coconut.
- 6 Grapes.
- 7 Papaya.
- 8 Pineapple.
Which is the sweetest melon?
Due to their similar taste and texture, they can be used interchangeably in most recipes. However, honeydew is slightly sweeter with a firm, green flesh, while cantaloupe has softer, orange flesh.
What is the sweetest melon to buy?
Honey Globe Melon
Many describe this type of melon as one of high quality and extremely sweet. And it’s the delicious taste of the Honey Globe that sets this apart from other melons. The light green flesh is thick and succulent and, because over 15% of its weight is sugar, it’s one of the sweetest melons.
What is the difference between melon and cantaloupe?
There is a taste difference in the two. Honeydew melon is slightly sweeter with a firm, green flesh, while cantaloupe has softer, orange flesh.
How do you sweeten a cantaloupe?
How Do You Sweeten a Cantaloupe? If your cantaloupe is not harvested in the right season, chances are it won’t be sweet. So you can sprinkle sugar or sugar substitute onto the cantaloupe and toss it gently until it has been evenly distributed.
Do cantaloupes continue to ripen after they’re picked?
Some, like watermelon, do not continue to ripen once harvested. Therefore, flavor will not improve nor will they become sweeter—t is what it is at harvest. However, cantaloupe and similar fruit will continue to ripen after harvest.
What are green cantaloupes called?
Galia. A cross between a honeydew and a cantaloupe, a Galia melon’s rind is netted like a cantaloupe, but the smooth lime-green flesh is like a honeydew. Unlike many other melons, the tenderness of the stem end is not a good indicator of ripeness. Instead, use your nose to smell for its distinct tropical aroma.
Is a sugar kiss melon a cantaloupe?
Description. Sugar Kiss melons pack a mouthful of flavor, as it is one of the sweetest cantaloupe variations in North America. Eat the melon fresh, in a mixed fruit salad or as a juice.
Why are sugar Kiss melons so sweet?
There are more than 100 different Hami melon varieties on display and available for tasting at no cost. The sugar kiss melon got its name because it is so sweet and also because of the way sugar melts on your tongue, which you get a similar feeling when you eat this melon.
What is Super 45 cantaloupe?
‘Super 45’ produces a large number of Cantaloupes with extra sweet-tasting flesh. This selection is resistant to powdery mildew, which is a fungus that causes the leaves to die.
Why are my cantaloupe not sweet?
The melons then ripen quite quickly on the vine. So if farmers pick their cantaloupes too soon, they won’t have that sweet, summery flavor you expect. But if the melons are being picked when they are ripe and ready, then the issue might be the soil or watering conditions.
How do you ripen a cantaloupe quickly?
Set the cantaloupe in a paper bag once you want to speed up the ripening process. Keep it at room temperature during this process. Place ethylene-producing fruits such as an apple or banana in the paper bag with the cantaloupe to further speed up the ripening.
Marilyn Medina is a food expert with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. She has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, including The Ritz-Carlton and The French Laundry.
What makes Marilyn stand out from other chefs is her unique approach to cooking. She believes that food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget or dietary restrictions. Her recipes are simple, delicious, and healthy – perfect for anyone who wants to cook like a pro!