A melon is any of various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae with sweet edible, 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".
There are over 37 Melon varieties.
Ananas Melon
Ananas is a type of older melon dating back to the 1800s. The melon is oval in shape and contains soft flesh. This fruit can range in taste depending on the temperature of the climate in which they are harvested. The Anana melon tends to be sweeter in warmer climates, while it can also yield slightly spicy flavors. Lovers who desire an exotic taste pallet will love to indulge in this rich melon. Annas are grown in the Middle East region and are distributed primarily through seed catalogs for local farmers.
Apollo
A delicate fruit with a smooth, creamy texture, this delicious melon contains a large amount of water and is an exotic melon hailing from Malaysia with a bright eccentric color. Those fruit lovers who want to enjoy a tropical tasting melon that’s fresh and juicy are sure to appreciate the Apollo melon.
Autumn Sweet Melon
This tiny round melon contains a vibrant golden yellow color with white flesh. This melon is small with a sugary sweet taste. This melon flavor is bursting with watery sweetness which makes it especially delicious for juicing.
Bailan Melon
A very popular melon where it originates from China, also known as the Lanzhou honeydew melon, because of its birth in Lanzhou, China. This melon is a form of the honeydew melon and is very nutritious. The Bailan melon is said to be a miracle fruit in improving digestion and for cooling the body down. The melon is said to grow within southern France and Algeria.
Banana Melon
On the outside, this melon appears to resemble an enlarged banana, hence the name “Banana” melon. On the inside, the peach-orange color fruit flesh can be compared to that of a cantaloupe but with less flesh. This melon introduced itself in the US in 1883 and has since produced a great number of seed catalogs. The banana melon contains a spicy sort of savory sweetness and has a fragrant banana aroma. This melon is said to have a longer shelf life than other melons, which makes it an ideal go-to melon.The banana melon is an heirloom and grows best within the Northern region of the United States.
Bitter Melon
Used in dishes within India and Asia as a vegetable due to its eccentric flavor kick, bitter melon has bitter wild tropical taste and contains powerful medicinal benefits for aid in diabetes and as a digestion ailment. This melon is native to Southeast Asia and is grown in tropical climates primarily in the Caribbean, East Africa, Asia, and South America.
Canary Melon
The Canary melon “The Spanish melon” originally comes from Europe, but more commonly cultivated in parts of Asia including South Korea and Japan.They are found to grow in tropic climates and especially the region of San Joaquin. In the US California and Arizona are where they are typically grown. While these melons are indeed sweet, the melons are also known for their mildly tangy flavor.
Camouflage Melon
The skin of this melon has an appearance and smell that resembles that of watermelon in likeness yet tastes like honeydew melon. This melon is also known as the “Santa Claus Melon” or the “Christmas melon” due to its harvest season peak being during the month of December. They are grown in Brazil and Central America and within the US Arizona and California.
Cantaloupe (American)
The American Cantaloupe that grows within the US is primarily grown in California, Texas, and Arizona, and Colorado. This Cantaloupe (American) is said to in all actuality be a muskmelon, and not the original cantaloupe. High in antioxidants and Vitamin A, this nutrient-rich infused melon contains a deep orange-pink flesh on the inside which is very thick and generous. This fruit is rich in antioxidants and makes for a versatile meal additive for salads and even ice cream.
Cantaloupe (European)
Noted to be the actual original authentic Cantalope, This cantaloupe actually contains an outer green color skin as opposed to the brown color of what’s known as the “American Cantaloupe.” This cantaloupe is said to be less potent in flavor than what is known to be the “America Cantaloupe”, which is actually a musk melon. The European Cantaloupe is more difficult to grow and therefore not found within the US commercially. To find this authentic Cantaloupe you will have to search for Europe, the Mediterranean, purchase seeds, or find a local farmer who grows them.
Casaba Melons
Is a type of musk mellow closely related to Honeydew, but mildly sweet when compared to other melons. This melon is a type of winter melon and has a bright yellow or pale yellow hue to the outer skin. Casaba melons have an excellent shelf life and are contain nutrients that are good for the immune system, heart, and brain function. Native to Asia Minor, they are grown in South America and the Southwestern part of the U.S. primarily Arizona and California.
Casabanana
This thick elongated fruit is said to be within the melon family but looks similar and taste similar to a cucumber or squash. This South American melon grows under high temperatures and grows on a vine. Purple Casabanana favors eggplant in shape and color and has been cultivated in Latin America and within southern parts of the United States . The melon is said to smell like a melon, yet have a subtle banana flavor.
Charentais Melon
The Charentais Melon is a pleasant smelling melon that originated in France in the 1920s as a refined variation of cantaloupe.Mostly grown now and days in The North African region, there are only a few select locations in the United States that offer Charentais Melon production.
Crane Melon
This unique melon is a melting pot of several different melons, which include the Japanese melon, Persian melon, ambrosia melon, and the white melon, developed by Oliver Crane in California. Due to its complex hybrid make-up, this fruit has a diverse taste and is even farmed in specific soil and farming conditions in order to yield the fruit that makes up this unique crossbred melon. This melon is a rare one that is not found in grocery stores due to its unique method of harvesting and does not have the shelf life in order to be distributed. Fortunately, Crane Melon seeds can be purchased online for those who want to give a go at growing this complex variety.
Crenshaw Melon
This melon is another hybrid melon, consisting of a fusion between the Persian and Casaba. The melon is a musk melon engineered into several varieties which include the honeydew. The Crenshaw melon like other muskmelons originated in Iran and has been since cultivated all over including India and Afghanistan. This melon has a wonderful sweet flavor with a hint of spiciness. While the taste of this melon is fascinating, the fiery red-orange color of this melon is one of a kind with its vibrant appearance that is striking to the eye.
Cucamelon
This distinctive Mexican and Central American melon have the appearance of a tiny watermelon visually, but the taste of the melon is closer to a vegetable like a cucumber with a slight sourness that is similar to a pickle.
Galia Melons
This melon is the product of a wonderful marriage between cantaloupe and honeydew melon. This melon originates from Israel is packed with a great deal of folic acid and vitamin B. With amazing healing properties, the Galia melon can assist with weight loss when incorporating into the diet. Galia melon is also known to promote kidney health and support the immune system as well as fight cancer cells.
Gac Melon
This tiny sized melon is found within parts of Southern China, Northeast Australia, and sometimes Thailand. The fruit has an odd name to match its peculiar appearance, which has a shape similar to a football but is deep orange with what looks like a wart type thorny surface. The melon has a slightly tropical taste that can be described as a slight tangy sweet spiciness. This fruit is a hard fruit to come by with a short harvest season of Feb-Dec.
Golden Langkawi Melon
Golden Langkawi Melon gets its name from its origin of Langkawi, Malaysia This melon is also known as the “Golden Honeydew melon” and its harvesting 35 days after the flower appears, is indicated by skin color that changes from white to yellow.
Golden Prize Melon
This oblong shaped melon has a rough yellow skin that is thick, with its inner contents a bright orange. The sweet taste and fruit of this melon are preserved due to the tough exterior of the skin.
Hami Melon
Hailing from China from over 700 years ago is kind of musk melon that looks very similar to that of a cantaloupe. This melon is a nice subtle sweet, but if not ripened enough the sweet flavor tends to be less noticeable. This melon compliments breakfast meals quite well not only because of the taste but looks good visually with its orange raw looking flesh.
Honey Globe Melon
This melon is a phenomenon in the category of melons with its superior ability to make a high count of natural sugars. The fruit smells of honeysuckle and has a shelf life of 7 to 10 days off the vine if kept in a cool dark area. The vines of this fruit are extremely durable and prevent early dropping of the fruit, which makes this melon yield a high harvest.
Honeydew Melon
This is a musk melon that is at its sweetest when left on the vine until its sugar content is at its highest. When this melon is taken off the vine it will no longer ripen to the point of producing more sugars. The melon is high in vitamins B6 and C and has a high count of potassium and fiber.
Horned Melon
Also known as “Kiwano melon” is a fruit high in magnesium and Vitamin C and has a prickly outer surface, with the inner portions made up of a lot of seeds which are infused into the fruit itself.The inner flesh of the fruit contains a deep green jelly-like content, hence the nickname “jelly melon”. The fruit tastes similar to a vegetable but has a slightly sweet taste with slightly sour undertones.
Jade Dew Melon
Visually the Jade Dew Melon has a dewy soft toned white color with a spring grass green coloration throughout the inside portion of the outer skin. The inner fruit is a soft yellow hue that contains a sweet flavor and crunchy texture.
Kantola Melon
This bitter tasting melon is known as “Spiny Gourd”, and is incorporated into many delicious Indian recipes such as soups and curries. This fruit is high in vitamin C and Folate and is versatile when used in dishes. A popular dish to use the Kantola Melon in is to stir fry and pickle it. This melon has a similar taste to “Bitter melon” and high in fiber and vitamins. This fruit is also high in vitamin C and Folate and is said to help with Kidney stones.
Korean Melon
Known also as the “Oriental Melon” and comes from East Asia. This melon contains a white juicy fruit that is said to be difficult to harvest due to its vulnerable outer skin. The fruit’s exterior is sensitive and highly susceptible to bruising and burns easily in the sun. The fruit is worth the hassle though with its sweet-savory taste that’s similar to honeydew melon and pear.
Maroon Cucumber
This small melon tends to vary in appearance as it can look like a small watermelon with spikes or a lime color with spikes. The melon somewhat resembles a cactus and has a taste that can be compared to a cucumber. This melon grows on a vine and comes from Africa but has been cultivated in many places around the world such as Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and The American Virgin Islands. The Maroon Cucumber can be found in the US cultivated in Florida, California, Massachusetts, Montana, Georgia, Oregon, Texas, New York, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin.
New Century Melon
This melon comes from Taiwan and is a Chinese Hami melon that comes from Hami, which is in Northwestern China. This luscious fruit has a light orange coloration inside and is delightfully sweet with a 14% sugar content count. This fruit is noted for having a disease resistant properties which make it great for planting.
Santa Claus Melon
Santa Claus melon is another name for Christmas melon. It is a winter melon that is derived from Spain and is imported from South America. This melon is in the muskmelon family and tastes sweeter than honeydew and cantaloupe. This foot-long melon looks a lot like a watermelon on the outside.
Sky Rocket Melon
This melon originally came from New Zealand and has been cultivated all over. This fruit is usually a substitute for the more popular “Sky Rocket melon” yet the fruit still is a tasty treat. This melon is said to have been engineered as a product from the Sky Rocket melon.
Sprite Melon
This sweet melon comes from Japan and a is a result of a hybrid from the Honeydew melon. This melon is said to be about 30% sweeter than every other melon and is compared to honeydew melon but sweeter. Its a juicy fruit that is often eaten for dessert. This melon has been cultivated in North Carolina since 1990 and produced in the months of June to September in Eastern North Carolina and can be found there locally at farmer’s markets.
Sugar Melon
This is is rather small melon from the cantaloupe family that has a 14% sugar content. The sweet melon fruit is the candy of melon fruits with its orange center that the significantly high sugar count introduces. The taste is like a sweeter cantaloupe with a creamy texture. This melon can be found growing in Texas and are located at Walmart locations in the United States.
Ten Me Melon
One of the most expensive melons available for purchase, this tender sweet melon is worth every cent. The melon is a bright pale yellow when ripened and melon has a high-quality fresh taste that is unrivaled. Finding this melon can be difficult, but accessibility to Ten Me Melon seeds are fairly easy to find online.
Valencia Melon
This melon has a dark forest green color with a white inner fruit color that has a creamy texture. This incredible melon is said to have come from Italy, and has a resistance to most insects and rotting which makes this melon have a great shelf life. The melon is considered a winter melon because it can be stored during winter all season. The fruit is very sweet with ginger notes. The Valencia melon is said to be another name for the Honeydew melon and is grown in France, Algeria, and China.
Watermelon
Native to West African, This fruit is a favorite among many places all around the world including America. The fruit is made up of 92% water and has a sweet taste that makes it a refreshing appetizer during the summer season. Not only is this melon luscious and delicious, but its filled with a ton of nutrients that the body needs to prevent illness. Watermelon is prevalent abroad in China but can be found locally in the US grown in Texas, Georgia, California, and Florida.
Winter Melon
This melon is an obvious winter season melon, hence the name, and is a highly popular ingredient used in Chinese cuisine. The melon is a honeydew variety and has a generous size but a rather bland taste. Although not the most flavorful of melons, when cooked into soups takes on a rather soft texture that pairs well with spices and adds well to dishes. This melon originated in Ancient Egypt, but then made its way to Europe. Today this melon is grown in all parts of the world such as America, Asia, and Australia.
7 Nutritious Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe (Melon)
The humble cantaloupe may not get as much respect as other fruits, but it should.
This tasty, although odd-looking, melon is packed with nutrients. If you don’t think about nabbing a cantaloupe each time you hit your grocery store’s produce section, read on to learn why you may want to think again.
Adding fruit of any kind to your diet is beneficial. Cantaloupe, a variety of musk melon, is a particularly good choice.
1. Beta-carotene
When it comes to beta-carotene, cantaloupe knocks other yellow-orange fruits out of the park.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) , cantaloupe has more beta- carotene than:
apricots
grapefruit
oranges
peaches
tangerines
nectarines
mangoes
An early study determined that orange-flesh melons like cantaloupe have the same amount of beta-carotene as carrots.
Beta-carotene is a type of carotenoid. Carotenoids are pigments that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors. Once eaten, beta-carotene is either converted into vitamin A or acts as a powerful antioxidant to help fight free radicals that attack cells in your body.
Vitamin A is important to:
eye health
healthy red blood cells
a healthy immune system
2. Vitamin C
According to the USDA , 1 cup of balled cantaloupe contains over 100 percent of the recommended daily value (DV) of vitamin C. According to the Mayo Clinic , vitamin C is involved in the production of:
blood vessels
cartilage
muscle
collagen in bones
More research is needed on vitamin C to prove its effectiveness against diseases like:
asthma
cancer
diabetes
However, eating vitamin C-rich foods may help reduce how long your symptoms last the next time you have the common cold.
A Cochrane Library review found vitamin C reduced the length of the common cold in adults by 8 percent. In children, the time span of having a cold was reduced by 14 percent.
3. Folate
Folate is also known as vitamin B-9. Folate is the term used when it’s naturally present in foods. Folic acid is the term used for supplements and fortified foods.
Folate is well-known for preventing neural-tube birth defects like spinal bifida.
It may also help:
reduce the risk of some cancers
address memory loss due to aging, although more research is needed
When it comes to cancer, folate may be a double-edged sword.
According to a closer look at studies on the vitamin published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, folate may offer protection in early cancers and in people with a folate deficiency. However, vitamin B-9 in high doses, such as excessive supplementation, may stimulate or worsen later-stage cancers.
According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnant women and women of childbearing age need to consume 400-600 micrograms of folate daily.
Males over age 13 should consume 400 micrograms. Two cups of balled cantaloupe have 74 micrograms of folate, or around 19 percent of the daily value.
4. Water
Like most fruits, cantaloupe has high water content, at almost 90 percent. Eating cantaloupe helps you stay hydrated throughout the day, which is important for heart health.
When you’re hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood. Good hydration also supports:
digestion
healthy kidneys
a healthy blood pressure
Mild dehydration may cause:
dizziness
headache
less urination
dry skin
dry mouth
constipation
Severe cases may be serious and lead to:
rapid heart rate
confusion
low blood pressure
shriveled skin
unconsciousness
Dehydration is also a risk factor for developing kidney stones.
Plain water is your best bet for staying hydrated. Eating water-rich fruits like cantaloupe can also help.
5. Fiber
The health benefits of fiber go beyond preventing constipation. A high-fiber diet may:
reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes
help you lose weight by making you feel fuller longer
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015–2020, the recommended intake of fiber is the following:
Men under 50 : 34 grams
Men over 50 : 28 grams
Women under 50 : 28 grams
Women over 50 : 22 grams
6. Potassium
One wedge of a medium-sized cantaloupe provides 4 percent of your potassium daily value. Potassium is an essential electrolyte mineral.
According to the American Heart Association, potassium helps keep the right water balance between cells and body fluids.
Potassium is also vital to nerve health and proper muscle contraction. Eating a potassium-rich snack like cantaloupe after exercise helps replenish depleted electrolytes.
7. Other vitamins and minerals | Other vitamins and minerals
One cup of cantaloupe contains 1.5 grams of protein. It also has small amounts of many other vitamins and minerals, including:
vitamin K
niacin
choline
calcium
magnesium
phosphorous
zinc
copper
manganese
selenium
These healthy benefits make cantaloupe a well-rounded, nutritious fruit choice.
How to choose cantaloupe
Cantaloupes are available year-round, but this melon shines during the summer when it’s at its freshest and sweetest.
When choosing a ripe cantaloupe, look for one that’s symmetrical and feels slightly heavy. The color should be a creamy, light yellow-orange with little to no green. Ripe cantaloupe should smell sweet and a little musky.
For the freshest taste, use cantaloupe within 3 days of purchase.
Ways to use cantaloupe
Cantaloupes are delicious on their own or in fruit salad, but there are other surprising ways to use them. Here are a few examples:
Cantaloupe smoothie. This nutritious drink is made from cantaloupe, Greek yogurt, and natural sweetener. It makes a great breakfast or snack. View the recipe.
Cantaloupe salad. Combining cantaloupe with basil, mozzarella, onions, red wine vinegar, and olives gives it a savory kick. View the recipe.
Cantaloupe sorbet. You only need four ingredients to make this frosty treat: cantaloupe, lemon, honey, and water. View the recipe.
Roasted cantaloupe. Most people wouldn’t dream of roasting cantaloupe, but it brings out the melon’s natural sweetness. View the recipe.
The takeaway
When it comes to melons, you can’t do much better than cantaloupe. It’s nutritious, delicious, and versatile.
If you typically buy watermelon or honeydew melon and shy away from cantaloupe, you’re missing out. At 60 calories and no fat per 1-cup serving, adding cantaloupe to your diet arsenal is a smart way to get potent nutrients and sweetness into your healthy eating plan.
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