Melon mavens assert that tourists in France have been known to pull to the side of the road, drawn to a halt by the incredible scent of a Charentais Melon field. We have not witnessed this phenomenon first hand, but can believe it to be true. Charentais melons (also known as Cavaillon melons) are a…
The Galia Melon bears the name of the family in Israel attributed with its creation, and is a relative of the Ogen melon, another Israeli cultivar. Small and round, with cantaloupe-esque netting over yellow rind, Galias have pale green, almost white, sweet, juicy flesh and can be powerfully aromatic. Galias have been gaining in popularity,…
When a melon is ripe, we mean truly vine-ripe, nothing can beat its sweet, juicy, complex flavor. The problem is that commercial growers, in their attempt to provide melons to the consumer 365 days a year, have lowered the cook’ s expectations. The cantaloupe and honeydew have been relegated to salad bar and drop-a-slice-on-a-leaf-of-kale-and-you’ ve-got-your-garnish…
The Sugar Baby Watermelon is another pint-sized watermelon variety. Five to six inches in diameter, Sugar Babies are extra sweet and their exterior color is a solid, dark green. Quarter a Sugar Baby and you’ve got single servings that present the lovely shape of their much larger relatives. Thinly slice a Sugar Baby on a…
An old friend with a new twist, Tendral Melons are the new and improved version of Spanish Melons. They are super sweet (13 to 14 on the refractometer), and a great addition to the Melon line up. Similar in shape to Crenshaw Melons, they have a heavily ridged exterior and an interior similar to Canary…