Oh, Honey-DON’T settle for just any-melon.
June 25, 2019
I would not consider myself a melon fan. I like watermelon, in season and chilled. I may have a few bites of Jersey cantaloupe. Honeydew is what I feed my in-laws.
Anyway, for the better part of a decade, I’ve sold specialty melons and wondered how they compared and if they were anything to get excited about..
A couple weeks ago, I grabbed a curious intern with a better camera and started chopping…
After chopping, tasting, and sharing with my co-workers, I can confidently say that specialty melon season is worth it. I will liken it to waiting for Jersey, free-stone peaches.
- Canary Melons have bright canary-yellow skin and surprising green flesh. They taste very sweet, like a perfectly ripened cantaloupe.
- Crenshaw Melons have a unique squat shape, buttery-yellow and green skin, and orange flesh. Crenshaw is very fragrant; it tastes like a ripe cantaloupe with notes of cucumber.
- Galia Melons are a netted variety. Their green flesh is firmer, like honeydew. This melon tastes very sweet, with a pallet-cleansing finish– an ideal intermezzo.
Specialty melons will be in season through late-August. Also, Jersey Fresh cantaloupes have just started; and you can expect sugar babies and yellow watermelons soon.
Fresh Melon Suggestions:
- Wrap them in prosciutto.
- Including them on cheese boards.
- Melon Gazpacho, topped with toasted coconut (we had this at an employee BBQ last summer– amazing!)
The purpose of this blog to share my 9 years of produce industry insight. So enjoy more fresh produce, buy with confidence, and let’s move fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables to the center of the plate!
Liz G.
Marketing Manager
