Western cultivars are what you’re most likely to see in supermarkets. When growing cantaloupe, be sure to give them plenty of space to do their thing.įinally, many cantaloupe types are further broken down into Western and Eastern varieties in the US. Next up, though most of our roundups of recommended cultivars include plant height and spread information, I’ve found that cantaloupe descriptions in particular do not often include these specifics, unless they are particularly noteworthy. Most varieties are also ribbed, or covered with what are known as “sutures,” grooves of varying depth that typically start light green and darken as the fruit matures. But since the late 1800s when cantaloupe was first used as a marketing term for all types of melon shipped throughout the US in crates, the name (and associated oversimplification) has stuck.įirst, cantaloupe are generally beige or tan to greenish in color, and the rinds are covered with netting. Some would argue that cultivars of the reticulatus variety are not in fact “true” cantaloupe but rather, other types of muskmelons. reticulatus hails from North America, whereas C. Even connoisseurs can be plagued by the paradox of choice…Ī variety of muskmelon ( Cucumis melo), there are two main variants of this species. But I did it, to make your decision a little easier. It wasn’t easy to narrow down this roundup of top cantaloupe cultivars to just 11. But I’ll try, for your sake, to be a little more discerning. Some of them are jumbo, others diminutive. Many are named after goddesses, with an emphasis on beauty. While the grocery store might offer a simple generic “cantaloupe” with no additional identifying features, and you may even be lucky to find a few different cultivars for sale from a local farmer, I’m betting you had no idea there were so many delicious types out there to choose from. I have dreamed about far more cantaloupe (and honeydew) than I’ve actually consumed over the past decade and a half, after all.īut before you get to sowing or transplanting, fertilizing and watering, tending to pollination, and finding joy (and occasional aggravation – what are those spots, and these bugs?) in all the various tasks required to bring these cheery vine fruits to harvest, you have a decision to make:
I’m not about to ask you to stop counting your chicken melons before they hatch. One of the best parts of growing your own cantaloupe at home is that you get to choose when to pluck those webbed orbs from the vine, letting your senses guide the way, and you get to decide when to make that first slice to reveal the juicy goodness inside. Unless peak ripeness can be assured, that is.Īnd that’s where this roundup comes in.
And when it comes to certain items like stone fruit and melons, my bestie and eternal housemate is in fact something of a fruit connoisseur.Ĭan you blame him for judging all store-bought cantaloupe poorly, unless proven otherwise?Īfter too many childhood fruit cups filled with pre-cut grocery store melon that was picked, chopped, and packed far too soon, rather than face even one more chunk of pale, dry, unappealing cantaloupe, he’d rather skip it altogether. You’re more likely to get something sweet, delicious, and perfectly ripe when you can grow it yourself. The ability to try before you buy isn’t always available to us.įruit is a variable product, and quality can range from the irresistibly succulent to… well, something that you might be more inclined to spit out and eschew forever. In case you’re worried this dear, sweet human that I call my husband is something of a tyrant, I don’t want you to get the wrong impression.įar, far on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of dictatorial mannerisms, I assure you, he’s all about homegrown produce, and loves bringing big hauls of fresh fruits and vegetables into the kitchen from our local farm box delivery service or the farmers market.īack in the days when you were allowed to try a sample, he’d go wild.Īnd that’s really the issue at hand. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products.
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