French melon

The cantaloupe melon, (Cucumis melo cantalupensis) was already known by the Egiptians and the Romans. Nowadays, France is the biggest producer of this variety, that is why it is known as French melon. It is also known as sweet melon for its taste and yellow melon for its colour. In Spain this type of melon is grown in the regions of Murcia and Almería.

The cantaloupe differs in shape and colour from regular melons. Its spheric shape and the greenish-yellow colour of its peel stand out in this fruit. The size is smaller than that of the regular melon and its weight varies between 700 and 1,500 grams. Its peel is also thinner and it has lines which go from the base of the fruit to the stem. These should be thick and rough, as soft skin in this type of melons is not a good sign. The pulp of this melon is orange, like a pumpkin. It has a characteristic aroma.

This type of melon is sold all year through, but its best time is between June and August. At this time of the year it is when the fruit has developed its characteristic sweet taste. The yellow colour of its peel may make it look as if it was ripe, but it is not. One of the best indications to know whether it is ripe is its aroma, which must be delicate and sweet.