Taste: True to their name, watermelons have a high water content.There are likely over 1,000 varieties of watermelon cultivated throughout the world. Description: This is the classic “ watermelon ” that many people know and love.We’ve broken them up by genus and (when applicable) species and variety. Let’s dive in! Remember, all melons fall within the family Cucurbitaceae. You can think of this in the same way that we think of dog breeds. Each of these varieties is considered a distinctly different melon. melo – actually has over 25 different varieties. In other instances, like with genus Cucumis, one species – C. In some instances, like with genus Citrullus, each variety of melon is its own species. Within each of these families, there are many species. Momordica: while much lesser-known, species within Momordica are split between classic “melons” and other types of non-sweet fruit.Many different kinds of melon fall into this grouping. ![]() sativus) as well as the largest varietal species of melon: C. Cucumis: this genus includes the cucumber ( C.Citrullus: members of this genus are often grouped simply as “watermelons.” There are many varieties of them that we will discuss later.Generally, members of the genus Cucurbita are not considered melons because they lack “musky-scented” fruit. They are commonly referred to as squashes, gourds, pumpkins, and zucchinis. Cucurbita: this family of herbaceous vines is native to the Andes and Mesoamerica.Let’s take a look at which genera generally fall into the melon family. Of the roughly 95 Cucurbitaceae genera, a few of them are of the most commercial and human importance. Most melons are a fantastic source of vitamin A and vitamin C, and you likely have tried a handful of melon varieties from your local grocery store. According to Britannica, a melon is a “trailing vine in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae).” This definition narrows the field a tad, but that still leaves about 95 genera and 900+ species! Thankfully, the definition continues: “…grown for its often musky-scented edible fruit.” Typically, melons are also sweet rather than earthy. The term “melon” is somewhat analogous to the term “fruit” or “anchovy” in the sense that it captures a grouping of organisms rather than a single species. Today, let’s take a deep dive into many of the different kinds of melons. This is partly due to the fact that melons have been cultivated by humans for over 5,000 years. Canary melons grow low to the ground on thick, trailing vines.The world of melons is vast, confusing, and interesting. Today, canary melons grow throughout Asia in Japan and South Korea, North Africa in Algeria and Morocco, Mexico and the United States. Native to regions around the Mediterranean and Middle East, canary melon is believed to have originated in Iran. Grill them to bring out natural sugars for your next warm fruit salad, cook canary melon into sweet confections or use their juice in flavorful beverages. They can be frozen into sorbets, granitas or fruit pops. Enjoy raw chunks of tangy canary melon, either plain or zhuzhed up with honey, cheese, charcuterie or seasonings. For a week or two after harvesting, the skin will take on a slightly wrinkled texture (often referred to as corrugation), which is a sign that they’re ripe and juicy!Ĭanary melons can be prepared in many different ways for countless foods and drinks. At the very center, the flesh around the seed cavity is peachy pink around its hard, brown seeds. Inside, the flesh is the whitish color of an asian pear, with a similar texture. Ripe canary melons will have bright yellow, taught, waxy rinds that are free of blemishes. However, they keep maturing a bit after harvesting, at which time they become softer and sweeter. Canary melon tastes faintly musky and sweet like its cantaloupe cousin, with the tangy essence of pineapple.Ĭanary melons, like many melons, are harvested when ripe. Also known as Juan Canary melons and Cucumis melo, These show-stopping melons offer a truly special fruit experience! Their pale, peachy white flesh has texture similar to a cross between a cantaloupe and an Asian pear, with similar hints of flavor. If you love cantaloupe and honeydew melon, just wait until you get your hands on a canary melon.
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