Different types of melon have been a primary source of food for more than 3,000 years, and there are different types of melons with various tastes and appearances. Some of them are quite tasty, while others are extremely hard to find. Keep on reading to learn more about the different types of melons.
Types of Melon
Melons are rich in nutrients and low in calories, so they’re suitable for people who are trying to lose weight. The rarest type of melon is the Yubari King melon, which grows in a small area in Japan and costs more than $20,000. Here is some information about some of the most popular types of melon.
1. Watermelons
These are probably some of the most popular melons, as they grow in different parts of the world. There are several variations of watermelons, but all of them have the same features.
The outer green rind is rigid, while the soft red interior is sweet and delicious. They’re called watermelons because they have a high content of water that exceeds 90%. As a result, watermelons are very hydrating and quite tasty, especially in hot weather.
China is the world’s biggest watermelon producer, but it’s grown in other parts of the world, including Brazil, Turkey, and the USA. The soil has to be well-drained because melons don’t grow in soggy soil.
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2. Cantaloupe
There are different kinds of cantaloupes, including the European and North American Cantaloupes. Both are quite delicious and are popular because of their sweet taste.
The European Cantaloupes have a grayish skin with white stripes, while the North American Cantaloupes have smooth netted skin. Both types have sweet orange flesh, so they’re often used in fruit salads and desserts. The plants grow attractive yellow flowers.
The American Cantaloupe has a lighter flavor, so it’s often paired with other types of fruit in desserts or salads. It’s also healthy and rich in vitamin A and antioxidants. The European version is sweeter.
3. Honeydew Melon
Honeydew melon has a smooth pale green rind, and the flesh is almost the same color. It’s one of the sweetest melons, making it a popular snack and high-calorie dessert alternative.
Because it’s super refreshing, it’s generally used in smoothies and ice creams. The honeydew melon is either round or oval in shape and grows in different parts of France, Algeria, and China. In general, honeydew melon grows best in dry, hot weather and warm soil.
Honeydew melon doesn’t have an overwhelming taste, unlike other melons that can be too sweet. As a result, it will leave you feeling refreshed if you eat it in a salad or enjoy it as a snack.
4. Ananas
Ananas is native to the Middle East and looks quite close to cantaloupe with a textured rind. This melon is oval in shape, and the flesh is a light shade of off-white or yellow.
Compared to other variants of melons, this is extremely sweet and might have a slightly spicy flavor. As a matter of fact, the taste is very close to the taste of pineapples. These melons are also known for their narrow seed cavities.
Ananas melon is either diced or cubed to be served with salads and cheese. It can also be added to cold soups or incorporated into other sweet and savory dishes.
5. Bitter Melon
This is one of the few types of melons that actually doesn’t taste sweet. Despite its bitter taste, this melon is quite popular in different parts of Asia, although it’s consumed as a vegetable. Unlike other melons, this one isn’t round. It has an elongated shape with a deep green rind.
The bitter melon is native to India, but it’s currently grown in African and Caribbean regions. It’s rich in antioxidants and is known to boost immunity. The Indian variety is narrow with pointed ends, and there are some spikes on the rind. The Chinese variety is a little longer, with wart-like protrusions on the rind.
In traditional medicine, bitter melon is used to help with diabetes, obesity, and intestinal problems. It’s also rich in Vitamin C.
6. Camouflage Melon
This melon has skin that looks like a frog’s skin, so it’s often called Frog Skin Melon. It’s also called Christmas melon because it’s quite hardy and has long keeping qualities, suggesting that it may last till Christmas. The outer skin is green or brown and resembles the look of the skin of amphibians.
It’s quite popular in Australia, but it’s native to Spain. The flesh is off-white, like honeydew, but it’s softer and juicier. Camouflage melon is quite tasty, so it’s mostly used in fruit salads, smoothies, and desserts.
7. Canary Melon
This melon is larger than most types of melons, with an elongated shape and pale-green or white flesh. The skin looks bright yellow, just like a canary bird’s color, from which the melon gets its name.
This melon has a tangy taste, unlike other types of melons that are usually sweeter. The plant grows beautiful yellow flowers, and the melon is widely used in salads.
Canary melon pairs well with citrus, ginger, and other types of sweeter melons. It’s an excellent addition to cold soups because the tangy and mellow sweet flavors are brought up by hints of basil, peppermint, chilies, and nuts.
8. Galia Melon
The Galia Melon is native to the Middle East and is a hybrid between the cantaloupe and the honeydew. It was first grown in a laboratory, but it’s currently cultivated in different types of the world, including Spain, Turkey, and Greece.
This melon looks round and has a rough texture and spicy-sweet flesh. The rind is a dark shade of yellow, while the flesh is slightly pale. Compared to other types of melons, this one has a strong aroma, so it’s quite popular. The seeds are also edible.
Galia melon can be cubed, sliced, or pureed to be served as a dessert, snack, or for breakfast. It’s rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants.
9. Horned Melon
Also known as Kiwano, horned melon is an exotic fruit native to Central and Southern Africa. The outer rind is thick and bright orange with protruding spikes that give the fruit its name. The lime green flesh has a gelatinous texture and contains edible seeds.
Horned melon contains a lot of essential nutrients like Vitamin C and Vitamin A, and it’s also rich in antioxidants. The taste is a mix between the taste of a cucumber and a zucchini, so it’s not as sweet as other types of melon. People can eat it raw or cooked, and salt or pepper might be added to enhance the flavor.
10. Charentais Melon
This melon is known for its refreshing and aromatic fragrance, which is stronger than its taste. It originates in France but is currently widely produced in North Africa and some of the Southern US states.
The melon is round and has a light pistachio greenish peel with darker stripes, and the flesh is bright orange. The melon itself is quite small compared to other types of melons, almost the size of a softball. It’s very rich in Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and fibers.
The Charentais melon is usually eaten raw, as it’s not suitable for cooking. It can be paired with different types of cheese and meat, or used in smoothies and desserts, thanks to its distinctive aroma. It should be kept in the fridge once it’s ripe.
11. Gac Melon
The Gac melon is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, as it complements the taste of rice. Due to its short harvest season, this melon isn’t that easy to find. It’s rich in nutrients and has a distinctive flavor.
This melon is widely spread in Vietnam, Australia, and China. The most distinctive feature of this melon is the bright spiked orange or red rind that stands out among melon types.
The flesh is made of two different parts, and both of them can be consumed. The flesh is bright orange, while the inner cloves are red. Compared to the other types of melons, this one doesn’t taste sweet. The taste is close to the taste of avocados, so it’s widely used in stews, soups, and curries.
Wrap Up
Melons have an interesting history and are widely consumed raw or cooked, as they’re quite popular across the globe. Different types of melons can be incorporated in sweet and savory dishes or served as stand-alone snacks because they’re packed with amazing nutrients.
Most melons are perishable and should be consumed fresh when ripe or kept in the fridge. If you’re not going to eat your melons, it might be a good idea to use them in a refreshing smoothie, summer salad, or freeze fruity popsicles.