Melons

The melon is the fruit of a vine-like plant that was first cultivated in Africa and Persia around 2,000 BC. They were brought to Europe in the 15th century and taken to the New World by Columbus.

There are three major types of melon: small, ridged skin melons; melons with a netted or mesh rind; and melons with a smooth rind.

1. Ridged Skin Melons

This group of melons include the Cantaloupe melons, named after the Italian town of Cantalupo, near Tivoli. They are among the most aromatic of the melons, with a ribbed, warty skin and an orange, rich and juicy flesh. One of the tastiest of the Cantaloupes is the Charentais variety from France and Spain. Considered as one of the best dessert melons, the Charentais has a round shape with a pale green to cream rind that encloses deep-orange, sweet, juicy flesh. It is delicious when served chilled on its own, as part of a fruit salad, or wrapped in smoked salmon or prosciutto as an hors d'oeuvres.

2. Netted or Mesh-Rind Melons

This type of melon is often referred to as muskmelon, and is easily recognised by the distinctive raised netting on their rind, which may be coarse like crochet work or fine like lace. Their skin may be green or yellow-orange, whilst their flesh ranges from green to salmon-pink. Confusing enough, musk melons are referred to as canteloupes in the U.S., although these are quite different from the ribbed-skin cantaloupes from Europe. In fact, the true cantaloupe melon is not grown commercially in the United States.

One of the most popular of the netted muskmelons is the Galia; a round melon with green to yellow skin with small wrinkled lines. Its juicy flesh is yellow or light green and full of flavour.

Muskmelons may be served on their own, in fruit salads or in slices with a selection of cold meats. Their sweet, juicy flesh may be puréed and adding to fresh orange juice for a delicious non alcoholic cocktail.

3. Smooth Rind Melons

The third type of melon includes those with a smooth rind. When fully ripe, they have a sweet tasting flesh that varies in colour depending on the variety. For example, the Honeydew is an oval-shaped melon with green or yellow rind and a pale green, yellow or pink inner flesh. It has a subtle, refreshing sweet flavour and a wonderful aroma. This variety of melon is best served cut into slices and sprinkled with a little ground ginger or cinnamon.