9 Types of Melons and How to Use Them This Summer
Few people can resist the temptation of a sweet and juicy watermelon or cantaloupe in the summertime. But did you know there are more than 40 different kinds of melons out there? As much as we all love the classic and most popular varieties, here are 10 other types of melons to look for this summer and how best to use them in the kitchen.
See more: 23 Refreshing Melon Recipes to Make This Summer
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1. Banana Melon
Scientific Name: Cucumis melo
Flavor Profile: Spicy and sweet
One look is all you need to guess how the banana melon got its name. Although they resemble a banana on the outside, their peachy inner flesh is often compared to that of a cantaloupe. These made their mark on the United States in 1883, due in part to their unique flavor that is described as spicy and savory with a hint of banana aftertaste. These grow best in the northern region of the U.S. and have a longer shelf life than most other melons.
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2. Bitter Melon
Scientific Name: Momordica charantia
Flavor Profile: Bitter
Bitter melons are most commonly found in Asian and Indian dishes and used to accentuate meals with their wild and eccentric flavor profile. These melons are also said to be a source of medicinal benefits for anyone suffering from diabetes or indigestion. They grow best in tropical climates, like the Caribbean and South America, but you can always attempt to grow them in your own garden if you have a little TLC to spare.
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3. Canary Melon
Scientific Name: Cucumis melo L. ‘Canary’
Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy
Cheery yellow and renowned for their juicy and tangy taste, canary melons taste similar to a honeydew but with a notably denser texture. These are grown in Asia and South America, where they often sliced and eaten raw alongside breakfast or tossed in fruit salads. You can easily do the same at home, or transform them into a chilled soup, delicious and refreshing summer drink, or one-of-a-kind jam.
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4. Crane Melon
Scientific Name: Cucumis melo L.
Flavor Profile: Sweet
Crane melons are considered the melting pot of melons, since their origin contains everything from Japanese and Persian melons to ambrosia and white melons. Developed in California by Oliver Crane in 1920 and not allowed to be grown by anyone outside the Crane family until the 1990s, these complicated hybrids are unlikely to be spotted in a grocery store but can be grown from seeds purchased online from various seed companies.
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5. Cucamelon
Scientific Name: Melothria scabra
Flavor Profile: Sweet and sour
Cucamelons are quite possibly the most endearing melon variety on the list. Resembling watermelons but the size of grapes, these may surprise you with their flavor profile since most describe them as tasting more like a cucumber than a melon. These are often pickled like a traditional cucumber or sliced and used in cocktails for a complex sweet and sour punch.
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6. Kantola Melon
Scientific Name: Momordica dioica
Flavor Profile: Bitter
Kantola melons have many names, including spiny gourd, spine gourd, bristly balsam pear, prickly carolaho and teasle gourd. No matter what you want to call it, this melon variety is high in vitamin C and folate and most commonly found in Indian curries or cooked with spices and served alongside fish and meat. You can also fry, pickle or incorporate them into quick stir-fry dishes.
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7. Persian Melon
Scientific Name: Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis
Flavor Profile: Sweet
Also known as Odessa melons, this variety descends from present day Iran. Elongated and smooth, these can often be mistaken for cantaloupe. But Persian melons are larger and give off a sweet, almost flowery scent when they are fully ripe. If you spot these at the store, choose the one that feels heaviest for its size for the best chance at a ripe and sugary treat.
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8. Santa Claus Melon
Scientific Name: Cucumis melo var. inodorus
Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet
Sometimes referred to as the Christmas melon, Santa Claus melons are actually named for their long shelf life. With a dark and thick rind, these melons can last for months, making it possible to enjoy a sweet and mild treat as late as wintertime. Some claim that Santa Claus melons taste remarkably similar to honeydew, but others say they have earthier flavor notes.
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9. Valencia Melon
Scientific Name: Cucumis melo var. inodorus cv.
Flavor Profile: Sweet
With a dark green rind and creamy flesh, Valencia melons hail from Italy and are notorious for their resistance to everything from pests to rot. Understandably, these have an excellent shelf life, which puts them in the category of winter melons (because they can last through winter when stored properly). They are also said to taste sweet with hints of ginger, making them all the more unique.