Most of us are familiar with the standard cantaloupe in the
supermarket. But a host of different melons are actually
cantaloupes with a variety of colors both for the flesh and the
rind.

Cantaloupes have uniform netting and slip from the vine when
fully ripe. The netting is important. It allows these melons to
be shipped across the country without damage. That’s why they’re
often called Western-shipping melons.

The name muskmelon, which is just another term for cantaloupe,
refers to the musky odor of cantaloupes.

Many people reserve this term for large melons that often have
deep sutures, or indented lines, and very little if any netting.
These melons are often called Eastern or Eastern shipping
melons.

‘Mush Melon’ Not Entirely
Wrong

Some even use the term “mush melon.” This is just a mistaken
pronunciation of muskmelon. It is somewhat descriptive, though,
since these melons tend to soften quickly when ripe. And without
rind netting, they’re more susceptible to injury.

Another common type of cantaloupe is the honeydew melon, which
has a green or cream-colored, smooth rind and flesh of a similar
color. These melons don’t slip from the vine at maturity.
Consequently, it’s harder to tell when they’re mature.

Colorful Names

The more obviously different cantaloupe cousins are referred to
as specialty melons. Often found in the supermarket in late
summer or early fall, they have names such as Casaba, Crenshaw,
Christmas melon and Juan Canary.

Colors for the rind range from bright yellow to green and yellow
stripes. The flesh ranges from bright orange to salmon to
green.

Some of these melons are found only in seed catalogs, so you’ll
have to grow them yourself to experience them.

Hard-to-find Melons

One such melon is the French Charentais. These melons have a gray
or gray-blue, sutured rind with orange flesh. They can be quite
tasty, but don’t keep long after they’ve been picked.

Some cantaloupes have been developed for greenhouse production.
An example is the Galia melon, which has a netted rind like a
typical cantaloupe but with green flesh like a honeydew.

With specialty melons, whether you grow them yourself or buy them
in the store, you’re in for a treat of new flavors and, in many
cases, higher sugar content than the standard cantaloupe or
honeydew. Many have a much longer shelf life, too, so you have
longer to enjoy them.