Is there any variety of cantaloupe that is actually flavorful?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Maybe it's just my tastebuds, I don't know -- but I can't find a cantaloupe that has much taste. Now the charantais melons? So loaded with flavor the one I harvested the other day just about knocked the taste buds out of my mouth.

I know I'm picking the cantaloupes ripe (color, fragrance, and slip) but they're just so bland. Latest trial is "Milan" -- better than store-bought but meh. Still have "Tuscany" on the vine, those aren't ripe yet. "Minnesota Midget" was completely tasteless last year. Is the nature of cantaloupes just bland or is there some other variety I should be growing rather than these duds?

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Comments (12)

LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
3 years ago
I really like Sarah's Choice from Johnny's seeds. Unfortunately the raccoons and possums like it too and they usually don't wait for full slip.
war garden
3 years ago
ripeness seems to an important issue
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randy41_1
3 years ago
I used to grow Athena and they were great when ripe.
mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
3 years ago
Turns out there were two ripe "Tuscany" out there -- had some for lunch. Another meh.
labradogs
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Halona F1 is very tasty. I was disappointed with the bland taste of Charantais as well as Minnesota Midget and will never grow them again.

Linda
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
3 years ago
Burpee Early Hybrid Crenshaw that gets 14 pounds or more and fully ripened on a healthy vine is about the best for me. Wllhite Sugar Queen is good. Goddess can be very flavorful OR NOT.
vgkg Z-7 Va
3 years ago
Burpee's Ambrosia has been our favorite for years, friends and family rave about it and always want more. They are very productive and when fully ripe I can't see how any other melon can beat it for sweetness and juiciness. I planted 8 this year and have already picked about 25 melons with at least another 20 coming up. A trick I use to prolong their ripening and lasting on the vive without rotting is to place a little "mattress" of pine needles under each melon keeping it off the ground. Pick when they slip, store at room temp for 24 hours, then place in the fridge for a delightful super sweet treat.
LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
3 years ago
vgkg - can you ship me a box of pine needles? We don't have any of those around here!

I put a 4x4 piece of old tile under each cantaloupe and larger tile under watermelons to keep them off the ground.
labradogs
3 years ago
I save the styrofoam trays that come with meat, and use them as melon "matresses" :).

Linda
mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
3 years ago
Lots of good recs - keep them coming! I do grow crenshaw ("Lily") and they're pretty good. DH loves them.
vgkg Z-7 Va
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I should have mentioned that when picked our Ambrosias and stored at room temp for 24 hours (after picking and before chilling) that ours are kept in the detached garage for that 24 hours. The overpowering sweet aroma of these melons would drive us out of the house if we brought them inside. The garden fridge is also in that garage.

Oh and LoneJack, plant a couple of pine trees and you'll be set for life ;-)
Scott Rifkin
3 years ago
The key to great melon taste is to stop watering when the melons are two weeks from picking. It took me 20 years to figure this out. Over-watering dilutes the taste.

Is there any variety of cantaloupe that is actually flavorful?

Comments (12)

LoneJack Zn 6a, KC

war garden

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Is there any variety of cantaloupe that is actually flavorful?

Comments (12)

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