Cantaloupe is a special species of muskmelons. It’s known, that the cantaloupe was first grown in the papal garden of Cantaloupe, Italy, hence the name Cantaloupe. Americans love this summer fruit and they are behind the popularity of cantaloupe melon throughout the world. Now let’s check these ten facts about cantaloupe and find out more about this interesting fruit.
10 Facts About Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe has been mentioned in history since Roman times, around 2,400 BC. It was Columbus, who introduced this fruit to the new world in one of his voyages.
Though cantaloupe is a muskmelon, it has a resemblance to squashes and is placed somewhere between summer and winter squashes according to their taste and nutrition.
The leader in the production of cantaloupe in the United States is Texas.
As mentioned earlier, cantaloupe or Cucumis melo is the popular melon in America that comes with a netted khaki-colored rind. However, cantaloupes that come from Europe have a rough warty surface.
Cantaloupes are picked when they are completely ripe. Remember, they don’t develop further once they leave their vine.
The best way to judge a cantaloupe without cutting the fruit is by examining the rind. The cantaloupe rind should be slightly golden. The stem end should have a slight indentation if picked properly in fully ripened condition. The blossom end will be slightly soft if the fruit is ready to eat, or you will have to keep it in the refrigerator.
Usually, cantaloupes that are sold in the market are for immediate consumption, they don’t improve once they are cut. Ripe and cut cantaloupes are very difficult to keep in refrigerated condition even in tight plastic wrapping.
Another fact – cantaloupes are eaten in different ways. The first and best way of consuming this fruit is – cut and eat. You can cut this fruit in various interesting forms like halves, quarters, wedges, and cubes. However, take out the seeds before eating.
Cantaloupe is high in water content. Also, it is low in calorie count. It is a good source of beta-carotene and consists of a high amount of potassium and Vitamin C.
Cantaloupe belongs to the gourd family and is closely related to pumpkins and cucumbers.
