Cantaloupe: Nutrition and Varieties

Muskmelon (Cantaloupe; Cucumis melo), commonly known as cantaloupe or cantaloupe, is a sweet and delicious melon that is widely loved by people. Originally cantaloupe referred only to European non-reticulated orange-fleshed melons, but today may refer to any orange-fleshed melon species of C. melo,

Appearance features

• Appearance: Muskmelons are usually round or oval in shape, with obvious reticular patterns on the surface, and the peel is orange or light green, sometimes with light orange spots.
• Size: Muskmelons vary in size depending on the variety; generally speaking, they are slightly larger than regular melons.
• Pulp: The flesh of the musk melon is orange-yellow, soft, juicy, and exudes a unique sweet taste.

How to eat

• Eat raw: Muskmelon can be sliced ​​or scooped into balls and eaten raw as a refreshing fruit salad or as a standalone dessert.
• Processing: It can also be used to make smoothies, juices, ice cream and other pastries.
• Accompaniments: Muskmelon can be paired with ingredients such as other fruits, cheeses, frozen meats, and wine to add rich texture and flavor.

Cantaloupe Calories and Nutritional Values

Amount Per Serving 100g (% Daily Value)

• Calories 34
• Total fat 0.2 g 0%
• Saturated fat 0.1 g 0%
• Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
• Sodium 16 mg 0%
• Potassium 267 mg 7%
• Total Carbohydrates 8 g 2%
• Dietary fiber 0.9g 3%
• 8 grams of granulated sugar
• Protein 0.8g 1%
• Vitamin C 61%
• Calcium 0%
• Iron 1%
• Vitamin D 0%
• Vitamin B6 5%
• Cobalamin 0%
• Magnesium 3%

Muskmelon is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium and folic acid. It contains high amounts of water and is low in calories, making it an ideal summer fruit choice.

Muskmelon is rich in antioxidants, which help protect cells from free radical damage and help maintain skin health and immune system function.

Shop and store

• Buying: Choose muskmelons that are intact in appearance and have no spots or dents in the skin. The fruit should be heavy and have a strong aroma.
• Storage: Store uncut melons at room temperature or in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for several days.

Common Musk Melon Varieties

1. Cantalupe melon (Cantaloupe; Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis): Also known as the American cantaloupe, it is one of the most common varieties of musk melon. Its peel is orange with obvious net veins, and its flesh is orange, sweet in taste, soft and juicy in texture. The name cantaloupe comes from the French cantaloupe found in the 18th century Cantalupo Cantus (C) region of Italy, which was formerly the papal county near Rome, after the fruit was introduced there from Armenia.

2. Honeydew (Honeydew; Cucumis melo L. (Inodorus group)): The skin of hamelon is light green or white, and the flesh is light green or white. The texture is crispy, the taste is sweet and refreshing, and it has a light honeydew aroma.

3. Honeydew melon (Galia; Cucumis melo var. reticulatus): The appearance of honeydew melon is similar to that of cantaloupe, but the peel is light green and there may be some yellow spots on the surface. The flesh is light yellow, crisp and tender in texture, sweet and juicy in taste, and some varieties have a strong aroma. It is an F1 hybrid melon, derived from a cross between the green-fleshed melon variety "Ha-Ogen" and the net-skinned melon variety "Krimka". Developed by melon breeder Dr. Zvi Karchi at the Israel Agricultural Research Organization Ne´ve Yaar Research Center

4. Hami melon (Hami melon; Cucumis melo var. saccharinus): Hami melon is a special variety from Xinjiang, China. It is similar in appearance to cantaloupe, but the peel is yellow or green and has obvious longitudinal patterns. The flesh is orange or light yellow, with a delicate texture and sweet taste.

5. Jenny Lind (Cucumis melo 'Jenny Lind'): This is a small variety of musky melon, usually smaller than other varieties, with a reticulated skin, orange flesh, a crisp texture, and a sweet taste.