Description

Melon, Charantais

Melons are native to the continent of Africa. Many wild forms of melons and watermelons can still be found there today. Though it is not known when melons were first cultivated, it is believed that prehistoric man may have gathered and saved the seeds of the sweetest melons, and this practice lead to cultivation. Seeds and wall paintings found in Egyptian tombs indicate that melons and watermelons were under cultivation in Egypt at least 4000 years ago. Melons were introduced into Asia about 3000 years ago. The melon became immensely popular in the region that includes Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, India, south and central Russia, China and Japan. The Greeks and Romans most likely introduced the melon into Europe. Columbus brought melons to the New World on his second voyage, and by 1494 melons were under cultivation in Haiti. By the 16th century, melons and watermelons were being cultivated through out North and South America.

Surprisingly, in America we do not grow many cantaloupes. We incorrectly call muskmelons cantaloupes. Canteloupes are quite common in Europe especially France where they have been cultivated since the 1400s. Canteloupes are primarily round in shape with prominent ribs and almost no netting. Most cantaloupes have orange flesh. The flesh is usually very sweet and the melons are usually very fragrant.