I’m sitting here trying to figure out how to introduce one of the very best cantaloupe varieties I’ve ever had when I know for a fact it isn’t actually a cantaloupe. I could just tell you about the best musk melon I’ve had, but for most people that won’t mean anything. So let me just say that what we call cantaloupes here in the US are not cantaloupes at all, they are musk melons. Cantaloupes are somewhat different and rarely found in the US, though I have one coming up for review in a few days.



I will admit that the name musk melon isn’t particularly appealing, even though I tend to like musky smelling fruit (concord grapes for example). But I’m not sure why we didn’t just name it something completely different instead of stealing a different type of melon’s name. So odd. Anyway, it doesn’t matter because this one goes by its variety name, which is French Baby Melon. Perfect. Makes me want to snatch it up immediately and snuggle it to my chest. Or my nose. Or whatever. I may have been cooing to it early today after I took a bite. I never claimed I wasn’t weird.

French Baby Melon

APPEARANCE Rating: ★★★½☆

Oblong melon about 5 inches long with tan netted skin and pale orange flesh. Yellow seeds.

AROMA Rating: ★★★★★

Sweet, rich and melony.

TEXTURE Rating: ★★★★★

Juicy, juicy, juicy with a nice soft dense texture that makes my spoon feel happy and successful at its job.

TASTE Rating: ★★★★★

Sweet with layers of flavor and complexity and a nice mellow balance of acidity.

OVERALL Overall Rating: ★★★★½

This melon is delicious. This is what I want every single melon I pick up at the grocery store to taste like. JUST. LIKE. THIS. I want to eat it, drink it, slurp it, leave it dripping from my chin, etc.

OTHER NOTES

If you want to look at gorgeous photos of melons and learn about all different unique types (including lots of fun watermelons, real cantaloupes and musk melons), I highly recommend the book, Melons for the Passionate Grower by Amy Goldman although it’s out of print so even the used ones look to be +$60. Or you can just look through it online here.

FRUIT
Melon
PEAK
Summer
PROVIDED BY
Specialty Produce
VARIETY
French Baby
GROWN
Weiser Family Farm
California