Cantaloupe

"Rockmelon" redirects here. For the band, see Rockmelons. For other uses, see Cantaloupe (disambiguation).

The cantaloupe (/ˈkæntəloʊp/ KAN-tə-lohp or /ˈkæntəluːp/ KAN-tə-loop) is a type of true melon (Cucumis melo) with sweet, aromatic, and usually orange flesh. Originally, cantaloup referred to the true cantaloupe or European cantaloupe with non- to slightly netted and often ribbed rind. Today, it also refers to the muskmelon with strongly netted rind,^[1] which is called cantaloupe in North America (hence the name American cantaloupe), rockmelon in Australia and New Zealand, and spanspek in Southern Africa. Cantaloupes range in mass from 0.5 to 5 kilograms (1 to 11 lb).

Cantaloupe
European cantaloupe (true cantaloupe)
Genus	Cucumis
Species	C. melo
Subspecies	C. melo subsp. melo
Cultivar group	Cantalupensis Group (incorporating Reticulatus Group[1])

American Western cantaloupe (muskmelon)

Cantaloupe, raw

American Eastern cantaloupe and its cross-section
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	141 kJ (34 kcal)
Carbohydrates	8.16 g
Sugars	7.86 g
Dietary fiber	0.9 g
Fat	0.18 g
Protein	0.82 g
Vitamins and minerals Vitamins Quantity %DV† Vitamin A equiv. beta-Carotene lutein zeaxanthin 26% 232 μg 26% 2780 μg 32 μg Thiamine (B1) 4% 0.049 mg Riboflavin (B2) 2% 0.027 mg Niacin (B3) 4% 0.694 mg Pantothenic acid (B5) 2% 0.085 mg Vitamin B6 2% 0.04 mg Folate (B9) 4% 14 μg Vitamin C 12% 10.9 mg Vitamin K 2% 2.7 μg Minerals Quantity %DV† Calcium 1% 9 mg Iron 2% 0.38 mg Magnesium 3% 13 mg Manganese 2% 0.046 mg Phosphorus 1% 17 mg Potassium 5% 157 mg Sodium 1% 30 mg Zinc 4% 0.44 mg
Other constituents	Quantity
Water	90.2 g
Full Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[2] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies[3]

Etymology and origin

The cantaloupe most likely originated in a region from South Asia to Africa.^[4] According to New Entry, a Tufts University organization, "Cantaloupes were cultivated in Egypt and migrated across to Iran and Northwest India dating as far back to Biblical times, about 2400 BC"^[5]

The cantaloupe is said to have been introduced to Europe from Armenia. It acquired its modern European name due to its cultivation at the Papal country estate of Cantalupo.^[6] It was first mentioned in English literature in 1739.^[4] It later became a commercial crop in the United States c.1890 C.E.^[4]

The South African English name spanspek dates back at least as far as 18th-century Dutch Suriname: J. van Donselaar wrote in 1770, "Spaansch-spek is the name for the form that grows in Suriname which, because of its thick skin and little flesh, is less consumed."^[7] A common etymology involves the Spanish-born Juana María de los Dolores de León Smith, who ate cantaloupe for breakfast while her husband and 19th-century governor of Cape Colony, Sir Harry Smith, ate bacon and eggs; the fruit was termed Spanish bacon (Afrikaans Spaanse spek) by locals as a result.^[8][9] However, the term had been in use long before that point.^{[citation needed]}

Types

The true or European cantaloupe (Cantalupensis Group sensu stricto), which has non- to slightly netted rind and orange flesh, includes the following types:^[1]

• Sub-group Prescott with deeply ribbed rind, such as 'Prescott Fond Blanc'.
• Sub-group Saccharinu with speckled and slightly ribbed rind, such as 'Sucrin de Honfleur'
• Sub-group Charentais with non-speckled, slightly ribbed and green-sutured rind.

The Israeli cantaloupe (Sub-group Ha'Ogen) is similar to the European one, but it has green flesh.^[1]

The muskmelon or American cantaloupe (formerly Reticulatus Group but now merged into Cantalupensis Group), which has strongly netted rind and orange flesh, includes the following types:^[1]

• Sub-group American Western with non- to slightly ribbed and wholly netted rind.
• Sub-group American Eastern with more or less ribbed rind of which the sutures are not or less netted.

Some sources also include Tuscan melons among American cantaloupes.^[10] These Tuscan-type melons have smaller seed cavities like American western varieties but also have ribs like American eastern varieties. Tuscan melons have noticeably different flavor, potentially due to higher production of ester compounds in these varieties.^[11]

Other similar types

A melon with netted rind is not necessarily a cantaloupe. Many varieties of Chandalak Group and Ameri Group also have netted rind.^[1]

The Japanese muskmelon (Sub-group Earl's) resembles the American cantaloupe in netted rind, but differs in green flesh and non-dehiscent peduncles. Therefore, some horticulturists classify the Japanese muskmelon under Inodorus Group instead of Cantalupensis or Reticulatus Group.^[1]

Production

In 2016, global production of melons, including cantaloupes, totaled 31.2 million tons, with China accounting for 51% of the world total (15.9 million tons).^[12] Other significant countries growing cantaloupe were Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and India producing 1 to 1.9 million tons, respectively.^[12]

California grows 75% of the cantaloupes in the US.^[13]

Uses

Culinary

Cantaloupe is normally eaten as a fresh fruit, as a salad, or as a dessert with ice cream or custard. Melon pieces wrapped in prosciutto are a familiar antipasto. The seeds are edible and may be dried for use as a snack.

Because the surface of a cantaloupe can contain harmful bacteria—in particular, Salmonella^[14]—it is recommended that a melon be washed and scrubbed thoroughly before cutting and consumption to prevent risk of Salmonella or other bacterial pathogens.^[15]

A moldy cantaloupe in a Peoria, Illinois, market in 1943 was found to contain the highest yielding strain of mold for penicillin production, after a worldwide search.^[16][17]

Nutrition

Raw cantaloupe is 90% water, 8% carbohydrates, 0.8% protein and 0.2% fat (table). In a reference amount of 100 grams (3.5 oz), raw cantaloupe supplies 140 kJ (34 kcal) of food energy, and is a rich source (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of vitamin A (29% DV) and a moderate source of vitamin C (13% DV). Other micronutrients are in negligible amounts (less than 10% DV) (table).

See also

• Melon
• Watermelon
• Honeydew