A member of the Cucurbitaceae family the ananas melon is an heirloom variety of muskmelon. The ananas melon is also known as Middle Eastern melon, Pineapple melon and in France as ananas D’Amerique a Chair Verte. In Italian and French the word “ananas” translates to mean “pineapple”, a nod to the sweet flavor and scent of the melon which is reminiscent of the tropical fruit. As a result of its short shelf life the ananas melon has never achieved success commercially but rather remains to be a sought after farmer’s market specialty melon.

The ananas melon has an oval shape and on average weighs between 3 and 5 lbs. Its exterior is covered in a yellow to tan skin and sandy hued netting that becomes increasingly pronounced as the melon reaches its peak of ripeness. Depending upon variety its interior flesh can vary from a creamy shade of white or green to pale orange in color. The flesh is juicy, tender and surrounds a narrow seed cavity. When ripe and at room temperature the ananas melon will have a sweet melon flavor and scent laced with nuances of pineapple.

Serving Ideas

The ananas melon is ideal used in fresh preparations, both sweet and savory. Puree and use to make smoothies, sauces, chilled soups and fillings for desserts. Add sliced to salads, both fruit and green or serve alongside robust cheeses to balance out their sweet flavor. Ananas melons pair well with cucumber, ginger, grape, watermelon, mint, strawberry, citrus and prosciutto. To store, keep whole melons at room temperature. Refrigerate cut melon up to three days.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

The ananas melon was used as part of a DNA study done in 2009 at Texas A&M. The study was conducted to map the melon gnome and hundreds of DNA markers. Using this map plant breeders hope to produce new melon varieties that are sweeter, disease resistant and drought tolerant.

Geography/History

The ananas melon is believed to be native to Africa. From Africa it made its way to France in 1777. Thomas Jefferson grew ananas melons at his estate, Monticello in 1794. The ananas melon was first featured in American seed catalogues in 1824 and was noted in M.M. Vilmorin-Andrieux’s famous book "The Vegetable Garden" in 1885. Today it is one of the more popular heirloom varieties of melon grown in the United States. The ananas melon is also grown today throughout the Middle East. Ananas melons grow on large, vigorous vines that can be grown on the ground or trellised. Like many muskmelon varieties the ananas melon is known to full or partial slip from its vine once ripe and ready for harvest.

Seasons/Availability

The ananas melon is available summer through the early fall.