The baby french melon is the hybrid result of crossing an Anana melon with a Charentais melon. A member of the Cucurbitaceae family the baby french melon is a true muskmelon type, a cultivator group of melons in the muskmelon group that are well known for their netted exterior skin and sweet musky aroma. In America the baby french melon, as well as other similar netted melon types are often mistakenly classified as cantaloupes commercially when in reality botanically they are actually muskmelons.

Baby french melons are distinguished by their petit size, their textured thin-skinned pale golden rind and their high sugar content. The coral orange flesh is perfumed with tropical fruit and floral aromatics, its texture tender firm and succulent. When perfectly ripe the fruit's flesh produces juice with a syrup-like consistency which contributes to its confectionery sweet flavors. The fruit bears a small tight central seed cavity. Fruits weigh an average of one to two pounds. Baby french melons will continue to ripen off of the vine.

Serving Ideas

Baby french melons can be used in fresh or raw preparations, both sweet and savory. They are not well-suited for cooking. They can be used as a breakfast fruit, as a salad ingredient or pureed into a chilled summer soup. They also make a great addition to both drinks and desserts. Baby french melons pair well with stone fruit, figs, feta and goat cheeses, almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts, fresh herbs such as arugula, mint and basil, citrus and cured pork such as proscuitto and pancetta. They can always be used as a substitute in recipes where muskmelon or cantaloupe is called for. Once ripe, keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Geography/History

Baby french melons' heritage can be traced to the Charentais region of France, where the warmer climate of southern France is one of the most favorable regions for growing melons. It has been documented that the French were the first to cultivate netted melons. They referred to melons as "sucrins" which, fittingly, means "sugar". The Charentais was developed as a refined muskmelon, free of natural and highly occurring blemishes and warts of its parent varieties. The baby french melon inherited these attributes, thus it readily withstands nature's elements and the potentially taxing damage of shipping from farm to market. Baby french melons yield best harvests in warm Mediterranean climates during hot dry summer months.

Seasons/Availability

Baby french melons are available during the summer.