A member of the Cucurbitaceae family the Meloange melon is the product of cross-breeding between a sturdy American cantaloupe (C. melo reticulatus) and an heirloom European variety (C. melo cantalupensis). A cross which has yielded a new take on the small French heirloom melon. The major differences being its seasonal availability, exceptional sweetness and enhanced durability for travel.

The petite, melorange melon only measures about 4 inches in diameter and weighs between 2.5 and 3 pounds. Its rind is thin, with equally spaced dark green sutures running vertically over the rough netting typical of a muskmelon. Beneath the rind, the flesh is dark orange and very sweet and the seed cavity is small. Melorange melons have a Brix level (how they measure the amount of sugars in a fruit) between 12 and 14, making it one of the sweetest melons in North America.

Serving Ideas

Eat the melorange melon fresh, out-of-hand or enjoy it mixed with grapes, berries and other fruit for salads. The small size makes it easy for a nice snack or breakfast side. Remove the skin and puree the orange flesh for some melorange juice, which is both creamy and sweet with hints of orange. One melon can yield up to 12 ounces of juice. Puree and add to sauces, sorbets or cold soups. Once ripe melorange melon keeps best at room temperature. Cut melon will keep in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic for up to five days.

Geography/History

Created in the 1990s through cross-breeding in France the melorange was developed by Dominique Chambeyron, as a cross between an American cantaloupe and an heirloom French variety. After years of development and trials, the melorange melon was finally registered in the fall of 2007 and the name was trademarked by De Ruiter Seeds, a Dutch seed company. Primarily grown in Honduras and Guatemala, the sweet melons were planted in Arizona and California in the United States in 2011 to see how they would grow domestically. Melorange melons are now making a name for themselves at markets around the country.

Seasons/Availability

Melorange melons are available during the winter months and into the spring.