topic Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer? in Kitchen

Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

ECBG — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 03:58:35 GMT

I grew up watching one of my grandmothers eat a half of a cantaloupe as though the half formed a bowl! I remember going to the other grandmother's and it was sliced on a plate.

Having my own home, I like western cantaloupe with the small netting more than eastern cantaloupe which has larger netting and appears to have "cutting lines" in the skin. It seems to me that western cantaloupe has more flavor and is less watery.

Do you have a preferance?

Western Cantaloupe

Eastern Cantaloupe

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

sandraskates — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 04:01:36 GMT

I have been buying what they call Tuscan melons and I find them to be wonderful. From your photo they look Eastern-style.

But I enjoy both kinds and this year have yet to eat one bad one. Must be a good year for the cantaloupes!

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

Sooner — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 04:21:08 GMT

I don't really have a choice, so I just get what is available and looks good!

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

OnlyShopsOnline — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 06:21:08 GMT

Definitely Western Cantaloupe.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

Desertdi — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 06:37:16 GMT

A "half" with the cavity filled with vanilla ice cream................

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

qualitygal — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 08:32:17 GMT

I love cantaloupe, just cut it up and I'm there!!

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

ID2 — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 10:27:37 GMT

Michigan cantaloupe! They are absolutely scrumptious! Mmmm!

...

debic — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 12:33:54 GMT

Whatever the store has. That goes for about any kind of melon. Love them all.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

wagirl — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 15:51:50 GMT

I love them all--especially when I just happen to pick a really good. It's hit or miss on that front for me. Don't have a clue as how to be assured of a good each time. However, if I get one that is blah tasting, I whirl it up in my Vitamix, then pour it into ice cube trays to freeze for my a.m. smoothies.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

Kachina624 — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 17:34:48 GMT

The Pecos, Texas 'loupes are mighty good. It's hot, dry and flat there in far SW part of the state. Also those from Presidio, Texas are wonderful but their agricultural area is not large and its out in the middle of nowhere.

I used to go to Pecos on business and I'd stop at one of the packing houses and buy them for 10 cents apiece. I'd give them to people in my office then try to get the smell out of my car.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

PhilaLady1 — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 17:49:55 GMT

I live in Southeastern Pennsylvania, about 75 miles from the closest Atlantic Ocean shoreline, and I can not recall the last time I have seen the 'stripey' Eastern Cantaloupe in any store. I mean, in many years.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

jlkz — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 18:07:01 GMT

Just finished lunch: a bowl of cut up Cranshaw melon. Like it better than cantaloupes. Got it yesterday at a local farmer's market.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

ValuSkr — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 18:11:19 GMT

I prefer the small net ones. They were grown locally and it's all we ever had growing up in Western New York State. We called them muskmelon.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

chickenbutt — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 20:37:11 GMT

We only see the top one here, so I don't know what those smaller ones are like.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

okaywitheasypay — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 21:40:27 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
I love them all--especially when I just happen to pick a really good. It's hit or miss on that front for me. Don't have a clue as how to be assured of a good each time. However, if I get one that is blah tasting, I whirl it up in my Vitamix, then pour it into ice cube trays to freeze for my a.m. smoothies.

ITA @wagirl , I sort of find it just depends whether the Produce gods have smiled on me that day . I have followed all the hints and rules that I have seen and heard as to how to choose--sometimes it works -- sometimes not Blah does blend into submission when whirled in a blender with sweetner for a smoothee or sorbet.

I live in a large city so have access to just about every kind and have bought both types mentioned. The best this time of year are from the southern part of the state called muskmelon .

Early in the season I purchased one that a produce employee recommended that I had never heard of before -- Hami . It is oblong and the first one I purchased was very sweet and had more of a texture to it. I never could find another lately.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

poppinfresh — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 22:37:53 GMT

I don't know if the melons we buy are "eastern", they are called tuscan melons in our stores, and I absolutely love them. Have never bought a bad one yet.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

ECBG — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 22:48:06 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
I love them all--especially when I just happen to pick a really good. It's hit or miss on that front for me. Don't have a clue as how to be assured of a good each time. However, if I get one that is blah tasting, I whirl it up in my Vitamix, then pour it into ice cube trays to freeze for my a.m. smoothies.

@wagirlI taught Foods and Advanced Foods. The best time to buy cantaloupe (or most fruits for that matter) is when you walk into produce you can smell them.

To find a ripe cantaloupe, press your thumb into the stem in. The softness indicates the ripeness. Generally, I leave cantaloupes on my counter top to develop ripeness and better flavor for about four days to five. It depends on the softness you prefer. I don't want mush nor do I like rock hard because the sugar hasn't developed.

This is one of the fruits that doesn't best ripen in a brown paper bag to develop the sugar.

Also, pineapple is a fruit that stops ripening when it is picked. I have found Dole to have the most flavor if I'm not buying fresh.

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

ECBG — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 22:50:51 GMT

@jlkz wrote:
Just finished lunch: a bowl of cut up Cranshaw melon. Like it better than cantaloupes. Got it yesterday at a local farmer's market.

@jlkzI'd like to try that. I'm in NC. Where are you?

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

greamy — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 22:57:48 GMT

The best cantaloupe we ever have are from Maryland's eastern shore, they are just delicious!

Re: Which Cantaloupe Do You Prefer?

jlkz — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 23:24:47 GMT

@ECBG