MAG.nificent® Melons
Estimated Inventory, 9 ct : 0
Description/Taste
MAG.nificent® melons are a small to medium-sized varietal with a round, oblong, to oval shape. The melon’s rind is thin, tough, and firm with a golden base hue, covered in a raised and rough, tan netting. Underneath the rind, the flesh is thick, dense, aqueous, and bright orange with a tender and succulent consistency. The melon is also known for having a greater flesh-to-seed ratio, encasing a small central seed cavity filled with ivory, oval seeds. MAG.nificent® melons emit a honeyed, floral, and musky aroma when ripe and have high sugar content, contributing to the variety’s concentrated and exceptionally sweet, floral, and subtly fruity flavor.
Seasons/Availability
MAG.nificent® melons are grown in the United States and Central America for year-round availability.
Current Facts
MAG.nificent® melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melo var. reticulatus, are a specialty melon variety belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Del Monte Produce exclusively produces the golden cantaloupes, and the melons are sold as a high-quality cultivar in commercial markets. MAG.nificent® melons are also known as MAG® melons, and the proprietary variety was created to meet consumer demand for a melon with a consistent aroma, texture, and flavor. MAG.nificent® melons are sweeter than common cantaloupes and are grown under strict regulations to maintain the flesh’s taste and consistency. The melons are grown in North and Central America for year-round availability, and the melons have a sweet, subtly floral flavor well suited for a variety of fresh and cooked preparations.
Nutritional Value
MAG.nificent® melons are an excellent source of dietary fiber to regulate and cleanse the digestive tract and vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning. The melons also provide potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, vitamin C to reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system, and beta-carotene, the orange pigment found within the flesh that provides antioxidant-like properties to protect the cells against free radical damage.
Applications
MAG.nificent® melons have a sweet, subtly floral, and fruity flavor well suited for fresh and lightly cooked preparations. The melons should be washed before cutting to remove impurities and bacteria, and once opened, the flesh can be scooped out, discarding the seeds and fibers. MAG.nificent® melons can be consumed straight, out of hand, tossed into salads, displayed on appetizer plates, or cubed and mixed into fruit bowls. The melons also complement sweet and savory dishes, and the flesh can be halved and served as an edible bowl with tropical fruit, grains, cereal, or yogurt. MAG.nificent® melons can be blended and frozen into popsicles, sorbet, and ice cream, chopped into salsa or chutney or pureed into agua frescas, cocktails, and smoothies. In addition to fresh preparations, the melons can be wrapped in prosciutto and grilled, baked into cakes and tea loaves, or lightly roasted and served with cooked meats. MAG.nificent® melons pair well with cheeses such as feta, goat, and mozzarella, fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, and coconut, herbs including cilantro, basil, and mint, arugula, cucumber, avocado, tomato, and almonds. Whole, unwashed MAG.nificent® melons should be ripened at room temperature and will keep up to one week after fully maturing. Once sliced, the flesh should be wrapped in plastic or stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
MAG.nificent® melons were developed in partnership with Nunhems, a renowned international seed company. Nunhems focuses on seed research and innovation, creating hybrid seeds to promote business growth, consumer satisfaction, and company profitability. The collaboration between Del Monte Produce and Nunhems provided years of research for the partnership to eventually create MAG.nificent® melons. Del Monte Produce released MAG.nificent® melons in 2011 under the name MAG® melons, but in 2021, they relaunched and rebranded the melons under their full name. The relaunch campaign highlighted that every MAG.nificent® melon sold at retail locations has quality flavor, texture, and aroma. Consumers do not need to search through the melon pile, handling all the melons in the process, for the best fruit. The marketing campaign also promotes that the melons contain a higher vitamin A content, and the flesh has a sweeter taste than conventional cantaloupe varieties.
Geography/History
MAG.nificent® melons were created by Del Monte Fresh Produce, an international distributor, marketer, and producer of fruits and vegetables, first established in 1892. The proprietary melon variety was released commercially in 2011 and was the product of years of research to meet consumer demand. MAG.nificent® melons have a short growing cycle and thrive in moderate to warm climates that are rarely prone to frost and freeze. Today MAG.nificent® melons are grown seasonally in California and Arizona and are also cultivated in Central America, including Costa Rica and Guatemala. The melons are sold fresh through partners of Del Monte Fresh Produce.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include MAG.nificent® Melons. One
is easiest, three is harder.
