French Kiss Melons
Estimated Inventory, 12 ct : 0
Description/Taste
French Kiss® melons are a petite-sized melon with a thin netted rind. Their exterior resembles a cross between a Tuscan cantaloupe and a regular cantaloupe, with a much less pronounced striping than the typical Tuscan variety. When ripe, the rind turns golden beige with deep-green markings that run end to end. The orange flesh is succulent and dense surrounding a small tight central seed cavity. They are highly aromatic with notes of tropical fruit and a rich sweet musk. French Kiss® melons score thirteen to seventeen percent on the Brix scale, the commonly used method of measuring sweetness in fruits.
Seasons/Availability
French Kiss® melons are available spring through fall.
Current Facts
French Kiss® melons are a hybrid variety of the French Chantarais melon and a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Botanically of the species, Cucumis melo cantalupensis, they offer all the qualities of a cantaloupe with a more robust nature. They are a cross of a French Chantarais melon and a long shelf life western shipper melon, making the French Kiss® melon both sturdy and delicious.
Nutritional Value
Orange-fleshed melons provide an excellent source of beneficial beta-carotene and vitamins A and C.
Applications
Use French Kiss® melons similarly to cantaloupe. Puree diced cantaloupe with yogurt, honey, ginger and basil until combined and serve as a cold, sweet soup. Puree cantaloupe and fold into no-yeast bread batter, then bake until browned. Finely diced cantaloupe, red onion and green chile, add lime juice and chopped celery and serve as a fresh salsa. This melon's shelf life is twenty-eight days, about twice the normal shelf life of melons. The French Kiss® melon develops its peak flavor when its has been at room temperature one to three days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
It is claimed by food historians that the French were the first to cultivate netted melons. They referred to melons as "sucrins" which, fittingly, means "sugar".
Geography/History
French Kiss® melons are grown exclusively by Arizona-based melon grower, Sandstone Marketing. The French Kiss® melon's heritage can be traced to the Charentais region of France, the warmer climate of southern France which was the most favorable region for growing melons.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include French Kiss Melons. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Soup Chick |
|
Cantaloupe and Yogurt Soup with Ginger, Lime and Mint |
| Amanda's Cookin' |
|
Cantaloupe Quick Bread |
| Seasoned to Taste |
|
Cantaoupe Salsa |
