Charentais' melons aren't found in your grocery store because they're too fragile to ship. A true cantaloupe, the 1 ½–2-pound fruits have smooth skin with light green stripes, maturing to creamy yellow. The delightfully scented, creamy orange flesh is filled with unsurpassed flavor. One of the sweetest rewards of home gardening!
Days to Maturity: 90 days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Type: Cantaloupe
Native: Africa, Asia, Australia, West Pacific Islands
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 4'–5' sprawling vines.
Variety Info: Charentais' is about 1½ pounds, and the size of a small grapefruit. The skin is smooth and light green, with bands of darker green from the stem to the bottom. 'Charentais' is a type of true cantaloupe bred in France around 1920. It has deep orange flesh and a spicy, delicate aroma. The fruits' tender fragility makes shipping difficult; this is why we don't see them in the local grocery stores.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive
