5 Magnificent Melons for Summertime Menus

It’s almost summer, and we invite you to join in on the melon madness! Try one or try them all, we are offering 5 unique varieties of melon that will spice up your kitchen and bring amazing flavors to any dish. These are 5 melons we think you’d love:  

Canary

Growing on plants that stand approximately 2 feet tall, with vines up to 10 feet long, the Canary melon is tangy and mildly sweet in flavor. A waxy, bright yellow rind, which its name originates from, gives way to a succulent, pale ivory flesh inside. It has a slight musky aroma, with hints of banana and pineapple. Canary melons are thought to be of Persian decent, although they do in fact grow on the Canary Islands, which offer agreeable growing conditions.

Premier Pairing: The Canary melon pairs well with honey, ginger and citrus. It does great in cold soups and salads, as well as in dishes with basil and mint.

Orange Flesh

Named after its salmon hued flesh, the Orange Flesh melon has a rounded oval shape, and when ripe possesses a white, pale-yellow skin color.  It has a firm, yet juicy texture and offers a sweet, honey melon flavor. Orange Flesh melons will continue to ripen after being picked from the vine – different from many other varieties.  

Premier Pairing:  This melon pairs great with feta and goat cheeses, as well as hazelnuts, blueberries, and citrus. It can be used fresh in smoothies, or as a fun addition to any fruit salad. 

Hami

Hami melons are unique because they are much larger than normal melons, so much so that they are on the sizing scale of a watermelon. They are hard melons with lightly netted skin that is golden-yellow in color. Hami melons have a pale-coral flesh and a very sweet taste, plus a sweet and floral aroma.  

Premier Pairing: The Hami pairs well with curry, chilies, and feta or cottage cheese. It has also been added to carbonated beverages to add a sweet taste, or even dried into strips for a snack.

Galia

The Galia melon is known for its signature spicy, sweet flavor. A pale green interior is covered by a yellow orange rind with tan netting. The more orange the color of the rind, the more sugar content is said to be present. Ripeness is also evident by the deepness of the orange color, as well as by a musky, tropical aroma. The Galia melon was developed by a melon breeder in Israel and is named after his daughter.

Premier Pairing: This melon is best consumed fresh. It pairs well with both sweet and savory flavors, like garlic, chili, honey, and peanuts. It is good in seafood dishes, as well as alongside soft cheeses.

Santa Claus

The Santa Claus melon boasts the shape of a football. It is mildly sweet in flavor and has very little fragrance due to its thick shell. Its thick, wrinkled rind is what gives it its name, allowing it to have a long shelf life, often lasting well until Christmas time. Varying in color between yellow and green, the riper the melon, the brighter yellow its outside will be. You can also tell the ripeness by pressing on the ends of the melon. One side will yield to gentle pressure when ripe. Native to Turkey, this melon thrives in warm climates.

Premier Pairing: The Santa Claus melon is great for smoothies, sorbets and cocktails. You can also pair it with cured meats, creamy cheeses, olive oil, cilantro and tomatoes.

There are so many great options to choose from, but we made sure you don’t have to! We are now offering all 5 of these varieties in one box – The Mixed Melon Box. Melons come in many different shapes, sizes, flavors and textures, and our selection is proof. There’s no better way to kick off summer than to experiment with ALL of these wild flavors and the Mixed Melon Box is the perfect way to do it. Tag us on social media @premierproduceone and let us know which melon is your favorite! 

Written by Marianna Marchenko & Michaela Dornack