[Sca-cooks] Earth Apples?

[Terry Decker]

Sort of.

The problem here is using common names rather than scientific names. 
Muskmelon is a generic term for variants of the Reticulatus group, most 
prominent of which is C. melo reticulatus.  Cantaloupe is C. melo 
cantalupensis.  Some sources (including the USDA) state that C. melo 
reticulatus and C. melo cantalupensis are synonyms, which leaves the 
question of whether they are truly different variants open.  Cantaloupe may 
or may not belong in the Reticulatus group.

True cantaloupes are smaller than muskmelons and have a blue gray tinge 
behind the brown netting.  The key difference is muskmelons can be "slipped" 
or removed from the vine with a thumb when the are ripe; cantaloupes are 
ripe when the leaves and tendril closest to the melon change and must be cut 
from the vine.

Size, ease of harvesting, and a neat marketing name beats scientific 
nomenclature, doncha know.  Which is why Alton's "fact" is probably true.

Bear

> On a recent (new) good eats about melon Alton Brown said that the vast
> majority of Americans have never eaten a true canteloupe and that the
> menlons sold as canteloupe in the United States are actually Musk
> Melons.
>
> Glad Tidings,
> Serena da Riva