There are millions of melons out there right now at the Chico Certified Farmers’ Market! Okay, maybe not millions, but there are quite a few varieties, each with its own unique flavor and appeal. And nothing says summer quite like a cool, sweet, and juicy slice of melon.

Melons are part of the same family as cucumbers and squash, which are all members of the gourd family. They need lots of heat and sunshine to grow, and are at their best in summer when they are sweetest and most nutrient rich. Indeed they are tasty, but they’re also great for you! Melons are low in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol. They’re a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin K, potassium, and a very good source of vitamin C.

Read on for a guide to choosing the perfect melon, some info on varieties, and ideas on how to get the most out of your melon. There are a menagerie of melons awaiting for you to discover this Saturday at the Chico Certified Farmers’ Market, so come down this Saturday, support your local farmers, and go a little melon crazy!

A Short, Easy Guide

How to Choose
While melons often have smooth skin, they can also be reticulated, meaning they are covered with grey, raised netting on the rind. For netted melons, like cantaloupe, choose ones that smell sweet and give slightly to pressure. Smooth-skinned melons such as honeydew do not give off their aroma until they’ve been cut open. Look for ones that are heavy for their size and give to pressure at the stem end. Also, look at the stem scar. A smooth, hollowed scar indicates that the melon was harvested ripe. If a piece of the stem remains, it may have been harvested too early. Fun fact: Market melons are guaranteed to the be the sweetest since they don’t have too travel far, because the longer a melon ripens on the vine, the sweeter it will be!

How to Store
Ripe melons can be kept at room temperature for several days. Store cut melon in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in a sealed container.

How to Prepare
Slice the melon in half and scoop out the seeds with a large spoon. Peel off the tough outer skin and cut as needed. Eat it right up as is, or make something delicious!

Find These Melons!

In peak summer, you’ll find more variety at the farmers market than you will at most grocery stores. Look for some of these this Saturday!

Watermelon – The epitome of summertime! Dark and light green stripped with sweet and refreshing red or pink flesh.

Yellow Watermelon – Looks like a traditional watermelon but sweet, yellow flesh inside.

Cantaloupe – Floral, sweet, and juicy with orange flesh and reticulated rind.

Honeydew – Pale green flesh that is sweet and juicy with smooth green to yellow rind.

Ambrosia – A melon hybrid often confused with the cantaloupe, with pale orange flesh that is very sweet, tender, and flavorful.

Santa Claus – Also called a Christmas Melon, it is large with mottled green and yellow stripped skin (kind of a camouflage pattern) with light green flesh. Not as sweet as many other melons.

Casaba – Pale to bright yellow with deep ridges with sweet, white flesh.

Crenshaw – Yellow with pink and green tinges on the skin, feels waxy to the touch until very ripe, usually with a bit of a point at the stem end.

Canary – Yellow and football shaped with light green or white flesh, sometimes tinged with pink.