Charentais Melon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis)
A true French cantaloupe that originated in the Poitou-Charentes region near the town of Cavallion circa 1920. Considered by many to be the sweetest and most flavorful melon. It's rare to be able to enjoy a Charentais melon unless you or someone you know grows them because the skin is thinner than many melon varieties and they do not ship well.
Charentais is a smaller variety, generally about 2-3 lbs and about the size of a softball. The flesh tends to be a deeper orange than other melons and the intense aroma matches the amazing sweet flavor.
We like to eat Charentais with prosciutto but it's an outstanding melon any way you eat it. We recently had Charentais melon ice cream while visiting the grandparents in Nice and it has become our new favorite flavor!
Origin: A friend in Nice, France gave us the parent seed of the Charentais melons that she has grown in her gardens for the last thirty years. She was given the original seed by her father-in-law who was a farmer near Avignon, France.
(Approximately 20 seeds per packet)
Germination Rate: All of our seed varieties exceed 75% germination and are tested every 6 months.
Planting Instructions: Melons love heat. Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 6' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost.
