Rocky Ford melons are available mid-July to mid-September. For more information, visit rocky-ford-growers-association.mandccommunications.com/. The Pueblo Chile Growers Association started in 2015 to go head-to-head with the more-famous Hatch chiles grown in New Mexico.
Why are Rocky Ford cantaloupes so good?
“We average over 100 degrees during the day (it can even get up to 110), and then in the evenings it’s 55 to 60 degrees, so that difference in the temperature creates more of the natural sugars in all the melons,” she says. “That’s what makes them so sweet.”
What is Rocky Ford cantaloupe?
Rocky Ford Melon is an heirloom cantaloupe variety with sugary, rich green flesh. Melons average 2-3 lbs and 5″ diameter.
Where do Rocky Ford cantaloupes come from?
The Rocky Ford region of Colorado is famous for its cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew melons. The hot days and cool nights along the Arkansas River stimulate the sugars in the melons, according to the RFGA.
When can you buy Rocky Ford cantaloupe? – Related Questions
Are Rocky Ford cantaloupes in season?
Typically, Rocky Ford Cantaloupes are harvested in Early July for local farmers market availability and will continue to be picked until late September.
Is there a difference between cantaloupe and muskmelon?
Muskmelon is a species that belongs to the gourd family. Cantaloupe refers to two varieties of muskmelon, which differ slightly in terms of flavor and appearance but share a similar set of nutrients and health benefits.
How did Rocky Ford Colorado get its name?
When famous explorer Kit Carson crossed the Arkansas River, he named the area Rocky Ford because it was, well, rocky. A few years later more men followed the same path to the area and decided they liked it so much they started a general store in 1871.
Does cantaloupe grow in Colorado?
Seasonality. Colorado grown cantaloupes are available August through October and cantaloupes are sold in many grocery stores year round.
How long does it take Hales best cantaloupe to mature?
Hale’s Best PMR Cantaloupe is an heirloom cantaloupe variety that is almost 100% resistant to powdery-mildew. Fruits average 4lbs and have delicious orange flesh. Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis. 85 days to maturity.
What is Athena melon?
An Athena Melon is a type of muskmelon that has a longer ripening period than most varieties so the melon remains firm and sweet without becoming soft. The Athena, with its netted skin and orange interior fruit, closely resembles a cantaloupe in appearance.
What is a kiss cantaloupe?
A melon so sweet it’s called “Sugar Kiss” — and that’s no exaggeration. The cotton candy of melons, the soft orange center will melt on your tongue, bursting with rich, cantaloupe flavor.
How do you pick out good cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is a seasonal fruit and warm spring weather brings the right time to start purchasing cantaloupe. To select a ripe cantaloupe, look for tan cantaloupe with light green lines across it, and avoid choosing melons with brown or soft spots. The melon should be firm but not too soft or too hard.
What is honey rock melon?
Honey Rock Cantaloupe is an open-pollinated, heirloom cantaloupe variety that was introduced in 1925. Also known as “sugar rock,” Honey Rock Cantaloupe was an AAS winner in 1933 for its sweet, delicious flavor. Fruits average 3-4 lbs with a gray exterior and a mouth-watering, salmon-orange flesh.
What cantaloupe is the sweetest?
- Sugar Cube.
- Honey Rock.
- El Gordo.
- Hannah’s Choice.
- Ambrosia.
- Halona.
- Sarah’s Choice.
- Other Super Sweet Muskmelon/Cantaloupe Varieties.
What are the best cantaloupes?
11 of the Best Cantaloupe Cultivars
- Charentais.
- El Gordo Hybrid.
- Hearts of Gold.
- Olympic Express Hybrid.
- Planters Jumbo.
- Sarah’s Choice Hybrid.
- Top Mark.
- Zena.
Are rock melons and cantaloupe the same?
Yes, in America and Australia the term Rockmelon and Cantaloupe are used interchangeably to describe the Melon.
What is rockmelon called in the US?
The cantaloupe, rockmelon (Australia and New Zealand, although cantaloupe is used in some states of Australia), sweet melon, or spanspek (Southern Africa) is a melon that is a variety of the muskmelon species (Cucumis melo) from the family Cucurbitaceae.
Why do Americans call a rockmelon a cantaloupe?
“I just found out that Americans call a rockmelon a cantaloupe,” Liu said in the video. “OK, it’s a melon that’s shaped like a rock [and] looks like a rock. It just makes sense.” As it turns out, cantaloupes have a variety of different names.
Where do the best cantaloupes come from?
Other states that produce cantaloupe commercially in limited volume include Texas, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. In our opinion, of course, the best place to grow cantaloupe is sunny California.
What is the best tasting melon?
‘Amy’ canary melons are sweet with a firm texture.
- ‘Papaya Dew’
- ‘Piel de Sapo’
- ‘Rocky Ford Green Flesh’
- ‘Canary Yellow’
- ‘Crenshaw’
- ‘Golden Beauty’
- ‘Honeydew Green Flesh’
- ‘Honeydew Orange’ ‘Honeydew Orange’ is incredibly sweet, with a 13-degree Brix rating.