Which type of cantaloupe is the best to eat

The taste preference of cantaloupe varies from person to person, but varieties with high sugar content and delicate flesh are usually more popular. Common high-quality Hami melon varieties include Xizhou honey, Donghu melon, Jiashi melon, Yellow River honey, Black Eyebrow, etc.

1. Xizhou honey

Xizhou honey melon has a greenish green skin with a mesh pattern, bright orange yellow flesh, and a sugar content of over 15 degrees. After maturity, the area near the fruit stalk will emit a rich fruity aroma, with fine and soft flesh without residue, abundant juice, and a better taste after refrigeration. The sweetness of Xizhou honey from Xinjiang production area is particularly prominent due to the large temperature difference between day and night.

2. Donghu Melon

Donghu Melon is produced in Minqin, Gansu Province, with a golden yellow skin and rough and clear mesh. The flesh is light green like jade, with a stable central sugar content of around 14 degrees, and a higher sweetness near the melon flesh. The characteristic is that the meat is crispy, tender and refreshing, with a unique milk aroma, suitable for people who like a crispy and sweet taste.

3. Jia Shi Gua

Jia Shi Gua is a late maturing variety with an elliptical fruit shape and a gray green skin covered with fine mesh patterns. The orange red flesh has very little fiber, and the sugar accumulation is slow, but it can eventually reach over 16 degrees. The characteristic is a rich and mellow sweetness without being greasy, with a slight floral fragrance in the aftertaste, strong storage and transportation resistance, and the sweetness will continue to increase after storage.

4. Yellow River Honey

The skin of the Yellow River honey melon is golden and smooth, and the flesh is white and translucent. The sugar content is about 13 degrees, with a moderate sweetness and a refreshing honey fragrance. The meat is between crispy and soft, with high juice content, suitable for juicing or making desserts. The Yellow River honey in Gansu production area is cultivated in sandy soil with abundant mineral content.

5. Black Eyebrow

The skin of Hami melon with black eyebrows is dark green, with obvious dark green stripes. The flesh is orange red, with a central sugar content of 14-15 degrees, and the part near the melon skin is slightly sour, forming a layered feeling. The meat is firm and chewy, suitable for slicing and consumption. The black eyebrows produced in Turpan, Xinjiang have a more abundant accumulation of flavor compounds due to their unique climatic conditions.

When selecting cantaloupe, you can observe whether the stem is fresh and concave. If there is a dull echo when lightly tapped, it indicates high maturity. There are slight differences in storage methods among different varieties. Xizhou honey and Jiashi melon are suitable for being stored at room temperature before ripening, while Donghu melon and Huanghe honey are recommended to be refrigerated. Eating around 200 grams per day can meet the demand for vitamin C. People with weak gastrointestinal function should avoid eating chilled cantaloupe on an empty stomach. When purchasing, prioritize products directly supplied from the place of origin and consume them as soon as possible after cutting to ensure the best flavor.