Difference between muskmelon and cantelope?

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edweather
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Difference between muskmelon and cantelope?

#1

Post: # 39364Unread post edweather
Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:10 pm

Can someone please point me in the right direction for a resource that simply describes the difference between a muskmelon and a cantaloupe. Thanks, Ed
Southeast GA, USDA 9a, HZ9, Sunset Z28

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Rockoe10
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Re: Difference between muskmelon and cantelope?

#2

Post: # 39368Unread post Rockoe10
Mon Jan 25, 2021 1:12 pm

Muskmelon is the higher classification of Cantaloupe. There are many melon varieties under the name muskmelon. Honeydew is a muskmelon.

I suppose you could look at it this way. What is the difference between a Tomato and a Roma? Roma is just a determinate plum tomato (in most cases)
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mikestuff49
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Re: Difference between muskmelon and cantelope?

#3

Post: # 39375Unread post mikestuff49
Mon Jan 25, 2021 2:03 pm

I think when I was a kid we grew "muskmelons", but I'm pretty sure they were cantaloupes. Maybe an Ozarks thing.
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pondgardener
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Re: Difference between muskmelon and cantelope?

#4

Post: # 39387Unread post pondgardener
Mon Jan 25, 2021 3:56 pm

[mention]edweather[/mention] Here is a link that has a picture of a muskmelon and cantaloupe.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mu ... cantaloupe
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peebee
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Re: Difference between muskmelon and cantelope?

#5

Post: # 39394Unread post peebee
Mon Jan 25, 2021 5:45 pm

What would be an example of European cantaloupe that is available here in the US?
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edweather
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Re: Difference between muskmelon and cantelope?

#6

Post: # 39402Unread post edweather
Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:02 pm

Thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated.
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Shule
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Re: Difference between muskmelon and cantelope?

#7

Post: # 39404Unread post Shule
Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:19 pm

It depends on the definitions you use. I like the definition that says muskmelon is entirely synonymous with Cucumis melo, and that cantaloupes are the sort of muskmelon breeds they call cantaloupe in the grocery store. True cantaloupes are breeds like Charentais, though, but in practice few people (in my area, anyhow) who know the word cantaloupe even know such as Charantais melons exist.

So, yeah, cantaloupes, honeydews, and many other melons are muskmelons. Some people have other definitions for muskmelon.
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