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Charentais Smooth Melon Seeds
New product
[Cucumis melo 'Charentais'] French smooth-skinned melon seeds, prized for their intense aroma and very sweet orange flesh — ideal for gourmet fresh consumption.
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More info
- Charentais Smooth Melon
- The Charentais Melon Plant
- How to Sow Charentais Melon
- How to Grow Charentais Melon
- Tips for Charentais Melon
- Diseases and Pests of Charentais Melon
- Uses and Curiosities of Charentais Melon
- Properties of Charentais Melon
- Nutritional Values of Charentais Melon
Charentais Smooth Melon
The Charentais smooth melon, originating from France, is considered one of the most aromatic and prized melons. It has an early plant of medium vigour, with good fruit-setting capacity. The fruits are smooth and medium-sized, with grey-green skin free of marked netting and intensely fragrant, very sweet orange flesh.
The Charentais Melon Plant
Cucumis melo 'Charentais' belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is an annual herbaceous plant with thin creeping stems and branched tendrils, of moderate vigour but with excellent fruit-setting capacity. The fruits generally weigh 1-1.3 kg, with smooth grey-green skin that tends to lighten at ripeness, and salmon-orange flesh, particularly aromatic and rich in sugars.
How to Sow Charentais Melon
Sowing takes place from March to April in a protected seedbed, or directly in the field from May in warmer areas. Seeds should be buried about 2-3 centimetres deep. Germination occurs in 6-8 days at optimal temperatures of 25°C. Being an early variety, harvesting already takes place 70-80 days after sowing.
How to Grow Charentais Melon
Charentais melon prefers fertile, loose, well-draining soil, in a sunny, sheltered position. Watering should be regular during the growth phase, decreasing towards ripening to enhance the flesh's characteristic aroma. The plant is also suitable for tunnel or greenhouse cultivation to bring forward production.
Tips for Charentais Melon
Being a particularly delicate fruit, Charentais melon reaches its best organoleptic qualities when consumed shortly after harvest. Full ripeness is recognised by the characteristic intense fragrance it gives off and the slight loosening of the stem. It is not suited to long storage, being intended for quick, fresh consumption.
Diseases and Pests of Charentais Melon
Charentais melon can be subject to powdery mildew and downy mildew in conditions of high humidity, as well as Fusarium wilt in inadequately rotated soils. Aphids and whiteflies are the most common pests. Being a thin-skinned variety, it should be monitored with particular care during periods of higher environmental humidity.
Uses and Curiosities of Charentais Melon
Thanks to its intense aroma, Charentais melon is often served simply in slices to highlight its natural flavour, but it is also excellent in desserts, mousses and artisan ice cream. In Italy it is widely grown especially in Lazio and Sicily, where it is commonly nicknamed "francesino" for its transalpine origin.
Properties of Charentais Melon
Composed of about 90% water, Charentais melon is a highly hydrating and refreshing fruit. It is rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, powerful natural antioxidants. Its intense aroma is due to a high concentration of volatile compounds that make it one of the most fragrant varieties.
Nutritional Values of Charentais Melon
Per 100 grams of flesh, Charentais melon provides about 34 kcal, 0.8 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates (of which sugars about 8 g), 0.2 g fat and 0.8 g fibre. It also contains good amounts of vitamin C (about 30 mg) and potassium (about 270 mg), making it a light fruit rich in micronutrients.