Charentais melon is a French melon dating back to the early 1920s. Also known as Cavaillon melon, this refined cantaloupe features smooth skins, a near perfectly round shape and a silky-smooth flesh that bursts forth with a heavenly sweet aroma. In France, the gourmet melons long been revered and are often found in markets wrapped carefully in tissue paper to protect their delicate rinds. While they are seldom found in American stores, you too can experience their exquisite flavor by growing your own Charentais melons to harvest and enjoy at peak maturity. Growing Charentais melons couldn't be easier. Simply sow the seeds, water regularly, and watch carefully for the beautiful melons to mature. Timing your Charentais melon harvest is the biggest challenge to growing them. We like to harvest Charentais cantaloupe a little early, when the rinds are still a bit blue and the vines are just beginning to slip. We've found that they are sensitive to fluctuations in moisture at this stage and while their aroma is heavenly, it also acts as a beacon to insects. Once harvested, we allow the slightly underripe fruit to safely mature to perfection on the kitchen counter. Peak maturity has been reached when the rinds take on a yellow cast. Charentais matures approximately 85 days after sowing. Each packet contains a minimum of 25 seeds.
