France Charentais Melons are a small varietal and have a round to oval shape. The melon’s rind is thin, smooth, and hard, ranging in color from grey-green to pale green, showcasing mottled dark green striping that extends from the stem to the blossom end. As the melon matures, the coloring of the stripes will darken or stay the same, and the base grey-green coloring will sometimes develop a yellow hue.
Some Charentais varieties will also exhibit lightly netted skin, depending on breeding habits and specific types. Underneath the surface, the pale orange flesh is dense, semi-aqueous, and succulent with a firm but tender consistency. The melon also encases a central cavity filled with oblong ivory seeds attached to small white fibers, suspended in a gelatinous liquid.
Charentais melons are highly aromatic, emitting honeyed, fruity, and floral notes reminiscent of ambrosia. The melons should feel heavy for their size, and French folklore states that the best melons bear ten stripes each. Charentais melon’s flesh contains a high sugar content mixed with mild acidity, creating a very sweet flavor followed by a pleasant, soft floral aftertaste.
