Charentais Melon

Charentais Melon Singapore

Charentais Melon is a small, aromatic melon with smooth greenish-grey skin, dark green ribbing and rich orange flesh inside. It is also known as Charentais French Melon, French melon, Philibon melon, melon Philibon and baby French melon.

This melon is loved for its strong fragrance, syrupy sweetness and soft floral finish. When ripe, the flesh becomes juicy, tender and deeply aromatic, with a dessert-like melon flavour that is richer than many everyday melons.

Charentais is usually a small melon, often suitable for one to two servings depending on size. It ripens quickly and is more delicate than many thicker-skinned melons, so it is best enjoyed soon after it becomes fragrant.

Origin: Imported. Country of origin may vary by batch and shipment.

Charentais Melon Quick Facts

Taste and Texture

Charentais Melon has an intense sweet melon aroma with a soft floral aftertaste. A ripe Charentais should smell fragrant before cutting, with orange flesh that tastes sweet, juicy and almost syrupy.

The texture is delicate and tender, not crunchy like Hami melon and not as firm as some honeydew-style melons. Because the flesh is soft and aromatic, Charentais is best served chilled and eaten soon after ripening.

• Small aromatic Charentais melon
• Also known as Charentais French Melon and French melon
• Sweet orange flesh with floral aroma
• Soft, juicy and delicate texture
• Good for one to two servings depending on size
• Best enjoyed ripe, chilled and fresh

What is Charentais Melon?

Charentais Melon is a small cantaloupe-type melon known for its strong fragrance and orange flesh. It is usually round to slightly oval, with a greenish-grey rind and darker green ribs.

This melon is more delicate than many larger melons. It has thin skin, soft flesh and a rich aroma, which means it should be handled gently and eaten soon once ripe.

The French word for melon is simply “melon”. In French, Charentais melon is commonly written as “melon Charentais”.

Other Names for Charentais Melon

Charentais Melon is also known as Charentais French Melon, French melon, Philibon melon, melon Philibon, Charentais, French cantaloupe and baby French melon.

Charentais Melon Size

Charentais is usually a small melon. Many references describe it at about 7–10 cm across, although actual size can vary by farm, origin, season and batch.

Because of its smaller size, one Charentais melon is often suitable for one generous serving or for two people to share. The smaller format also makes it convenient for chilled dessert plates and simple fruit platters.

Charentais Melon vs Cantaloupe

Charentais Melon is related to cantaloupe-style melons, but it is usually smaller, more fragrant and more delicate. It has orange flesh like cantaloupe, with a richer perfume and softer eating texture when ripe.

Every batch can vary, but Charentais is generally chosen for aroma and flavour rather than long storage life. It should be eaten soon after ripening for the best taste.

How to Choose Charentais Melon

Choose a Charentais melon that feels heavy for its size and has a sweet, fragrant aroma. The rind should look fresh, without deep bruises, mould, leaking areas or very soft sunken patches.

A ripe Charentais should not feel too hard. It may give slightly when gently pressed, but it should not feel mushy or wet. Because it ripens quickly, it is best to eat it within a day or two once fully fragrant.

• Choose a melon that feels heavy for its size
• Look for a sweet and fragrant aroma
• Check for fresh skin without deep damage
• Avoid leaking, mouldy or very soft patches
• For same-day eating, choose one with stronger aroma
• For later eating, choose a firmer melon and ripen at room temperature

How to Tell if Charentais Melon is Ripe

A ripe Charentais melon should smell sweet and floral. It should give slightly when gently pressed, but it should not be overly soft.

If the melon is still firm and has little aroma, leave it at room temperature. Once it becomes fragrant, chill it before serving and enjoy it soon for the best flavour.

How to Cut Charentais Melon

Wash the outer rind before cutting. Slice the melon in half, scoop out the centre seeds, then cut the orange flesh into wedges or cubes.

Because Charentais is small, it is easy to serve as neat wedges or half-melon portions. For a simple dessert, chill the melon first, then cut and serve plain.

• Wash the rind before cutting
• Cut the melon in half
• Scoop out the centre seeds
• Slice into wedges or cubes
• Serve chilled for the best aroma and sweetness
• Keep cut melon covered in the refrigerator
• Consume cut melon soon for best freshness

Serving Ideas

Charentais Melon is best served chilled and fresh. Its sweet floral aroma makes it suitable for simple dessert plates, fruit platters and classic melon and ham pairings.

It also works well with mild cheeses, berries, mint, basil, yogurt, sparkling drinks and light desserts. Because the flavour is naturally strong, it is best paired with simple ingredients.

• Chilled Charentais melon wedges
• Fresh orange melon cubes
• Melon with Parma ham or prosciutto
• Fruit platters with berries, grapes and kiwi
• Breakfast bowls with yogurt
• Simple dessert after meals
• Melon salad with mint or basil
• Small sharing portion for one to two people

Charentais Melon Nutrition Overview

Charentais Melon can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Like other orange-flesh melons, it naturally contains water, carbohydrates, vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium and small amounts of dietary fibre.

Nutrition values can vary depending on melon variety, ripeness and edible portion. Weigh the edible flesh portion when tracking calories, sugar or carbohydrates closely.

Storage and Handling Guide

Charentais melons ripen best at room temperature. Keep the whole melon on the kitchen counter or in a cool, ventilated area until it becomes sweet-smelling and ready to eat.

Once ripe, place it in the refrigerator and consume within a few days. After cutting, store the melon in a covered container in the refrigerator and eat it soon, as the flesh is delicate and can lose quality quickly.

• Ripen whole melon at room temperature
• Keep away from direct sunlight and heat
• Eat within a day or two once fully fragrant
• Chill ripe melon before serving
• Wash the rind before cutting
• Store cut melon in a covered container
• Keep cut melon refrigerated
• Consume cut melon soon for best aroma and texture

Why Buy Charentais Melon from SKC Fruits

SKC Fruits offers Charentais Melon for those who enjoy small, fragrant and sweet orange-flesh melons. This French melon style is ideal for chilled desserts, fruit platters, melon and ham pairings, and simple fresh eating.

• Small aromatic Charentais melon
• Also known as Charentais French Melon and Philibon melon
• Sweet orange flesh with floral aroma
• Soft, juicy and delicate when ripe
• Good size for one to two servings
• Suitable for fresh dessert, fruit platters and melon with ham
• Simple ripeness, cutting and storage guide included
• Convenient premium melon delivery in Singapore from SKC Fruits