I have no faith whatsoever with the average cantaloupes at the grocery stores. They mostly have no odor, meaning they are not ripe, and they are tasteless. So, I try to buy more exotic cantaloupes – like the Tuscan-Style melons from Dulcinea Farms. I have been seeing a few recently at various stores and bought one yesterday at Wal-Mart.
In a word – excellent. Sweet, firm, delicious. When you pay anywhere from $3 to $5 a melon, you at least want one that is edible, and these are.
Tuscans are a bit smaller than the average cantaloupe and each one has a ribbed surface with prominent sutures extending from end to end. These hybrids were created from Italian varieties and have a rich, subtly earthy, and exceptionally sweet flavor. They are grown year-round, but the peak season is in summer.
If you are a melon lover like me, pick up one of these orange beauties next time you see one. They’re well worth the cost.