cutting; it’s now recommended that melons be
thoroughly washed in hot soapy water before
preparing them.
Food Words: Melon
In Greek, melon meant “apple,” but also
other fruits containing seeds. The Greeks
called our melon melopepon, or “apple-
gourd,” and this became shortened to
melon.Melon Families and Qualities The most
common Western melons fall into two
families:
Summer melons are highly aromatic and
perishable, and usually have rough rinds.
They include true cantaloupes and
muskmelons.
Winter melons are less aromatic and less
perishable, and usually have smooth or
wrinkled rinds. They include honeydews,
casabas, and canaries.