The most common types of melons are watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew, followed by canary melon, Korean melon, Galia, casaba, and Santa Claus melon. Most sweet melons other than watermelon belong to one species, the muskmelon. This guide shows six melons with pictures, lists six more worth trying, and explains how to pick a ripe one.
Types of Melons at a Glance
| Melon | Rind | Flesh | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watermelon | Green, striped | Red or yellow | Sweet, very juicy |
| Cantaloupe | Tan, netted | Orange | Sweet, musky |
| Honeydew | Smooth, pale green to cream | Pale green | Very sweet, mild |
| Canary melon | Smooth, bright yellow | Pale green to white | Sweet, slightly tangy |
| Korean melon | Yellow with white stripes | White | Mildly sweet, crisp |
| Bitter melon | Green, warty | Pale green | Bitter |
| Galia | Golden, netted | Pale green | Sweet, aromatic |
| Casaba | Yellow, wrinkled | White | Mild, cucumber-like |
| Santa Claus melon | Dark green, blotchy | Pale green | Sweet, mild |
Different Types of Melons with Pictures
1. Watermelon
Watermelon is the largest and most widely eaten melon. It has a thick green rind, often striped, and juicy flesh that is usually red or pink, though yellow and orange kinds exist. The fruit is about 92 percent water, which makes it one of the most refreshing foods in hot weather. It originated in Africa and has been grown for thousands of years. Seedless watermelons, which contain only small, soft, white seed coats, now make up most of the fruit sold in the United States.
Taste: Sweet, light, and very juicy, with a crisp, grainy texture.
How to pick a ripe one: It should feel heavy for its size and have a creamy yellow patch where it rested on the ground. A deep, hollow sound when you tap it is a good sign.
2. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe has a tan rind covered in a rough, raised net pattern and soft orange flesh with a pocket of seeds in the center. The melon sold as cantaloupe in North America is technically a type of muskmelon. The true European cantaloupe has a ribbed, lightly netted or smooth rind. The orange color comes from beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A.
Taste: Sweet and musky, with a soft, juicy texture and a strong, floral scent.
How to pick a ripe one: Smell the stem end, which should be sweet and fragrant. The skin under the netting should be golden or cream, not green, and the stem end should give slightly when pressed.
3. Honeydew
Honeydew is a smooth-skinned melon with a pale, creamy rind and light green flesh. It belongs to the winter melon group, which have thick rinds and keep longer than cantaloupes. An unripe honeydew is hard and bland, which gives the fruit an unfair reputation. A fully ripe one is among the sweetest of all melons.
Taste: Very sweet and mild, with a smooth, juicy bite and little aroma.
How to pick a ripe one: The rind should be creamy yellow, not green or stark white, and should feel slightly waxy or tacky. The blossom end should give a little when pressed.
4. Canary Melon
The canary melon is named for its bright yellow rind, the color of a canary bird. It is oval, with a smooth or slightly wrinkled skin and pale green to white flesh. It is a winter melon, like the honeydew, and is also sold as the Juan Canary melon. It is popular in Asia, North Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Taste: Sweet and slightly tangy, a little like a honeydew with a hint of pear.
How to pick a ripe one: Choose one that is evenly bright yellow with no green patches. It should feel heavy, with a faintly waxy skin.
5. Korean Melon
The Korean melon, called chamoe in Korea, is a small, oval melon about the size of a large mango. It is bright yellow with white stripes running from end to end. The flesh is white and crisp, and the skin is thin enough to eat. The small seeds in the center are soft and are usually eaten along with the flesh. It is a favorite summer fruit in Korea.
Taste: Lightly sweet and refreshing, somewhere between a honeydew and a cucumber, with a crunchy texture like a pear.
How to pick a ripe one: Look for a deep yellow color, clear white grooves, and firm skin with no soft spots. A ripe one smells sweet at the stem end.
6. Bitter Melon
Bitter melon, also called bitter gourd, is a long, green, bumpy fruit that is used as a vegetable. It is a relative of the sweet melons but tastes nothing like them. It is the most bitter of all commonly eaten vegetables. It is widely used in Chinese, Indian, Southeast Asian, and Okinawan cooking. The Chinese variety is pale green with smooth bumps, and the Indian variety is darker and covered in sharp ridges.
Taste: Strongly bitter, with a crunchy, watery texture like a cucumber.
How to pick a ripe one: For cooking, choose firm, green fruit. As it ripens it turns yellow or orange and becomes softer and more bitter. Salting or blanching the slices reduces the bitterness.
More Types of Melons to Try
- Galia: looks like a cantaloupe on the outside but has pale green, very fragrant flesh.
- Casaba: a yellow melon with a wrinkled rind and mild, white flesh.
- Santa Claus melon: also called Piel de Sapo, a dark green, football-shaped Spanish melon that keeps until Christmas.
- Crenshaw: a large melon with a yellow-green rind and sweet, spicy, peach-colored flesh.
- Hami melon: a crisp, very sweet oval melon from Xinjiang in China.
- Charentais: a small French melon with grey-green skin and deep orange, strongly scented flesh.
How to Pick a Ripe Melon
For a watermelon, look for a creamy yellow patch where it sat on the ground and a deep, hollow sound when you tap it. It should feel heavy for its size. For a cantaloupe or Galia, smell the stem end: a ripe one smells sweet, and the stem end gives slightly when pressed. For a honeydew, choose one with a creamy yellow color and a slightly tacky surface instead of a hard green one.
Are Melons Fruits or Vegetables?
Melons are fruits. They belong to the gourd family, along with cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins, which is why the plants look so similar. For related guides, see types of pumpkins, types of berries, types of mangoes, and types of apples.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three main types of melons?
Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are the three most common melons.
What is the sweetest type of melon?
A fully ripe honeydew is usually the sweetest common melon. Hami and Charentais melons are also known for being very sweet.
What is the difference between a cantaloupe and a muskmelon?
Muskmelon is the name of the species. The netted, orange-fleshed cantaloupe sold in North America is one type of muskmelon, and honeydew, Galia, and casaba are others.
Is watermelon a melon?
Yes, in everyday use. Botanically it belongs to a different genus from cantaloupe and honeydew, but all of them are in the gourd family.
Can you eat bitter melon raw?
It can be eaten raw, but it is very bitter. It is usually salted and cooked to soften the taste.