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Ananas melons are small to moderately sized, oval fruits, averaging 12 to 17 centimeters in diameter. The rind is firm, ranging in color from green to golden yellow depending on maturity, and is covered in a rough, tan netting. Underneath the thin rind, the flesh is aqueous with a soft but dense consistency, encasing a small cavity of light brown seeds suspended in a gelatinous liquid. The flesh also ranges in color from pale yellow to ivory, but depending on the specific variety, it may also appear pale green, orange, to white. Ananas melons have a notable, perfumed aroma similar to the scent of pineapples. When ripe, the melons bear a sweet, tropical, and floral flavor followed by a faint, caramel-like aftertaste.
Seasons/Availability
Ananas melons are available in the summer through early fall.
Current Facts
Ananas melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melo, are sweet fruits belonging to the reticulatus group, which encompasses melons with rinds covered in a rough netting. Ananas in French and Italian translates to mean “pineapple,” and the melon received its tropical name from its sweet, floral taste and aroma. Ananas melons have also acquired many other names over time, including Sharlyn melons, Pineapple melons, Khoob melons, Israeli or Middle Eastern melons, and Ananas D’Amerique a Chair Verte in France. Ananas melons are considered to be somewhat rare, seasonally found through specialty growers, and there are multiple sweet melon varieties varying in appearance that are generally labeled under the Ananas name in local markets and home gardens.
Nutritional Value
Ananas melons are a good source of vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that can help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. The melons also contain fiber, folate, potassium, magnesium, copper, and vitamin K.
Applications
Ananas melons are best suited for fresh preparations and can be incorporated into both sweet and savory dishes. The crisp flesh can be sliced or cubed and mixed into fruit and green salads, served with robust cheeses as an appetizer, or served in cold soups. The melons can also be blended into cocktails, smoothies, and juices or hollowed out and used as a serving vessel for desserts or fruit bowls. Ananas melons pair well with salty meats such as prosciutto, cheeses such as sheep’s milk or goat, yogurt, fruits such as berries, grapes, watermelons, strawberries, citrus, and honeydew, and aromatics such as ginger, mint, and cilantro. It is recommended to store whole Ananas melons at room temperature and when cut, the slices should be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Thomas Jefferson grew Ananas melons at his estate, Monticello in 1794. The two-acre garden featured over three hundred varieties of exotic fruits and vegetables and gained notoriety among the horticultural community for its state-of-the-art gardening practices. Jefferson also compiled detailed logs about many of the plants in the garden, which has assisted modern day researchers in their continued studies. One study was conducted in 2009, where Ananas melons were used as part of a DNA project done at Texas A&M. The study aimed to map the melon gnome and hundreds of DNA markers. Using this map, plant breeders are able to continue to produce new melon varieties with improved flavors, resistance to disease, and drought tolerance.
Geography/History
The history of Ananas melons is mostly unknown, with some experts connecting it to older melon varieties found in regions of Northern Africa and the Middle East. The sweet melon variety became popular in the United States and was first documented in the 19th century, where it was featured in multiple American seed catalogs in 1824. Ananas melons were also famously noted in M.M. Vilmorin-Andrieux’s book "The Vegetable Garden" in 1885. Today Ananas melons are somewhat rare to find and are grown for specialty markets, especially in Europe and the United States. The Ananas melons in the photograph above were grown at Munak Ranch, a farm located in the Upper Salinas Valley in the Paso Robles area of California.
Specialty Produce
1929 hancock st sd ca 92110
6192953172 [email protected]
Ananas Melons at Specialty Produce…..Ananas melons are oval-shaped fruits with a firm, netted rind that changes from green to golden yellow as they ripen. Their flesh is soft yet dense, ranging in color from pale yellow to ivory, with some varieties appearing pale green, orange, or white. They have a tropical, sweet flavor accompanied by a faint caramel-like aftertaste and a fragrant aroma reminiscent of pineapples. Their inner cavity contains light brown seeds in a gelatinous liquid.
Monterey Farmers Market
1410 Del Monte Center Monterey CA 93940
+1 (831) 728-5060
Ananas melons are versatile in both sweet and savory dishes. Their crisp flesh can be incorporated into salads, served with cheeses, or blended into beverages like smoothies and cocktails. They pair well with salty meats, cheeses, citrus fruits, and herbs like mint. Whole melons should be stored at room temperature, while cut slices are best kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Ananas Melons from Munak Ranch…..Ananas Melons: These sweet fruits are botanically classified as Cucumis melo and belong to the reticulatus group, characterized by rinds with rough netting. Their name, meaning "pineapple" in French and Italian, reflects their tropical taste and aroma. They're rare and seasonal, known by various names, including Pineapple melons and Israeli melons. Packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, and more, they support overall health.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock Street
619-295-3172 [email protected]
Ananas melons have a mysterious history, with ties to older varieties from Northern Africa and the Middle East. They gained recognition in the U.S. during the 19th century, appearing in seed catalogs by 1824 and in M.M. Vilmorin-Andrieux’s book "The Vegetable Garden" in 1885. Rare today, they are cultivated for specialty markets, particularly in Europe and the U.S., such as at Munak Ranch in California's Upper Salinas Valley.
Munak Ranch
Ananas melons: Ananas melons are oval and range from 12 to 17 centimeters in diameter. Their rind is netted and shifts from green to golden yellow as they mature. Beneath the thin rind is aqueous flesh, varying in color from pale yellow to ivory, with some varieties displaying pale green, orange, or white hues. These melons have a sweet, tropical, floral flavor and a pineapple-like aroma, finishing with a faint caramel-like aftertaste.
Munak Ranch
Ananas melons: These melons are versatile and can enhance both sweet and savory dishes. Their crisp flesh works well in fruit and green salads, appetizers with robust cheeses, cold soups, or blended into cocktails, smoothies, and juices. They pair well with prosciutto, goat cheese, yogurt, berries, citrus, and fragrant herbs like mint or cilantro. Whole melons should be stored at room temperature, while cut slices stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock Street San Diego CA 92110
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Ananas melons: These melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melo, belong to the reticulatus group known for their rough, netted rinds. Named "Ananas" for their pineapple-like taste and aroma, they are also called Sharlyn melons, Pineapple melons, and Khoob melons. Though rare, they can be found seasonally through specialty growers and are rich in vitamins A and C, along with fiber, potassium, folate, and other essential nutrients.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock Street San Diego CA 92110
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Ananas Melons are in Season Now…..Ananas melons, first documented in the 19th century, were mentioned in American seed catalogs in 1824 and highlighted in M.M. Vilmorin-Andrieux's "The Vegetable Garden" in 1885. Though rare today, they’re grown for specialty markets, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. Munak Ranch in California's Upper Salinas Valley is one location where these sweet melons are cultivated.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock Street San Diego CA 92110
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Amazing Ananas Melons from Munak Ranch!.....Ananas melons have a unique aroma reminiscent of pineapples, making them a sensory delight. When ripe, their flavor is sweet and tropical with floral notes, complemented by a subtle caramel-like aftertaste. The melons range in color from green to golden yellow with a rough, netted rind, while their tender flesh varies from pale yellow to ivory and can even appear pale green, orange, or white depending on the variety.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock Street San Diego CA 92110
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Ananas Melons are back in season now!.....Ananas melons have crisp flesh that pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes. They can be served in salads, cold soups, blended into smoothies or drinks, or used as a decorative serving vessel. Ideal flavor partners include prosciutto, soft cheeses like goat's milk, fruits like berries and citrus, and herbs such as mint or cilantro. Store whole melons at room temperature, or refrigerate cut slices in a sealed container for up to three days.
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