This week we are spotlighting beautiful French Charentais melons from our much-loved and long-time supplier Univert, a co-operative which brings together 60 fruit and vegetable producers in Southern France and Corsica. Our veg euro buyer Claire is eating these on repeat this week—always a good indication that the Charentais are reaching their peak! Top tip is to look for one where the skin around the stem has started to crack, and which has a perfumed aroma around the base.
Charentais is a variety of cantaloupe prized for its fragrant aroma and deeply sweet, honeyed and floral flavour. The flesh is rich, creamy, and melt-in-the-mouth.
Whilst the week may be looking a little grey and drizzly, there is no reason we can’t bring a small taste of sunny southern France to our plates, picnics and lunch boxes!
Charentais melons are perfect simply sliced and eaten. But for something different, why not try a wedge of Charentais with a squeeze of lime—the citrus lifts the sweetness and makes the flavour really sing. A little salt, along with a crack of black pepper or a sprinkle of sumac or chilli flakes, are optional but surprisingly good. This idea draws inspiration from Mexican street food, where fresh fruit is often brightened with lime, chilli and salt.
They’re also brilliant in salads—bringing colour, contrast, succulence and sweetness alongside cucumber, mint, rocket, toasted seeds and a good squeeze of lemon. For a more savoury twist, try adding them to a salad with salty ferments like kimchi or marinated tofu—it might sound unusual, but the contrast really works.
Whichever way you enjoy them, it is definitely the week to tuck in.
