Good Question. Every one as a different opinion. Can we get it straightened out?
Bernie
Muskmelon or Cantalope
I just them interchangeably.
Good eating whatever we call them.
old folks call em muskmelons......new generation calls them cantaloupes:) I just eat em:)
Believe what is grown in the Midwest is truly Muskmelon. There is a difference which has left my mind at the moment. Would have to do a little research to explain it.
TLC
There are actually distinct differences. Most of what we grow in America are muskmelons, although we call them cantaloupes.
Cantaloupes are more common in Europe.
Some of the differences: Cantaloupes tend to be smooth skined, and lack the netting found on muskmelons. When ripe, muskmelons separate from their vines, cantaloupes don't.
Although not a sure-fire difference, canteloupes tend to have much more pronounced ribs.
Thanks Brook. Thats basicly what I tell my customers. Seems I read once that if we tried to sell real cantaloupes, people wouldn't buy them because they are not a pretty site.
Bernie
I'd have to disagree about their prettiness, Bernie.
Check out Amy Goldman's new "Melons For The Passionate Grower," and look at some of the color plates. True cateloupes are gorgeous, IMO.
Of course, I'm also big on the Persians and Casavas, in terms of looks.
I don't think people avoid them because they're ugly. It's just not what they're used to seeing, and anything different is suspect. Just like when you introduce non-red heirloom tomatoes. There's an educational process.
Once they taste some of those other melons, though, it's Katy bar the door.
Some factoids for those who like to know such things :)
Cantaloupe is named for Cantalupo, near Tivoli (Rome).
According to the following article (from Texas A&M), all cantaloupes are muskmelons, but all muskmelons are not cantaloupes.
Muskmelons originated in Persia, and the name Muskmelon comes from the Persian word for musk (perfume) and the French term for melon, referring to the sweet aroma when they're ripe.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/publications/vegetabletravelers/muskmelon.html