Could North Carolina farmers soon add a sunny new fruit to their fields and their bottom lines? That’s a question Dr. Jonathan Schultheis is trying to answer with an agricultural research project currently underway. As a professor of horticultural science at N.C. State University, Schultheis is exploring the potential that canary melons might be the next big thing in local agriculture.
The vibrant yellow melons, with their smooth rind and sweet, refreshing flesh, are popular in places like Brazil, Morocco and Spain, but here in the U.S., they’re still considered a specialty crop that’s not commonly grown or eaten. Schultheis and his team are working to change that.
“People don’t know what they are,” Schultheis said during a presentation about his work with the melons. “So you’ve got to get up in front of them.”
Backed by State Support
This research is made possible through the New and Emerging Crops Program, an initiative of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). The program supports efforts to identify new crops that North Carolina farmers can grow profitably, which is especially important as traditional crops face challenges from market shifts, warmer seasons or consumer trends.
“We’re thankful for the funding to be able to do this. You don’t really get to work with such a specialty crop unless you have these kind of funding opportunities, because it’s not a big enough crop,” Schultheis noted. “So kudos to the program.”
What Are Canary Melons?
Canary melons are classified as Cucumis melo var. inodorus — a variety known for lacking the musky flavor typical of cantaloupes. They store better, thanks to their thicker rind and require around 80 to 90 days from seeding to harvest. They thrive in warm, temperate climates with well-drained soil. The inside can range from ivory to pale green, and some varieties even offer a unique orange flesh.
From Field Trials to Flavor Panels
Schultheis’s team has evaluated 20 different varieties of canary melons over the past year at the Central Crops Research Station. Their goal is to find out which varieties grow best in North Carolina’s climate and which ones people actually want to eat.
The work included:
• Field trials to measure yield, disease resistance and growth characteristics
• Sensory evaluations (a.k.a. taste tests) to assess sweetness, texture and overall appeal
• Lab analyses to examine internal qualities like sugar content and flesh firmness
Some of the standout varieties for further exploration included Gladial, Brilliant, Ruguso and UG 716. Gladial, for example, performed well in both yield and taste.
“I gave that one to the dean the first year we grew them, and I was glad I picked that one and picked the right one,” Schultheis joked. “You know, I’m still learning this stuff and how to pick them.”
The sensory testing yielded some surprising results. In descriptive panels, participants came up with nearly 800 different flavor descriptors from “caramel” and “peppery” to “mineral water.” While sweetness was the most commonly mentioned trait — a good sign — some varieties were also described as “bland” or “medicinal.” The feedback helped determine which varieties would be the best candidates for further field work and eventual introduction to customers.
From Research Plot to Farmer’s Market
Beyond the lab, the project is engaging real farmers and real consumers. This summer, shoppers at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh may have a chance to taste test several of the top canary melon candidates. Schultheis hopes to have a tasting event there in July when this year’s crop of melons is ripe. The team is also partnering with some of the state’s melon growers to test selected varieties in a commercial setting.
“If they have success and want to grow it in 2026, that’d be a good indicator that, hey, somebody’s making money; maybe I need to look at that,” said Schultheis.
Among the collaborators is Jackson Farm, which ships melons nationally, along with growers who sell directly to local markets. Their input will help determine not only which melons grow well, but which ones can succeed in the marketplace.
Lessons from the Past
Schultheis sees this project as part of a larger effort to diversify crop options in the state. He recalls previous work with sprite melons, which enjoyed some commercial success for about 15 years, even shipping from North Carolina to as far as California.
“That’s pretty unusual,” he said. “They were making extra money for a period of time.”
But consistency is key. If consumers don’t have a reliable, high-quality experience, they’re unlikely to return.
The Road Ahead
The research is still ongoing, with more sensory testing and grower feedback planned for 2025. But the early results are promising.
By identifying the best-performing varieties and building a better understanding of consumer preferences, Schultheis and his team are laying the groundwork for canary melons to become a viable new crop for North Carolina agriculture.
“We’re still learning this stuff ourselves,” he said. “But we’re excited about the possibilities.”