Like watermelon, cantaloupe is linked with warm weather, either because its high water content makes it refreshing in the heat or because it's in season.
This juicy orange melon is a classic in fruit salads, but it's also easy to acquire year-round and has many non-hydration-related uses.
Kristin Gillespie, RD, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, thinks cantaloupe's antioxidants make it healthy. The USDA reports that one cup of cantaloupe provides more than half the daily vitamin C and more than the vitamin A you need.
Cantaloupe, like other orange-hued produce, contains carotenoids, which are connected to age-related eye health, according to the NIH.
Because cantaloupe is water-rich and potassium-rich, Mayo Clinic says it can help maintain good blood pressure.
The gourd family includes cantaloupe (Cantalupensis). According to Britannica, cantaloupes became popular in Europe, where they were named after Cantalupo, Italy.
Cantaloupes have a sweet taste, a vivid orange color, and a textured, tan rind.
Although its precise native origins are unknown, cantaloupe is thought to have originated in ancient Egypt and Rome, according to Minneopa Orchards.
Christopher Columbus is credited with bringing the fruit to North America.
Cantaloupe is said to be hydrating, much like watermelon and other fruits with a high water content, which may be why it's so popular in the hot summer months.