These varieties often produce deeply sutured fruit and are harvested when ripe for optimum flavor. Their fruit tend to be soft, and the melons do not ship or store well. These varieties also tend to crack in wet weather. Primary varieties grown for local sales are Burpee Hybrid, Canada Gem, Gold Star, and Summet. Wholesale markets desire fruit that are consistent in size, firmness, shape, and appearance.
Flavor is less important.
Wholesale markets also want netted melons with little suturing. The major quality factor in muskmelons is sugar. Although aromatic flavors certainly are important, the soluble solids content is highly correlated with a consumer s perception of quality and is affected by temperature and moisture during growth and maturation and by the stage of maturity at harvest. They will exhibit their highest sugar content and best flavor and can be harvested for home use or on-farm sale, but will soften too rapidly for marketing elsewhere. Peak maturity is short-lived, particularly at high temperatures, and the flesh becomes grainy and watery, and develops unappealing flavors.