| Grading Guide: Cantaloupe | sizes | packs | Illustrated criteria |
| Criteria for USDA Fancy Cantaloupe | |
Characteristics of a USDA Fancy Cantaloupe:
Very Good Internal Quality |
Uniform Appearance |
One Type |
Mature |
|
The combined juice from the edible portion of a sample
of cantaloupes selected at random contains not less than 11 percent
soluble solids as determined by an approved hand refractometer
|
Not more than one-tenth of the packages in any lot contain
cantaloupes which show sufficient variation in shape, size, ground color
or netting to materially detract from the appearance of the contents
of the individual packages
|
The cantaloupes in any container are similar in color
of flesh and are not decidedly different in shape, character of netting
and prominence of ribbing
|
The cantaloupe has reached the stage of maturity which
will insure the proper completion of the normal ripening process.
|
USDA Fancy Cantaloupe does not have any:
Overripe |
Wet Slip |
Sunscald |
A condition present at time
of packing in which the stem scar is abnormally
large, excessively wet and slippery, yields to slight pressure, and is
frequently accompanied by
fresh radial growth cracks at the edge of the stem scar. |
Discolored or bleached, sunken areas of
the surface having tough epidermis with underlying
flesh leathery and usually off-color. |
This project made possible by financial assistance from Indiana's Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Value-Added Research Grant Program.