You know summer is at its peak when the delicious melons are front and center! This year, we invite you to discover an exceptional selection of perfectly ripened watermelons, fragrant cantaloupes, sweet honeydews, and distinctive specialty varieties, each chosen for outstanding flavor and quality. Equally delicious in both sweet and savory applications, melons elevate everything from seasonal salads and charcuterie boards to chilled soups, refreshing beverages, and effortless desserts.

We have some Produce Team staff favorites to share along with some tips for selecting a great melon every time, all the right accompaniments for maximum melon enjoyment, recipe ideas, and more. Let’s dig in!

Note: All quoted prices are in effect through August 25, 2026 at all four Oliver’s Market Sonoma County locations. Be sure to check out our weekly ad for even more savings!

MELON SELECTION TIPS

When picking a melon, use your senses! Look for melons that are free of cracks, bruises, and soft spots; for watermelons and honeydew, the skin should be dull in appearence, and a honeydew should be pale yellow in color. For cantaloupe and other muskmelons, the rind beneath the “netting” should be golden or orange in color.

You’ll want to feel the melon too – it should be heavy for its size, meaning it will be nice and juicy! You can also check for good watermelons by tapping them; if they sound hollow, you’ve got a good one. Finally, make sure to sniff the area where the stem was attached. If it smells sweet and floral, you’ve got a melon in a million!

Cantaloupe: When perfectly ripe, the flesh is juicy, unctuous and sweet! Serve this summer treat fresh and simply with prosciutto or with yogurt and honey.

Orange Flesh Honeydew: Firm yet juicy flesh offing a honey sweet melon, almost bubblegum-esque flavor. This melon is one of the summer’s highly-anticipated staff favorites!

Galia Melon: Its flesh is pale green with a succulent texture and a signature spicy-sweet flavor, all rounded out with tropical and floral aromatics.

Crenshaw Melon: This melon’s skin turns golden-yellow at the peak of ripeness and will have a slightly waxy feel. Its dense, tender, and peach-colored flesh is sweet and slightly spicy.

Canary Melon: When this melon is ripe, its hard rind turns bright yellow, it develops a corrugated look. It will have a slightly waxy feel and its flesh will be pale ivory in color. Canary melons possess flavors that are both tangy and mildly sweet.

Sharlyn Melon: A highly perishable variety with a subtle flavor. It’s excellent with more sour foods, like yogurt or goat cheese. Great for cooking with!

Tuscan Cantaloupe: Similar in coloring to the classic cantaloupe, this melon has a dense flesh with a rich cantaloupe flavor and is usually sweeter than the classic variety.

Casaba Melon: The creamy, pale green-white flesh is mild and sweet in flavor, with nuances of Asian pear and an aroma reminiscent of cucumber. Great fresh in salads.

Honeydew Melon: When picked at its peak, the honeydew should be reminiscent of a Comice Pear, with intense sweetness and floral qualities. Firm and juicy flesh, look for dull color to indicate ripeness.

STAFF PICKS

We asked our Produce Team to pick some of their current favorites from this year’s crop. If you are not sure what type of melon to select, you may find their comments helpful.

• Organic Honeysaurus Melon, Grown by Access in California, 99¢/lb.
  • “This is my new favorite melon. Beautiful white flesh, sweet mixture of a Galia and a good Honeydew of the past.” – Mike Peterson, Produce Coordinator
• Organic Black Seedless Watermelon, Grown by Durst Farm in Esparto, CA, $6.99/ea.
  • “The Black Seedless Watermelon is an exceptional variety of melon! A standout for its sweet, pronounced flavor, and signature crisp texture. Ask for a sample or try it out in our organic cut fruit section.” – Holly Fogg, Stony Point Produce Department Manager
• Organic Charentais Melon, Grown by Durst Farm in Esparto, CA, $1.29/lb.
  • “Intense, sweet aroma and this is the classic cantaloupe flavor with hints of an almost tropical mango.” – Rocket Burton, Windsor Produce Department Manager
• Organic Galia Melon, Grown in California, $1.29/lb.
  • “Probably the most underrated melon we have. This is a great melon that continues to be the most consistent melon in our lineup. To me it’s mixture of cantaloupe and honeydew but better.” – Angel Calderon, Montecito Assistant Produce Department Manager
• Local Crane Melons, Grown by Castaneda Farm in Santa Rosa, CA, $1.49/lb. (While Supplies Last)
  • “The original Sonoma County melon. These are grown by Gabe Castaneda on River Road. They have that distinct floral aroma with a soft honey texture.” – Tati Espinoza, Cotati Produce Department Manager

MEET YOUR MELON MATCH

Once you choose a delicious and perfectly ripe melon — or two — you may just want to slice it up and enjoy, but if you are in the market for some key ingredients that pair well with melon, here is the start to your shopping list, along with links to our featured recipes this week, Cucumber & Honeysaurus Melon Coolers, and Charentais Melon & Arugula Salad with Spicy Ham.

Our buyers gathered up some wonderful melon-friendly ingredients below at special pricing to make your melon — and savings — all the more delicious!

• Organic Bunched Mint, Grown by Bay Area Herbs in California, $1.99/ea.
• Organic Basil, .75 oz. Package, Grown by Bay Area Herns in California, $1.99/ea.
• Black Seedless “Moon Drops” Grapes, Grown by The Grapery in California, $2.99/lb.
• Meyer Lemons, Grown in New Zealand, $2.99/lb.
• Tajin Classico Seasoning, 5 oz. Container, $2.49
• Costeaux French Bakery Baguette, 8 oz. Loaf, $2.99 — LOCAL
• Maestri Prosciutto Crudo, 3 oz. Package, $8.99/ea.
• Valbreso Sheep’s Milk Feta, $11.99/lb.
  • This exceptional feta is made in Southern France in rugged plateaus near the Mediterranean Sea. This 100% Sheep’s milk feta is made from milk from the Lacaune breed of sheep, lending to its gentle creamy texture and distinctive richness.
• Belfiore Organic Fresh Mozzarella, 6 oz. Container, $4.99/ea. (REV)
  • Made with 100% organic California milk, Belfiore organic mozzarella boasts a silky, creamy texture, and a flavor that shows the milk’s quality. Rich and milky by nature, this mild, well-rounded mozzarella is a perfect addition to a homemade pizza, or fresh melon salad.
• OHB Chico Honey Co. Pure & Raw Honey, 16-20 oz. Pouch, $10.99 (REV)
• Cobram California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 33.8 oz. Bottle, $15.99
• Nonna Pia’s Balsamic Glaze, 8.45 oz. Bottle, $5.99 (REV)
• C2O Coconut Water, 33.8 oz. Carton, $4.49 (REV)
• Saratoga Spring Water, 28 oz. Bottle, $2.99+CRV (REV)
• Alexander Valley Vineyards Rosé of Sangiovese, 2024/2025 Sonoma County, 750ml Bottle, $15.99+CRV
• La Marca Prosecco, NV Italy, 750ml Bottle, $13.99+CRV
• Hendrick’s Gin, 750ml Bottle, $31.99+CRV
• Corralejo Reposado or Blanco Tequila, 750ml Bottle, $24.99+CRV

DON’T BE MELON-CHOLY

Delicious summer melons are here waiting for you at Oliver’s! We have the best selection of melon varieties ready for you to select and enjoy, plus all of the ingredients you need to make them even more delicious. And as always, our Produce Team members are standing by to assist you with questions or help selecting your perfect melon!

Salud!