Cantaloupe flavor depends upon environmental conditions. High rainfall or excessive irrigation as the cantaloupes near maturity will adversely affect fruit flavor. Also, diseases that reduce the vigor of the plant and the leaves' ability to produce sugar will affect fruit flavor. Maintaining the plants in a healthy growing condition and avoiding excessive watering near maturity will improve cantaloupe flavor. Melon flavor is improved by several days of full sun exposure immediately before harvest, which increases sugar levels in fruit. Lack of flavor is not caused by cantaloupes crossing with other vine crops, such as cucumbers. The variety of cantaloupe grown also affects flavor.

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