Members of the same botanical gourd family as squash and cucumbers, the melon dates back centuries to its first pickings in the Middle East, where in ancient times, the populace delighted in the juicy appeal of cantaloupes and muskmelons.

Today, what most people may not know is that melon varieties seem endless. You may be the most familiar with summer’s honeydews, cantaloupes, and watermelons. But elsewhere, people slice into such melon selections as the Christmas, Sharlyn, canary, Sicilian, and Russian melon.

While the delicate and juicy flesh of the melon does not generally work well in baked goods, it does stand up well on its own or blended into power drinks.

According to the CDC, melons in general contain ample amounts of vitamin C and potassium. Besides, melons are also generally low in calorie, making them great choices for people watching their weight.