California Cantaloupe 2015 Snapshot

California Cantaloupe 2015 Snapshot

2015 was a year of delicious anticipation, triumphant crop yields, and fresh, new California cantaloupe inspiration. Whether you only just joined the California cantaloupe journey or you’ve been with us from the start, we hope you enjoy reflecting on these five highlights from the year just as much as we did.

Without further ado, we present to you five noteworthy things that happened with California cantaloupes in 2015…

1. Good Cantaloupe Supply Despite Drought

Did you know that California cantaloupe is considered one of the more water-wise summer crops grown in the state? In March we provided a crop update with an emphasis on the drought – that is, that despite the drought, normal cantaloupe supplies were expected for the California cantaloupe season. This prediction proved accurate seeing as the season yielded a great [delicious as ever] harvest!

2. From Seed to Fruit: The California Cantaloupe Season Countdown

We launched our very first California Cantaloupe Countdown!

As California cantaloupe farmers in the southern desert region of the state began gearing up for the season, they agreed to document their fields from start to finish in order for us to share with you their progress!

In early February, we kicked off a countdown to California cantaloupe season, which – as previously mentioned – began a few days earlier than predicted. After much anticipation, at the conclusion of the countdown, we put together a short video documenting the lifecycle of a California cantaloupe from seed to fruit!

3. 3 Fun, New Tutorials

We love California cantaloupe in all its glorious shapes and forms, but these fun preparation methods took it to a whole new level!

In case you missed them, in July, we published a short video on how to make cantaloupe melon balls, which was accompanied by different recipe ideas to use your newfound skill.

Next, in early September, we shared another new video on how to make cantaloupe cookie cutter shapes – giving new purpose to an old kitchen stand-by with more uses than its name lets on!

Finally, as Halloween rapidly approached in October, we shared a tutorial on how to carve a cantaloupe jack-o-lantern!

4. 13 Fresh & Delicious California Cantaloupe Recipes

At the start of the season, we were busy in the California cantaloupe test kitchen, blending, baking, and taste-testing recipe after recipe to bring you thirteen supremely scrumptious recipes!

Borrowing inspiration from our popular Recipe Search Contest which took place in January, and from the sweet harvest of California cantaloupes freshly picked from the fields, we had a blast formulating drink, appetizer, entrée, dessert, and snack ideas to share with you! We shared the first seven before the start of summer, and then four more when we launched our melon ball video, and another three with the launch of our cookie cutter shape video!

5. California Cantaloupe Community Growth

We love sharing the latest news, events, recipes, and inspiration from the California cantaloupe world with our community of like-minded folks. Looking back at 2015 from the start of the year to now, we couldn’t be happier with the community that has grown around one of California’s wondrous crops and we’re so very proud to be a part of it. Here’s a snapshot of our year at a glance:

Facebook | Then: 13k | Now: 17k | +4k (24%)

Twitter | Then: 515 | Now: 715 | + 200 (28%)

Instagram | Then: 405 | Now: 470 | +65 (14%)

Pinterest | Then: 195 | Now: 610 | +415 (68%)

Thank you to all who support and contribute to this community – you are the heart of the industry and the reason California cantaloupe farmers do what they do. Here’s to another year full of delicious cantaloupe inspiration and a great California cantaloupe harvest!

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