A species of melon, previously believed to be nearly extinct, is experiencing a resurgence in Montreal, its city of origin. The Montreal melon, once a luxury item favored by the elite in the late 1800s, is being revived by local initiatives. This fruit was historically cultivated along the St. Lawrence River, fetching high prices and enjoyed by aristocrats in cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. The expansion of industrial development over agricultural lands led to its disappearance by the 1920s, with the last of its seeds thought to be lost.
In 1996, a discovery of the Montreal melon seeds in an Iowa seed bank by a journalist initiated efforts to revive the melon. The Blue Bonnets Gardens, an urban farming organization, is now spearheading the revival, growing melons at a former horse-racing track in the city. A tasting event was held to allow locals to sample the melon, described as soft and sweet. The initiative aims not only to reintroduce the melon to Montrealers but also to contribute to the local community by providing the harvest to a food bank, ensuring the fruit is accessible to all, not just the affluent. This effort highlights the melon's significance in Montreal's agricultural history and its potential role in contemporary urban farming practices.
Source: Global News