Taste Buds: Cantaloupe & Vanilla

Emily von Euw, blogger at This Rawsome Vegan Life, author of 100 Best Juices, Smoothies, and Healthful Snacks, shares her favorite culinary pairing: cantaloupe and vanilla.

The pairing of cantaloupe and vanilla proves vanilla is a uniquely flavored bean that shouldn’t be synonymous with “boring.”

The flavor of cantaloupe reminds me of cotton candy, so vanilla—earthy and a little bittersweet—complements it wonderfully. Vanilla also brings out notes of cantaloupe usually not noticed, such as a little spiciness.

I love serving fresh cantaloupe slightly cold, with a hint of pure vanilla bean powder; you don’t want to add too much because it can quickly overpower the melon’s delicate flavor. I also love blending fresh cantaloupe with frozen mango and adding a tiny bit of vanilla powder.

You end up with a distinctively fruity and refreshing drink that tastes almost like a creamy milkshake. For another delicious pairing, there’s cantaloupe-vanilla ice cream: blend cantaloupe with coconut milk and a little vanilla powder, then throw into an ice cream maker until you have a light, sweet, luscious, and healthful dessert.

—Emily von Euw