The original French settlers of the New World quickly discovered that a particular region between
the St. Lawrence River and Mount Royal of the Montreal plain was an ideal location for cultivating
melons. Much of this area later became farmland owned by the Décarie family and the major
expressway that currently crosses the region bears this name. The two most notable melons
cultivated in the region were the Montreal Muskmelon (aka Montreal nutmeg melon) and the
Décarie Melon and they became well-known throughout the eastern parts of the US and Canada
for a period from the late 19th century until the Second World War. Montreal melons were larger
than any others cultivated in North America at the time. Its light green flesh and spicy flavor
reminiscent of nutmeg made it a highly sought after delicacy. At one point in time, a single slice of
Montreal Melon was sold in fine New York and Boston restaurants at the same price as a
premium-quality steak.