Cantaloupe melon with firm, orange, moderately sweet flesh. In 2016, global production of melons, including cantaloupes, was 31.2 million tonnes, with China accounting for 51% of the world total (15.9 million tonnes). Other significant countries growing cantaloupe were Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and India, with each producing 1 to 1.9 million tonnes. Cantaloupe is normally eaten as a fresh fruit, as a salad, or as a dessert with ice cream or custard. Melon pieces wrapped in prosciutto are a familiar antipasto. The seeds are edible and may be dried for use as a snack. Because the surface of a cantaloupe can contain
First Fruits produce of the field as belonging to God. In the Law of Moses there is a parallel between the offering of first fruits and the offering of the first-born male which opens the womb. The latter belongs to the Lord, and must be either sacrificed to him, or redeemed. The Apostle Paul also referred to Jesus' resurrection as a type of "First Fruit" () where he says: "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep." The Eastern Orthodox Church the offering of first fruits takes the form of a thanksgiving and