The Montreal melon is an ancient variety that originated in Montreal and was popular in the 17th-18th centuries. It has a unique sweet and spicy flavor with nutmeg tones. The melon fell out of favor in the early 20th century as farms were replaced by urban expansion. In the 1990s, a filmmaker found old seeds and a farmer was able to germinate one, preserving the variety. Local farmers now grow the melon again, especially on the fertile slopes of Mount Royal near Montreal.