Whether it’s large or small, a ripe melon will feel heavy for its size. Pick it up and make a note of how heavy it feels. A melon that feels heavier than it looks is juicy and refreshing! A melon that seems lightweight may be dried out and bland.
What should I look for when buying a melon?
How to Pick Out a Good Melon
- Check the Weight. You want to choose a melon that feels heavy for its size.
- Look for Flaws. Some melon-skin flaws are bad—like cracks and bruises.
- Check for a Field Spot.
- Smell the Melon.
- Tap the Melon.
- Take a Break.
- Try Again.
How can you tell if a melon is good?
When ripe, the color of the rind should be a creamy yellow rather than green, and the rind will become smooth and waxy rather than dusky. If you press on the bottom of a ripe honeydew (the opposite end from where it’s attached to the vine), it should feel slightly soft or at least a little springy.
How do you pick a good melon or cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is a seasonal fruit and warm spring weather brings the right time to start purchasing cantaloupe. To select a ripe cantaloupe, look for tan cantaloupe with light green lines across it, and avoid choosing melons with brown or soft spots. The melon should be firm but not too soft or too hard.
What are the best melons to buy?
These varieties will produce ripe melons in 85-95 days.
- Hale’s Best Jumbo.
- Honey Rock.
- Papaya Dew.
- Piel de Sapo.
- Prescott Fond Blanc.
- Rocky Ford Green Flesh.
- Sakata’s Sweet.
- Sweet Delight.
How do you buy a good honeydew melon?
Honeydew
- Don’t pick a green honeydew; pick a white or yellow one.
- Feel the outside of the smooth rind.
- The blossom end (opposite of the stem) should give a bit when light pressure is applied.
- The whole melon should have a strong, sweet smell.
What should I look for when buying cantaloupe?
A ripe cantaloupe should have some give, but it should be firm without being rock-hard. Then feel for soft spots. If there are many soft spots, the melon may be too ripe. A few small soft spots are OK as long as the rest of it is still a little firm.
How do you pick a ripe melon all the time?
Ripe melons will feel heavy for their size, if they feel light, they are not as juicy, and juiciness equates to ripeness. If a melon has a pale-yellow patch on one side that may be slightly flattened, this is where it rested on the ground, and is a good sign for ripeness.
How do you know a honeydew melon is ripe?
Find the blossom end, which is opposite the end where it was attached to the vine. Give it a press with your thumb and it should feel slightly springy with a slight give. If it’s rock hard, it’s underripe, and if it’s total mush, it’s definitely past its prime.
How can you tell if a cantaloupe is sweet?
You should pick the cantaloupe up and gently twist its stem. If it detaches easily, then that’s the plant telling you that you’ve got yourself a sweet, juicy cantaloupe! If the stem resists, then it’s probably not ready yet, and you should try again a couple of days later.
How do you pick a good watermelon honeydew or cantaloupe?
How to pick a perfectly ripe watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew melon every time
- Ripe watermelon will make a deep, resonant sound when tapped.
- Ripe cantaloupe will have a sweet, floral smell and slight softness around the stem end.
- For the sweetest honeydew, look for fruit with pale yellow skin.
Which type of melon is the sweetest?
Honey Globe Melon
Many describe this type of melon as one of high quality and extremely sweet. And it’s the delicious taste of the Honey Globe that sets this apart from other melons. The light green flesh is thick and succulent and, because over 15% of its weight is sugar, it’s one of the sweetest melons.
What is the most popular melon?
Three of the most common melons are cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon. Cantaloupe has become the common name for all netted, musk-scented melons or muskmelons. Honeydew melons are another type of melon with white or green flesh, although some newer varieties may have orange or pink flesh.
Which is sweeter cantaloupe or honeydew?
There is a taste difference in the two. Honeydew melon is slightly sweeter with a firm, green flesh, while cantaloupe has softer, orange flesh.
Should honeydew be refrigerated?
Plus, the fridge can deplete the nutritional value in certain melons. Once cut open, you should refrigerate your melons. Honeydew, however, won’t ripen inside or outside of the fridge; it stops ripening once picked.
How do you know if a honeydew is sweet?
The best indicator of ripeness is aroma. If the honeydew’s sweet, lightly floral fragrance is noticeable, it’s probably ready to cut and eat. The outside of the melon should feel firm but give slightly to pressure, particularly on the end where the stem was.
How do you store melons in the fridge?
Whole melon should be left at room temperature until ripe. Once ripe, place whole, uncovered melons, in the refrigerator. To store melon halves, cover tightly with either ClingWrap or Press’n Seal® wrap. To store cut melon, seal in a GladWare® food protection container and refrigerate.
What are 3 things to look for when picking a cantaloupe?
3 Simple Tips for Picking Ripe Cantaloupe
- LOOK – Cantaloupe should be a nice golden yellow color. Don’t pick cantaloupe that are greenish.
- FEEL – You should be able to feel the edges of the outer skin.
- SMELL – Place the flower end or the “button” of the cantaloupe just under your nose and take a whiff.
Should cantaloupes be refrigerated?
If buying fresh-cut cantaloupe, be sure it is refrigerated or surrounded by ice. After purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly. Wash hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh cantaloupes. Scrub whole cantaloupes by using a clean produce brush and cool tap water immediately before eating.
How do you know if a cantaloupe is bad?
Look at the inside and outside of the cantaloupe
Let’s start with the outside appearance: So Yummy advises that if you see bruising or discoloration, or see any liquid coming through the rind, then the melon is no longer good.
Why does my honey dew taste like a cucumber?
Pleasingly soft when ripe, honeydew melon tastes a lot like a sweet, slightly musky cucumber with nectarous juice. As honeydew melons ripen, their fragrance becomes stronger and the fruit becomes sweeter. Raw honeydew melon seeds are inedible, but toasting them with a dash of salt makes for a fresh, crunchy snack!
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.