How Do You Pick A Good Juicy Cantaloupe?

The melon should be firm but not too soft or too hard. Smell the melon at the stem core (where it was cut) and it should have a good cantaloupe smell; those without smell are under-ripe, and those with unpleasing odor are over-ripe.

How do you tell if a cantaloupe is ripe and juicy?

The cantaloupe should have just the right level of firmness – not soft, but not too tough either. Press down on the stem end – it should have just a bit of give. If it’s too tough, it needs a few more days to ripen, but if it’s too soft, it’s past its prime. Give the fruit a good shake, too.

How do you pick a soft cantaloupe?

The best way to pick a cantaloupe is by smell. The fruit should have a sweet, slightly musky scent. A good cantaloupe feels heavy for its size, has a rind that resembles raised netting, and has a stem end that yields slightly when pressed with your thumb.

How do you pick a sweet cantaloupe?

If you don’t have time to sort through a pile of cantaloupes at the grocery store or farmers’ market, the best way to pick a cantaloupe is by smelling it. Pick up the melon and take a whiff of the stem end. There should be a sweet smell, but not too sweet. If you can’t smell anything, it’s not quite ripe.

Is cantaloupe supposed to be juicy?

A ripe cantaloupe is so sweet, tender, drippingly juicy, and vibrantly orange, while an unripe one lacks flavor and moisture, hard to bite, and has an anemically pale orange color.

Will a cantaloupe ripen in the refrigerator?

Will a cantaloupe ripen if it is in the refrigerator overnight? No, it will not ripen once it is in the refrigerator.

Will a cantaloupe ripen on the counter?

Unlike other fruits, cantaloupes will not ripen once picked from the vine. At the grocery store, then, what you see is what you get: The fruit will not ripen very much once left on the counter at home, so it’s important to pick a good cantaloupe.

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.

What is the sweetest cantaloupe?

Crenshaws also have peachy flesh, similar to a cantaloupe’s, which is juicy and sweet to taste. In fact, it is known to be one of the sweetest melons there is.

What does a ripe cantaloupe look like?

A ripe cantaloupe will have beige, tan, creamy yellow or golden rind. Green rind indicates that the fruit is unripe. The fruit will have a raised, textured webbing on its exterior. Don’t be concerned with discoloration – this is usually just the spot where the melon rested on the ground while being grown in the field.

Does uncut cantaloupe need to be refrigerated?

Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew on the counter for best flavor. USDA research found that storage at room temp may even help keep the antioxidants better intact. Once cut, store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

How do you store cantaloupe in the refrigerator?

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.

How long does cantaloupe last in the fridge?

seven to 10 days
A whole, uncut cantaloupe or honeydew melon should last for seven to 10 days in the refrigerator. A whole, uncut watermelon is even sturdier: It should be good for two weeks.

How do you ripen a cantaloupe quickly?

Set the cantaloupe in a paper bag once you want to speed up the ripening process. Keep it at room temperature during this process. Place ethylene-producing fruits such as an apple or banana in the paper bag with the cantaloupe to further speed up the ripening.

How long does cut cantaloupe last in the fridge?

three days
(Leaving the seeds intact can prolong the cantaloupe’s shelf life.) Wrap the slices in plastic wrap or plastic bags. Cantaloupe slices will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.

How do you keep cantaloupe fresh longer?

The optimal relative humidity is 95 to 100 percent, which prevents drying. If possible, place cantaloupe in the refrigerator crisper, where the humidity tends to be higher. Under these conditions, freshly harvested cantaloupe, picked at full slip, lasts about 5 to 15 days, depending on variety and growing conditions.

Why does my cantaloupe taste like nail polish remover?

These fruits, if grown naturally, are not good stored. You can taste the stored ones straight away, they either have no flavour or they develop an acetone taste akin to nail varnish.

Is it OK to eat cantaloupe everyday?

Improves vision: Eating cantaloupe daily can improve your vision. Vitamin C, zeaxanthin and carotenoids present in cantaloupe improve vision and reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration (an eye disease that causes vision loss, typically in the central field of vision).

What can I do with a non ripe cantaloupe?

Turning it into a soup — with mangos, or a white gazpacho with grapes and almonds. Making a melon jam or chutney. Using it as a thick base for a smoothie, or blending it with lime juice and honey for cantaloupe agua fresca. Grilling the melon with a touch of salt to bring out its sweetness, from AniQuadros.

Can dogs eat cantaloupe?

So, can dogs eat cantaloupe? Yes, the tasty melon is safe for pups to eat in moderation and can be a healthy alternative to traditional treats, especially if your dog is overweight. Even the seeds are harmless, but you should avoid feeding them to your dog intentionally, as they can be a choking hazard.

What’s the best tasting cantaloupe?

11 of the Best Cantaloupe Cultivars

• Charentais.
• El Gordo Hybrid.
• Hearts of Gold.
• Olympic Express Hybrid.
• Planters Jumbo.
• Sarah’s Choice Hybrid.
• Top Mark.
• Zena.