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.
How can you tell a ripe honeydew melon?
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 do you pick sweet honeydew?
Push your fingers on the round section where the vine was attached (this is often referred to as the “blossom end”). The ripe honeydew should be slightly soft and springy, and it should smell fresh and faintly sweet. You should also feel fine ridges in the skin, whereas less ripe melons will have smoother skin.
What color should a ripe honeydew be?
creamy yellow
Ripe honeydew melons are characterized by a creamy yellow rind, light green, juicy flesh, and a slightly soft blossom end. Honeydews are picked while they are still firm which is characterized by a whiter rind color with slight green tinge and a hard blossom end.
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 ripen a honeydew melon quickly?
She recommends that you ripen them faster in a perforated paper bag. When ripe, refrigerate. Cut melons should be wrapped in plastic to contain the odor. Do not remove the seeds until ready to eat because the seeds keep the flesh from drying out.
Can you eat unripe honeydew?
An immature honeydew melon will remain hard, bland, and, frankly, inedible, so it’s vital they are picked once they’ve moved over to maturity. The confusion between mature and immature melons comes about because mature honeydews can still be unripe.
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 I store honeydew melon?
Honeydew melons should be stored at room temperature when whole to soften and become juicier. If it’s already quite ripe or once cut, store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
How can you tell if a melon is good?
“Knock” on the surface. Holding the melon in your hands, give the surface a light knock. It should have a deep hollow sound, which means the melon is ripe and juicy. Give it a Sniff.
Will melons ripen after picking?
However, the melons will continue to ripen after being picked. Their sugar does not change after harvest, so they don’t get sweeter with age. However, they do become more desirable to eat because the flesh continues to soften and the melon becomes juicier, the University of California-Davis reports.
What Colour should honeydew melon be?
creamy yellow color
Consider the color.
The rind of a ripe honeydew will be a bright, creamy yellow color.
What’s a good honeydew?
A ripe honeydew melon has a smooth, waxy surface. Melons should also be firm, but not rock-hard. A melon with no “give” is unripe, but a soft melon is overripe. The bottom end of a honeydew melon, opposite of the stem end, should feel softer than the rest of the melon, however.
How long will a honeydew melon last?
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. The picture gets somewhat bleaker once you’ve sliced into your fruit.
Why is my honeydew melon orange inside?
Here’s what I learned. The Orange-Fleshed honeydew is a hybrid variety of muskmelon created by crossing a green fleshed honeydew with a orange fleshed muskmelon. It has a notably high concentration of beta carotene, making it one of the most Vitamin C dense of honeydew melon varieties.
How long does honeydew last once cut?
To maximize the shelf life of cut honeydew melon, wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place in covered container or resealable plastic bag and refrigerate. How long does cut honeydew melon last in the fridge? Properly stored, cut honeydew melon will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Can dogs eat honeydew?
Dogs can eat honeydew melon after you remove the seeds and rind. The melon has many vitamins and nutrients, and honeydew’s high water content makes it a hydrating treat for all dog breeds.
How do you pick a good watermelon honeydew or cantaloupe?
Give the melon a little thump.
A ripe melon will sound hollow and rumbly, whereas an unripe melon will sound solid and thick.
Should melons be refrigerated?
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.
Is Honey Dew healthy?
Honeydew is naturally low in both fat and cholesterol, making it a quick and healthy source of energy for your body. Honeydew is also packed with vitamins and minerals, including: Vitamin C. Vitamin A.
Do melons 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.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.