How to Tell if Your Melon is Ripe and Ready to Eat

Hello friends, I have fond memories of sitting under a shady tree and eating a slice of watermelon bigger than my head! I was all covered in sticky juice. I think I enjoyed the mess just as much as eating it. As I got older adding salt to a slice of melon was my favorite.

Hubby and I were at the market the other day and we saw so many melons! He was having a “hankering” but it couldn’t be satisfied. There were plenty of melons of all varieties but none were ripe. He asked me, ” how do you know if a cantaloupe is ripe?” He wanted some “woman splaining”. I thought I’d share what I know with you. When you’re having a “hankering,” few things are as wonderful as enjoying a ripe, juicy melon. Especially on a hot summer day. (smile)

The truth is the quest for that ideal sweetness can often feel like a guessing game. Are you thumping it right? Sniffing with purpose? Looking for bee stings? Today it’s my goal to help you find the sweetest melons.

My General Melon Wisdom

There are some universal indicators of ripeness to keep in mind. The weight or size of a ripe melon should feel surprisingly heavy for its size. This indicates it’s full of water and sugar!I hope you will find my tips helpful.

Lets start with everyone’s summer favorite, the watermelon.

Watermelon

The Sniff Test
I always give the melon a good sniff, especially around the stem end. A ripe melon will have a noticeably sweet, smell. If there’s no smell, or it smells sour, pass!
The Field Spot
The field spot, which I refer to as the melon tat (tattoo) is also a great indicator. Look for a yellowish or creamy-yellow patch on one side of the melon. This is where the melon rested on the ground and ripened in the sun. If it’s white or green, it’s probably not fully ripe.
The Thump Test
This is the most common method. Give the watermelon a firm thump with your knuckles. A ripe watermelon will produce a deep, hollow sound, almost like knocking on a door. An unripe one will sound dull or flat, while an overripe one will sound like a “thud” or feel mushy.
Check the Tendril
If you’re buying a watermelon with the stem still attached, look for a dry, shriveled tendril. This curly vine attached to the stem often indicates ripeness. If it’s green, the melon was most likely picked too early and isn’t ready.
Dull
A ripe watermelon will often have a dull rind. If it has a shiny rind, it’s not fully ripe.

Now on to the Cantaloupe

Press the Button
I find the most reliable test for cantaloupes is to gently press on the stem end (aka the button). If it gives slightly and you can smell a strong, sweet smell, it’s ripe. If the button is completely smooth and detached, and the melon feels heavy, that’s even better! It means it wasn’t picked. It naturally released itself from the vine.
Netting
A ripe cantaloupe will have deeply ridged, raised netting across its surface. The more defined the netting, the riper it tends to be.
Softness (But Not Too Soft) The entire melon should feel slightly soft when gently pressed. If it’s too hard it’s not ripe. If it’s to “mushy” its over ripened.

Next up is the Honeydew

Color
A ripe honeydew will have a creamy-yellow or even slightly golden rind, not green.
Wax
It’s difficult to write the word wax without saying wax on wax off (karate kid) giggle. It should feel slightly tacky or waxy to the touch.
Weight
Like other melons, it should feel heavy for its size.
Sound
A dull, deep sound when thumped, like watermelon is good.

The Nose Knows
Your sense of smell is one of your most powerful tools when it comes to judging any melon ripeness. A sweet smell is a strong indicator that the melons are ready to be enjoyed under a shady tree. (smile)

If you have any tried-and-true methods please share them with me. Please try and buy your melons from local farmers whenever possible fruit and veggies without a sticky label are always the best. (smile)

I look forward to seeing you back here on Thursday. For the TFT blog hop for blog writers and blog readers.