Here are four tricks our editors swear by to pick the sweetest melon at the store.
Jason Donnelly
Cantaloupe and honeydew arefruit saladregulars, but they’re not always sweet and juicy.
Avoid bland melon, and ensure your fruit is perfectly ripe right at the grocery store.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
It’s as simple as using just a few of your senses tochoose a sweet melon.
To confirm you buy a melon that was picked at its prime, look for the following clues.
When Is Melon In-Season?
You’ll see more locally-grown melons at thefarmers marketfrom June to August.
Can You Ripen Cantaloupe?
Once a melon is harvested, its sweetness and flavor are set.
Unlike some other fruits, you cannot ripen cantaloupes once they’re harvested.
As the melon sits, the flesh softens without getting any sweeter.
Here are our best Test Kitchen-approved tricks for picking a sweet and juicy melon.
Pick Them Up
When shopping for melons, we like to pick them up first.
If a melon feels lighter than the others or seems hollow, choose a different one.
“Look for melons that are free from soft spots and bruises,” says Blanchard.
Jan Miller, executive food editor, Better Homes & Gardens also examines the stem end of the melon.
“That is a sign the melon was picked too soon.”
If the melon smells sour, musty, or funky, it’s already gone bad.
Look at the Color
When choosing acantaloupeor muskmelon, look the skin first.
When the melon is ripe, the skin will be a creamy yellowish color without much green.
The “netting” on the surface should be rough and textured.
When choosing a honeydew melon, look for a yellow-hued rind.
Skip honeydew melons that appear pale or green on the outside.
Once cut, refrigerate themelon piecesin an airtight container and aim to use them within 3 days.
