How do you buy a sweet 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.

Also question is, how do you tell if a cantaloupe is ripe?

2 Answers. Cantaloupe should feel heavier than it looks and smell musky and sweet. Also you should be able to press your thumb in slightly on the bottom and there shouldn't be a lip around the stem. the smell of the melon, peaches, etc. will tell you if they are ripe.

Also, what is the best season for cantaloupe? In the U.S., cantaloupe's best season is from June till August. The rest of the year, cantaloupe is generally shipped from South America, so by the time it's in stores, it will have been off the vine for a while. It should feel a little heavy for its size.

Also to know, how do you ripen a cantaloupe from the store?

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 do you buy a sweet watermelon?

How to Pick a Watermelon at the Grocery Store

Pick it up: Big or small, the watermelon should feel heavy for its size.
Look for the yellow spot: Watermelons develop a splotch where they rest on the ground. When this splotch is creamy yellow, it's ripe.
Give it a thump: Tap the underbelly of the watermelon.

36 Related Question Answers Found

Should uncut cantaloupe be refrigerated?

That depends a lot on whether you've cut it up or not. A whole, uncut cantaloupe or honeydew melon should last for seven to 10 days in the refrigerator. But if you're storing it outside the fridge, put it in the fridge about three hours before you plan to eat it in order to cool it down to just the right temperature.”

How long does it take for a cantaloupe to ripen?

35 to 45 days

How do you sweeten an unripe cantaloupe?

Sprinkle sugar or sugar substitute onto the cantaloupe. Toss the cantaloupe gently with the sugar until it has been evenly distributed. Try a piece of cantaloupe. If it still needs to be sweetened, sprinkle more sugar and toss the cantaloupe again.

How do you soften a cantaloupe?

Place the fruit in a brown paper bag rolled closed at the top to help the melon to ripen faster for eating. Once you've already cut the cantaloupe it needs to be refrigerated, which slows any further softening.

What can I do with under ripe cantaloupe?

Uses for an Unripe 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.

Why does cantaloupe taste like nail polish remover?

If there is a sweet smell and slightly musky scent, that's the sign of a good cantaloupe. If you smell something similar to alcohol or nail polish remover, the melon is fermented and on the verge of going very, very bad.

How do you pick a sweet 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.

Will cantaloupe ripen after cutting?

Cantaloupe will not ripen after it has been cut open, so if you cut open your melon and discover that it is still unripe, there is nothing you can do to salvage it. As such, you must be very certain that the cantaloupe is ripe before cutting into it.

How can you tell if a pineapple is ripe?

First, you should be able to smell the distinctive pineapple smell when you put your nose close to the bottom of the fruit. Second, the pineapple should have a small amount of “give” when squeezed gently. I once learned that you can tell that a pineapple is ready by tugging on one of the inner leaves.

Can cantaloupe be frozen?

Frozen cantaloupe tastes best when consumed while it's still a little frosty. To freeze cantaloupe successfully, start with fresh, ripe melons. If your cantaloupe is mushy, you can still freeze it, but it will emerge from the freezer with a mushier texture.

Do watermelons ripen off the vine?

Unlike some fruits, watermelons do not ripen further once they are off the vine.

How do you wash a cantaloupe?

How To Wash Cantaloupes And Other Melons

Rinse the melon under running water. (Don't place it into water and let it sit, as the skin is porous.)
At this point we add mild soap and scrub the melon well with a soft vegetable brush.
Rinse well under cool water.
The next step is extremely important: As important as rinsing well is patting dry with paper towels.

How do know when a mango is ripe?

Squeeze gently to judge ripeness. A ripe mango will give slightly, indicating soft flesh inside. Use your experience with produce such as peaches or avocados, which also become softer as they ripen. Ripe mangos will sometimes have a fruity aroma at their stem ends.

How long is watermelon season?

The 5 most popular are seeded, seedless, mini, yellow and orange flesh. Watermelon season runs throughout the summer -- from May to September -- but the exact range depends on where you live, Keep an eye out at your local farmers market. You can't miss these big guys, and there will be plenty at peak season.

Should you wash cantaloupe before cutting?

Wash your cantaloupe: By scrubbing the exterior of the fruit with antibacterial soap, you can remove harmful bacteria from the rind before you cut into it. Washing the rind is a simple step, but it can make all the difference. This means that cantaloupe grows bacteria easily and can spoil when left at room temperature.

What season is pineapple?

For Hawaiian pineapples, the main fruiting season is from April to May. Pineapples grown in the Caribbean have two fruiting seasons, December through February and August through September.

How long is cantaloupe season?

Peak season: August through September. 2. Galia (pictured): The light-green flesh inside this melon is sweeter than that of the American cantaloupe; it's often reserved for dessert. Peak season: May through August.