If the fruit’s rind is green, that means that it’s unripe. A sweet and juicy cantaloupe will have a yellow, beige, or tan hue beneath its netted texture.
How can you tell if cantaloupe is sweet?
A ripe cantaloupe should have an overall sweet smell, but I get the absolute best melon by putting my nose close to the blossom end (the end opposite the stem). It should smell sweet and slightly musky. If it doesn’t smell good, I don’t buy it.
Which cantaloupe is sweetest?
The sweetest cantaloupe varieties are ‘Charentais’ and ‘Sugar Cube’. The scrumptious sweetness and smooth dense texture of these French-style melons will rival any dessert.
What color should cantaloupe be inside?
A ripe cantaloupe should have a beige webbing pattern. That netting should look like raised ridges. And underneath, the cantaloupe should either be cream-colored, sandy gold, yellow, or tan. If the rind is still green or grey, it’s not ripe enough.
How can you tell if a Cantelope is good?
Cantaloupe: Color, Smell and a Slight Tug
The first signal that a cantaloupe (or a muskmelon) is getting ripe is the color under the netting of the fruit changes from green to tan. A ripe cantaloupe also tends to have a pleasant aroma. Finally, check the spot at top of the melon where it attaches to the vine.
Why are my cantaloupe not sweet?
Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) flavor depends upon environmental conditions. High rainfall or excessive irrigation as the cantaloupes near maturity will adversely affect fruit flavor. Also, diseases which reduce the vigor of the plant and the leaves’ ability to produce sugar will affect fruit flavor.
How do you get the sweetest cantaloupe?
8 Tips for Growing The Sweetest Melons
- Start with the Sweetest Varieties.
- Sow Seeds Early.
- Find Your Warmest Microclimate.
- Accentuate the Sun’s Rays.
- Don’t Crowd Your Melons.
- Sweetness Starts in the Soil.
- Water Heavily – But not During Ripening.
- Pick at the Pinnacle of Ripeness.
What are small sweet cantaloupes called?
With their abundant fruits, small size and sweet, deep orange flesh, Sugar Cubes are true summer treats – the whole family will enjoy these delicious personal sized melons!
What is the best month to buy cantaloupe?
From June through August, cantaloupes are at their peak of flavor. Along with tasting great, they’re an excellent source of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C.
What is the best type of 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.
What does a fully ripe cantaloupe look like?
In fact, most cantaloupes are ready to be picked once they’re fully ripened, changing from green to a tan or yellowish-gray color between the netting. A ripe melon will also exhibit a sweet and pleasant aroma. One way to tell if a melon is overripe is by looking at the rind, which will appear quite yellow and soft.
What color is a ripe cantaloupe?
The color of your ideal ripe cantaloupe should be a beige or sandy-gold. Try your best to stay away from those that are still green. This means they are unripe and not ready to consume.
What does a good cantaloupe look like inside?
Beige Color: The skin should be tan with a pale yellow color between the netting, while the flesh will be a coral-orange color. Firm to the Touch: The surface of the cantaloupe should be firm like a pineapple, but not hard like a watermelon.
Will a cantaloupe ripen on the counter?
For the consumer, this means watermelon and similar fruit can be eaten as soon as you bring it home no matter what time of the year it is. However, cantaloupe and similar melons bought in winter probably need to be held at room temperature for a few days or more to allow it to improve.
Does cantaloupe ripen in the refrigerator?
A: You can ripen cantaloupe at room temperature, but it will go quickly from ripe to overripe. Melon stored in the fridge can develop a rubbery texture and lose a lot of flavor quickly, so keep them at room temperature.
Does putting salt on cantaloupe make it sweeter?
In small doses, salt magnifies melons sweetness and enhances the flavor. Try it and see just how much better your melon tastes.
Will cantaloupe sweeten after being cut?
However, cantaloupes — unlike most melons — can be ripened by exposure to the ethylene gas that bananas, apples and some other fruits emit. This creates the perception of greater sweetness because it softens their flesh and makes them more aromatic and flavorful. Unfortunately, that process stops once they’re cut.
Does cantaloupe get sweeter after you cut it?
Unlike other fruits, melons do not develop any sugars once they are harvested, so the cantaloupe will not become any sweeter after you remove it from the vine.
Should whole cantaloupe 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.
What is the difference between cantaloupe and sweet melon?
The bottom line
Honeydew melon has a smooth, light-colored rind and green flesh, while cantaloupe has a darker, netted rind and orange flesh. Both are sweet and nutritious, but cantaloupe contains more vitamin C and provitamin A. It also carries a greater risk of being contaminated with harmful bacteria.
What is the sweetest tasting melon?
Honey Globe Melon
Many describe this type of melon as one of high quality and extremely sweet. And it’s the delicious taste of the Honey Globe that sets this apart from other melons. The light green flesh is thick and succulent and, because over 15% of its weight is sugar, it’s one of the sweetest melons.