The melon’s green rind will take on a creamy yellowish color. If the color is right, gently push on the end of the melon opposite from the stem. If there is a slight give, the melon is probably ripe. These don’t come off the vine as easily as cantaloupes, so use a knife or scissors to cut the melon from the vine.
How can you tell when a melon is ripe on the vine?
Signs of ripeness include: The spot where the fruit touches the ground becomes more prominent and changes color (typically yellow). The tendril closest to the fruit becomes brown and dries up. Ripe melons have a hollow, dull sound.
How can you tell if a melon is sweet?
It should have a subtle, sweet smell but not a strong one (that’s a sign of an over-ripe fruit). Be sure to check the melon’s color and tone. The best and sweetest cantaloupe should have golden undertones.
Do melons continue to ripen off the vine?
Some, like watermelon, do not continue to ripen once harvested. Therefore, flavor will not improve nor will they become sweeter—t is what it is at harvest. However, cantaloupe and similar fruit will continue to ripen after harvest.
What does a ripe cantaloupe on the vine look like?
A ripe cantaloupe will have beige, tan, creamy yellow or golden rind. Green rind indicates that the fruit is unripe. The fruit will have a raised, textured webbing on its exterior. Don’t be concerned with discoloration – this is usually just the spot where the melon rested on the ground while being grown in the field.
How long does it take for melons to ripen?
80 to 90 days
Melons can take 80 to 90 days to ripen and can’t thrive outdoors until the soil is warmed to about 65 to 70 degrees.
How do you pick sweet melons?
How to Pick Out a Good Melon
- Check the Weight. You want to choose a melon that feels heavy for its size.
- Look for Flaws. Some melon-skin flaws are bad—like cracks and bruises.
- Check for a Field Spot.
- Smell the Melon.
- Tap the Melon.
- Take a Break.
- Try Again.
Will honeydew melon ripen at home?
Nope. Unfortunately, melons don’t ripen after they’re harvested, so what you buy is what you get. But if you slice into a honeydew and it happens to be underripe, don’t despair. You can try blending it into smoothies or making a gazpacho, or tossing slices on the grill to bring out some of its sweetness.
How do you know when a melon is fit?
How to Tell if a Watermelon is Perfectly Ripe
- Pick it up. A ripe watermelon should feel heavy for its size.
- Look for the yellow spot.
- Give it a good spanking.
- Look for a uniform shape.
- Find the sugar spot.
- Go for dull.
Can you leave a watermelon on the vine too long?
Like any fruit, it will last well if you leave it on the vine, but that doesn’t mean you should leave it forever. The plant will cut off water and nutrient supply to the fruit after it’s ripe, and the fruit will start to lose its flavor and sweetness, and it will eventually start to decay in the heat.
When should you pick cantaloupe from the vine?
How and When to Harvest Cantaloupes
- When rinds begin to change from green to tan or yellow, the melon is typically ripe enough to pick.
- Look for a crack in the stem where it attaches to the fruit.
- Harvest melon when vines are dry, and be careful not to damage them.
How can you tell when a cantaloupe is ripe and sweet?
You should give the blossom end of the fruit (the same side you just pressure tested) a good sniff. A ripe cantaloupe will smell sweet, floral, and musky. If the scent is very faint or if there’s no smell at all, then the fruit is not ripe yet.
How long does it take for a cantaloupe to ripen?
about 80 to 90 days
Cantaloupe matures in about 80 to 90 days. Melons are normally ready to harvest when they start turning yellow on the bottom and the stem starts turning brown.
Can you ripen a melon in the microwave?
Exposing unripe fruit to ripe fruit increases the unripe fruit’s exposure to ethylene gas to speed up the process. Combining ethylene gas with the heat from a microwave helps kickstart the process.
What do you do with a cut unripe melon?
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.
How long does it take Mellon to mature?
100 to 130 days
For growing outdoors, melons need on average 100 to 130 days from seeding to harvesting. However, if you are planning to grow melon from seed, there are some facts you need to know. First, melon seeds require at least 18 °C (64 °F) soil temperature in order to germinate.
How many cantaloupes will one plant produce?
Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.
How do you make honeydew ripen faster?
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.
How do you store melons?
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.
Will a cantaloupe ripen after it’s cut?
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.
Is honeydew and melon the same?
They are both sweet, but their appearance is different. Honeydew has a smooth, light-colored rind and green flesh, while cantaloupe has a darker, netted rind and orange flesh. They both share similar nutritional benefits except for vitamin C and beta-carotene.