Nothing says “summer” like a sweet and juicy melon! (Especially an extra-refreshing watermelon.) That’s why getting home and finding you’ve purchased a lackluster cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon is so disappointing. This guide will show you how to tell if a melon is ripe before you make your decision in the produce section.
Conventional wisdom says thumping a melon is the best way to tell if it’s sweet and juicy. But here’s what you should do first:
How to Pick a Watermelon
Start be looking at the skin’s “finish.” A ripe watermelon will have a dull skin—which is somewhat unexpected. You also don’t want to see bruises, spots or cracks. You’ll also notice most watermelons develop a spot where they rest on the ground, and when it’s yellow (and you don’t see any stripes on the patch), the melon should be ripe and ready to slice.
After all that, you can tap or thump the melon with your palm—a ripe watermelon should sound hollow and make a thunk sound.
Frosty Watermelon Ice
Cool and Creamy Watermelon Pie
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Tangy Watermelon Salad
Juicy Watermelon Salad
Ancho Garlic Steaks with Summer Salsa
Watermelon and Spinach Salad
Mojito Marinated Fruit
Watermelon Tomato Salad
Strawberry Watermelon Slush
Yellow Squash & Watermelon Salad
Watermelon Gazpacho
Spicy Watermelon Salsa
Melon with Serrano-Mint Syrup
Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade
Melon-Berry Salad
Watermelon Cups
Watermelon Chocolate Chip Sorbet
Frozen Watermelon Lemon Cream Tarts
Mixed Fruit with Lemon-Basil Dressing
Watermelon Feta Flag Salad
Watermelon Vodka Sorbet
Watermelon Spritzer
How to Pick a Cantaloupe or Honeydew
To choose a cantaloupe or honeydew, start by checking the number of segments or dark furrows. The more the better! Then, give the melon a sniff where it was attached to the vine. 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. Like the watermelon, a dull honeydew is a ripe honeydew.
Mojito Marinated Fruit
Cantaloupe A La Mode
Cool and Creamy Watermelon Pie
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Watermelon Gazpacho
Cantaloupe Ice Pops
Spicy Watermelon Salsa
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Frosty Watermelon Ice
Colorful Fruit Kabobs
Ancho Garlic Steaks with Summer Salsa
Watermelon Cups
Honey-Melon Salad with Basil
Strawberry Melon Fizz
Spicy Shrimp & Watermelon Kabobs
Tangy Watermelon Salad
Summer Tea Sandwiches
Watermelon Shark
Frozen Watermelon Lemon Cream Tarts
Iced Melon Moroccan Mint Tea
Cool Watermelon Pops
Mint Watermelon Salad
Creamy Cantaloupe Pops
Fresh Fruit Bowl
Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon Relish
Yellow Squash & Watermelon Salad
Citrus-Melon Sorbet
Honeydew & Prosciutto Salad
Watermelon and Tomato Salad
Cucumber-Melon Smoothies
Summer Splash Chicken Salad
Watermelon Vodka Sorbet
Melon with Serrano-Mint Syrup
Melon-Berry Salad
Sonoran Sunset Watermelon Ice
Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade
Blueberry Cantaloupe Salad
Minty Watermelon Salad
Watermelon and Spinach Salad
Do Some Heavy Lifting
Before you make your final decision, pick up the melon and make sure it feels heavy for its size. Compare a few similar-sized melons to find the heftiest one. If there’s a stem, it should not be squishy-soft but should yield to gentle pressure from your thumb. If there’s no stem, check the blossom end (that’s the opposite end) the same way.
No matter which melon is on the menu, taking the time to use all of your senses will yield juicy results!
Psst… See what melon keeps ripening after you buy it—and what melon doesn’t.