A few weeks ago, Prevention Magazine‘s editor-in-chief, Liz Vaccariello, invited me on her show, “In the Kitchen With Liz” to answer the question how to choose a ripe melon at the supermarket.
For honey dew and cantaloupe melons, it’s a three-step test: Sniff, Shake & Squeeze. Let me explain.
Give them a quick sniff.
Especially for honey dew melons, you want to give them a quick sniff. They should smell like fragrant flowers, that’s how you know they’re ripe. If they don’t smell, you can still buy them and let them sit out on your counter for a few days until they are just right.
Give them a shake.
When you shake a honey dew or cantaloupe melon, pay attention if the seeds are loose – if they are, then the melon is ripe.
Give them a squeeze.
When you squeeze a melon on the side, it shouldn’t be hard as a rock – it should give a little. Now, obviously you don’t want a spoiled melon, so it shouldn’t be too “squeezable” either!
How do you test water melons? One thing you can do is give it a quick knock. If it sounds like a dull thud, then it’s probably nice, juicy and ripe. For more specific tips, watch the Prevention video…
Are you ready to look better, feel more energized, and get back that youthful feeling you remember having as a kid? I can help you on a journey that will change the way you eat — for good. My 
As a healthy cooking expert, health coach and TV host, 
Will a cantaloupe ripen if green when bought and if so how long should it take?
I would guess around 5 days on the counter top. And always go for melons in season, summer!
what do i do once, i cut in half, a melon that is hard and not ripe?
how can i ripen it? thanks.
Yes that’s a dilemma! Once you cut the melon it’s hard to ripen it further. I suggest grilling hard pieces of melon like cantaloupe and honey dew 🙂
Putting it in the fridge can ripen it some if you cut it too soon. The sugars in the fruit still work to ripen it in the fridge.
Should it be sealed or can it be exposed to air when putting in fridge after cut?
Definitely wrapped in plastic wrap before you refrigerate so it doesn’t pick up the flavors in the fridge.
Ripe honeydews will have a surface that resists a finger moving across its surface – if it is slick it is not ripe if there is friction it is close to ripe…
Cool tip Richard, thanks!!
What if the skin of the cantaloupe has red spots?