How can you tell if melons are ripe?

Answer 1

The best way is to check two things. First is it greenish under the webbing that covers the melon or has it started to turn golden? If it's very green, it's probably not ripe. If it's at least starting to turn golden that's a good sign. Sometimes they keep some green even after they are very ripe. Second, does it smell like a melon? Put the end where the stem was up to you nose and give it a good smell. If you can smell cantaloupe it's probably ripe.

Also, be sure that it has some "give" when you press on the flower end, then end opposite the stem where it was picked from the vine. The cantaloupe should have a smooth appearance overall, and a uniform color.

The above tips are a good guide but there there are exceptions such as, a chilled cantaloupe will not give the odor of a ripe melon. For a definitive answer to ripeness get a great reusable simple tool that has recently been invented called the ripefruitgauge.com. It works great on a number of fruit buy indicating firmness inside the fruit without cutting it open.
When you pinch the top a little and you smell the sweetness like fruity or tropical or when it is not green but, have a color of golden orange. Try picking sweet smelling fruits at the market because most of the time the fruit is pick to early, and because of this sometimes mostly with Oranges they add color to make it look ripe. Hope you enjoy and don't be fooled! ;-)

Answer 2

One way is that when the tendril (the thread-like shoot near the stalk) dies and turns brown showing it is no longer growing, this is an indication of ripeness.

Another way is by knocking on the melon, and it should sound hollow. If the sound is too shallow, this identifies that the melon is still ripening with the flesh still connected to the inside walls. Also, the part of the watermelon touching the ground should be white or yellowish in color with lighter stripes. The farmer knows the best trick of all: They know the variety that was planted, the number of days from germination to harvest, and they go by that along with these other things to finalize the exact day. Knocking can be subjective in that its hard to tell someone else how it should sound. It's a way to determine if the fruit is not growing and is soft and full of "water", not green and hard, but the other ways are much more accurate. All these things combined should ensure watermelons are picked at the right time, but be assured that it is a tricky process that sometimes goes amiss. Bitter experience is sometimes the best teacher!

Answer 3

stem drys up, good color, has a ripe smell, sounds kinda hollow when thumped,
Many go by smell but if the cantaloupe is cold the fragrance will be muted. You can also feel for a soft spot at the end opposite the stem. The most reliable way is to use a new invention called a ripepen.com

Answer 4

When ripe, Crenshaw melons are yellowish in color all over, and have a sweet aroma. They will also yield a little if gently pressed at the end where the blossom was. They can be picked slightly under-ripe and will still ripen if left for a few days.

Answer 5

A ripe Cantaloupe is difficult to judge from external appearance only and short of cutting it open in the store it can be hit and miss to find a good one. The best way is to look for a melon that is firm and has no soft patches. Skin blemishes are irrelevant and unless they penetrate the skin should be ignored. Check the end of the melon which was attached to the plant (this will be the end with a small indentation) and take a good smell. A ripe melon should have a slightly sweet smell, an unripe melon little or no smell and an old melon will smell slighty rotten.

Answer 6

If it is a watermelon look at the end where the stem was and if it is dark it is ripe. The darker the end the higher the sugar content in the melon. I always thump the melon and if it makes a hollow sound it is good. If it is a cantaloupe smell it and then press the end of the melon. If it gives it is ripe, if it is hard it isn't. The smell should be earthy cantaloupe smell. The color of the melon should be a nice whitish gray and I always pick nicely shaped melons. I have grown up where cantaloupes are grown.

Answer 7

I have a garden and I've always pulled my melons when the stem becomes brown.

Answer 8

Generally, you can tell if a melon (growing from the garden) is ripe when the stem turns brownish in color.

Answer 9

Feel it at the point where stem was, if ripe it's starting to get soft.