![]() Watermelons have the highest water content of all melons at roughly 92–95%. Most melons have a water content of 85–95%, with the remaining consisting of sugar, fiber, and other nutrients. But if the melon sounds too liquid or sloppy, its flesh has most likely begun to break down and overripe. If it sounds stiff with a few seeds rattling around, the melon is ready to be devoured. ![]() Some melons, like the honeydew, can also be slightly shaken to check their ripeness. On the other hand, an underripe melon is likely to make a thumping sound because of the thicker rind. A perfectly ripe melon will make a hollow and deep sound. All you have to do is gently knock on the surface and listen to the sound it makes. Most of us are familiar with the ‘tapping’ method of checking melons. However, if the smell is too strong, the melon might be overripe. If it has a sweet and floral fragrance, you’ve likely got your hand on the right melon. You should also give the stem area a quick whiff and see how it smells. If the stem is still attached or green in color, it’s an instant sign that you’re buying an unripe melon. Good melons always have a dry and brownish colored stem area that indicates it hasn’t been harvested prematurely. Examine and smell the stem areaįor even more surety of the melon’s ripeness, it’s a good idea to examine the stem area. And the higher the water content, the sweeter the melon. What this helps you do is select the densest melon with the highest water content. After that, compare the melon’s size and pick one which feels heaviest for its size. ![]() You can use your judgment or the store’s weighing scale for this step. Once you’ve got down the appearance, weigh the melon and compare it with its size. A deeper color means even more time spent in the sun, and ultimately a sweeter watermelon. Luckily, it’s also a great indicator of how much time the watermelon has spent under the sun and how ripe it is.Īlways pick a watermelon that has a creamy or yellow patch because it’s likely to be the tastiest of all. This spot where the melon makes contact develops a pale/white color and is typically found on the underside. When a melon gets too heavy for the vine to support, it falls to the ground till it’s harvested. This step is specifically useful while selecting a watermelon. Remember, the best melons always have a symmetrical and uniform shape, whether they’re round or oval. As for muskmelons, they should have a soft and fuzzy rind because some of the sugar naturally surfaces when they fully ripen. ![]() A good-quality melon would be in perfect physical condition and should have a smooth surface with no flaws whatsoever.Īlso, stay away from watermelons that are too shiny as they’re probably unripe. Rule out any dents or imperfectionsĪfter you’ve got down the right color, check the surface of the melon and look for any signs of damage, such as dents, cracks, tears, or uneven surfaces. If the color is any lighter than the criteria mentioned above, it’s likely unripe and would take several days to weeks to become edible. For cantaloupes and their relative species, the color should be pale-goldish with thick, white webbing.Īs for honeydews and other muskmelons, the ideal color is usually yellow or gold, which indicates the melon is at optimal ripeness. Watermelons turn bright green and have deep-greenish streaks when they’re at peak ripeness. When inspecting a melon, the very first thing you should notice is its color. With these few simple steps, you can become a master at picking the sweetest and juiciest ripe melon of any species from the basket. In the end, most of us just leave it to luck to find us the best melon from the bunch. We’ve all been in a situation where no melon seems to click with us at the supermarket. The Japanese often gift these melons at the festival of Chūgen. It is cultivated with great care and grown in selected greenhouses inside the city of Yubari. The melon is a cross between two breeds of cantaloupes and is treasured for its extremely sweet flesh and amazing texture. Yubari MelonĪn exotic hybrid from Japan, the Yubari Melon (also called Yubari King), has made records for being auctioned at millions of Yuans on multiple occasions. Due to its faster harvesting period, the melon has made its way to the Americas and European countries as well. On the outside, Skyrockets have a round shape and webbed rind that is either green or brown in color. It’s a close relative of the honeydew melon and features the same juicy and lightly sweet flavor, albeit with a chewier texture. Originating from New Zealand, this hybrid melon is now extremely popular in many parts of Southeast Asia.
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