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Honeydews are ready to harvest when the rind turns completely white or yellow. Unlike cantaloupes, honeydew melons will not separate easily from the vine when mature. Mature honeydew melons will continue to ripen for several days at room temperature after they are picked.
How do you know when to pick melons?
In fact, most cantaloupes are ready to be picked once they’re fully ripened, changing from green to a tan or yellowish-gray color between the netting. A ripe melon will also exhibit a sweet and pleasant aroma. One way to tell if a melon is overripe is by looking at the rind, which will appear quite yellow and soft.
How long does it take for a honeydew melon to ripen?
Honeydew melons mature in 65 to 100 days, depending on the cultivar.
How do you ripen a honeydew melon off the vine?
Honeydew melons unusual in that they can become riper after they have been picked; simply set one into a paper bag with apples for a few days so that it can finish the ripening process using the ethylene gas released by the apples.
What season is honeydew ripe?
Honeydew is available all year round, with peak season running between June and October in the northern hemisphere. One of the trickiest parts of buying large fruits such as melon and watermelon is to tell whether they’re ripe or not.
How do you know when it’s time to pick a cantaloupe?
When rinds begin to change from green to tan or yellow, the melon is typically ripe enough to pick. Be careful not to pick too early, however. Look for a crack in the stem where it attaches to the fruit. This is a sign of ripeness as well.
How do I tell when a honeydew melon is ripe?
When ripe, the color of the rind should be a creamy yellow rather than green, and the rind will become smooth and waxy rather than dusky. If you press on the bottom of a ripe honeydew (the opposite end from where it’s attached to the vine), it should feel slightly soft or at least a little springy.
How do you ripen a honeydew melon quickly?
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 ripen a honeydew melon at home?
Set the honeydew melon in a large, brown paper grocery sack. Place two to four ripening apples or tomatoes in the bag with the honeydew. Fold the top of the bag over two times, sealing it closed. Leave the bag sitting on the corner, out of direct light, for two to three days.
Does honeydew melon ripen on the counter?
Since it won’t ripen on your counter, you can store honeydew melon in the fridge when you bring it home. Just make sure to wash the rind really well before cutting it up, since honeydew grows on the ground (and you don’t want to eat that dirt).
What can I do with unripe honeydew melon?
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.
Do melons continue to ripen after picking?
However, the melons will continue to ripen after being picked. Their sugar does not change after harvest, so they don’t get sweeter with age. However, they do become more desirable to eat because the flesh continues to soften and the melon becomes juicier, the University of California-Davis reports.
Are honeydew and cantaloupe the same?
Honeydew melon and cantaloupe are two members of the same species, Cucumis melo (1). Yet, though they’re closely related, they’re two distinctive fruits. They’re similarly sweet, but honeydew melon has a smooth, light-colored rind and green flesh, while cantaloupe has a darker, netted rind and orange flesh (1, 2 ).
What is cantaloupe season?
From June through August, cantaloupes are at their peak of flavor. Along with tasting great, they’re an excellent source of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Whether you enjoy them sliced, cubed or halved, cantaloupes are a refreshing, healthy addition to salads, desserts, beverages and more.
Is honeydew good for you?
Honeydew is naturally low in both fat and cholesterol, making it a quick and healthy source of energy for your body. Honeydew is also packed with vitamins and minerals, including: Vitamin C. Vitamin A.
How do you know when to pick a watermelon off the vine?
Answer: Harvest watermelons when the underside or belly of the fruit turns from a greenish white to buttery yellow or cream. This color change is especially pronounced on the dark green skinned varieties. In addition, the fruit tends to lose its slick appearance on top and becomes dull when ripe.
How can you tell when a cantaloupe is ripe and sweet?
Feel it: A good cantaloupe should feel firm all over—but not rock hard. If you find any soft or squishy spots, that’s usually a sign of rotting. Gently press the blossom end: you should feel a bit of give. Pick it up: A good cantaloupe should feel heavy.
How do you tell if a cantaloupe is ripe from the outside?
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 do you pick a ripe cantaloupe?
The melon should be firm but not too soft or too hard. Smell the melon at the stem core (where it was cut) and it should have a good cantaloupe smell; those without smell are under-ripe, and those with unpleasing odor are over-ripe.
How many cantaloupe grow on a plant?
One plant can produce up to 8 cantaloupes, but it depends on your area’s cantaloupe variety and conditions.
Why is my honeydew melon orange inside?
The Orange-Fleshed honeydew’s cross-pollination was purposely and purposefully intended to improve upon the honeydew and cantaloupe; their best attributes developed and highlighted within a singular variety.
Can you ripen a melon in the microwave?
Place the piece of unripe fruit in the microwave. Heat it on medium power for 15 seconds.
How long does melon take to ripen?
Melons typically ripen over a short period of time, up to 3 to 4 weeks for cantaloupes. As soon as one melon is ripe, the others won’t be far behind. About a week before a melon is ripe, minimize watering to just enough to keep vines from wilting. This lets vines concentrate sugars in the fruit.
