How to pick a ripe cantaloupe
There is nothing worse than buying an expensive cantaloupe only to cut into it when you get home and find out it's either rock hard or soft and mushy.
There are some simple steps you can take to make sure your cantaloupe is just ripe enough to eat right now! You won't have to wait a week to eat it and you won't waste money if it's too ripe!
PICK THE CANTALOUPE UP -- A ripe cantaloupe will feel heavy for it's size. If it feels too light, it may not be ripe enough to eat right now. But it's a good choice if you plan on eating it in a few days.
SMELL THE CANTALOUPE -- You might see people smelling their cantaloupe and you probably have smelled one too, but you may not know what you are supposed to smell! Stick your nose where on the stem end and sniff. A ripe cantaloupe should smell sweet or flowerlike. If there is no smell at all, it's not ripe and can be purchased for eating at a later date. If there is a musty smell do not buy it! It's overly ripe and will not be good to eat.
LOOK AT THE CANTALOUPE -- A perfectly ripe melon should have an even color an no wrinkles or dents. If it's dented or has an uneven shape it's too ripe. Put it back.
SQUEEZE THE CANTALOUPE -- Squeeze and poke the cantaloupe all over to make sure there are no squishy parts. If it feels squishy it's too ripe. If it's rock hard it can be purchased for eating later on.
THUMP THE CANTALOUPE -- Flick your finger against the cantaloupe or knock on it with your knuckles. A ripe melon should have a hollow sound. If it doesn't, it is not ripe enough to eat right away but is good for later.
Local Shopping: If you live in Sanford or near the Sanford/Springvale area, you can shop for fresh cantaloupes and plenty of other fresh fruits and vegetables at the Farmers Market. The Sanford Farmers’ Market is open each Saturday from 8:00am to Noon through the summer and into the fall harvest. The Sanford Farmers’ Market is conveniently located at Gowen Park, on Main Street/ US Route 109 in Sanford, next to the Sanford Junior High School.
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