4 Ways To Tell if a Cantaloupe Is Ripe

It's tricky to tell whether or not a cantaloupe is ripe. Unlike some other fruits, the outside appearance of cantaloupe gives little information about what's going on inside the melon. It's important to know whether or not a cantaloupe is ripe because many cantaloupe varieties stop ripening once they're picked, so what you buy is what you get. Here's what you need to know about cantaloupe, plus a step-by-step expert guide to tell if it's ripe and ready to enjoy.

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How Can You Tell If A Cantaloupe Is Ripe?

1. Apply pressure. Apply pressure to the blossom end of the cantaloupe (opposite of the stem end). "If it gives a little, it’s a good indication that it’s ripe," says Melanie Marcus, registered dietician and founder of the site Miss Nutritious Eats.

2. Take a whiff. The way a cantaloupe smells is another good indicator. "Cantaloupe should smell sweet and musky, though the sweet smell is less of an indicator for newer varieties grown in the U.S.," Marcus explains. " A sour smell indicates it could be fermented," which means it's past its prime.

3. Examine the skin. A cantaloupe's webbing pattern can also help show whether or not it's ripe. If the webbing appears raised and beige in color, it's a good sign that it's ripe. The color underneath the webbing should also be tan or beige, not green.

4. Knock on the rind. Hold the cantaloupe up to your ear and give it a few knocks, similar to how you'd knock on a door. If it sounds hollow, the cantaloupe isn't ripe yet. The cantaloupe is ripe and ready if you hear a low, deep sound when you knock.

Do Cantaloupe Ripen On The Counter?

"New varieties of cantaloupe from California have a longer shelf life, lasting up to three weeks in the refrigerator," Marcus explains. However, they will not ripen after they are picked. "According to the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, these new varieties do not produce ethylene gas, which is commonly found in fruits that ripen after being picked," says Marcus. The absence of ethylene gas removes the possibility for cantaloupe to ripen on the counter. However, there's a trick you can use to help grocery store cantaloupes ripen.

How Do You Ripen A Cantaloupe From The Grocery Store?

If you've purchased an unripe cantaloupe from the grocery store and want it to ripen, your best bet is to borrow some ethylene gas from other fruits to help the process along. "Place the cantaloupe in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple," says Marcus. These fruits naturally produce ethylene, a gas that speeds up the ripening process. "The cantaloupe will absorb the ethylene from the other fruit and ripen faster," says Marcus. "Be sure to fold the top of the bag to trap the ethylene gas and leave it on your kitchen counter for a day or two."

Will Cantaloupe Ripen After Being Cut Up?

Cantaloupe won't ripen after being cut up, so it's important to be sure it's ripe before slicing it up. "Once cantaloupe is cut, it should be placed in the fridge until eaten," says Marcus. "It can be brought to room temperature to help maximize its flavor and sweetness. Once it is cut, the melon is ready to eat, and standard food safety guidelines should be followed."

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What Does an Unripe Cantaloupe Look Like?

"An unripe cantaloupe will have more green skin than golden beige or tan," says Marcus. "They may also appear smooth, without the typical beige netting usually found on ripe cantaloupe." When shopping for cantaloupe, it's best to avoid greener ones and look for a warm beige netting pattern that looks raised on the cantaloupe's exterior.

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