How to cut melons and scoop melon balls
Find out how to slice a melon and use the melon baller to cut out the perfect fruit every time.
problem solved
Finding the perfect cantaloupe takes practice. Fortunately, you already have the tools you need: your senses. Here are some tips for bringing home fruit that you’ll actually enjoy eating when you cut it.
One of the first tips for choosing the perfect melon is its weight. “A ripe cantaloupe feels heavy, but when you press it, it crumples a little,” says Lisa Valente, R.D., a registered dietitian based near Burlington, Vermont. The average cantaloupe weighs between 3 and 5 pounds, with heavier melons indicating more juice and a sweeter flavor. Tapping the cantaloupe to make a dull sound is also helpful when picking the fruit.
Another great indicator of a ripe melon is its golden color. “You want to avoid too much greenery under the husk or netting,” Valente explains. Note that although melons continue to ripen after being harvested, their actual sugar content does not change. When checking the color, also keep an eye out for blemishes on the outer skin. “If your fruit has dents, soft spots, or cracks in the skin, those are signs of damage and are places where mold and bacteria can start to grow,” she says. “If you see mold-like spots on your cantaloupe, it’s best to throw it away or compost it.”
What is one of the best tools for picking ripe cantaloupes? Your nose. “When I smell the flower end of a cantaloupe, the opposite end from where the stem was, I want to smell a sweet, floral smell, almost like honey,” Valente says. “If it doesn’t smell, it might not be ripe yet.”
Your ability to pick also affects how long the fruit will last at home. “It depends on how soft it is when you buy it,” she says. “Cantaloupe can last for several days if stored in the store, but whole melons will last about seven days if stored in the refrigerator.”
By engaging all of your senses and with a little practice, you can perfect your cantaloupe shopping skills.
