Here's How To Pick The Tastiest Cantaloupe Every Time
NEWS
By JULIA MULLANEY
Cantaloupes are at their best during June through August. Beyond that, you'll want to examine it for things like color, firmness, and scent.
American cantaloupes have a weblike skin, usually a light green color with cream-colored "netting" throughout. Look for thick netting, and feel the fruit for firmness.
Make sure there isn't a stem. Cantaloupes shouldn't be picked until their stems come off with ease, so no stem means it was picked at the proper time.
Press down on where the stem used to be, and see if the cantaloupe feels a little soft. This is a good sign that it's ripe. If you can hardly press down at all, it needs more time.
Pick up the cantaloupe and take a whiff, noticing the distinctive melon aroma that is sweet enough but with a hint of fragrant, funky musk.
Give the cantaloupe a light shake to see if you hear any seeds rumbling around. That's a sign the seeds have fallen, meaning the cantaloupe is no longer fresh.