canteloupe. Do they continue to ripen off the vine? How to pick a good one?

[Grumpy's Gal]

who knows something about cantaloupe?

After they are off the vine, do they continue to ripen? ( like tomatoes do)

And how do you select a good one at the store? I bought two this morning hoping one would be good. They are both “fair” so I’m hoping to find out how to pick a good one next time. Both of these seem a little under- ripe.

 

[Southernmiss]

Smell it. If it smells like cantaloupe, it's usually a good one.

 

[Christine]

Yes, they do continue to ripen but, if picked too soon, will never really get "right."

If the cantaloupe does not have a sweet smell in the store, pass it by. Also, I have found that if the non-stem end is a bit tender and the smell is good, that's a good sign.

Most of the ones in my grocery stores have no smell and never ripen well. Farmer's market is a whole different ball game!

 

[Klayfish]

Yes, the do continue to ripen but, if picked too soon, will never really get "right."

If the cantaloupe does not have a sweet smell in the store, pass it by. Also, I have found that if the non-stem end is a bit tender and the smell is good, that's a good sign.

Most of the ones in my grocery stores have no smell and never ripen well. Farmer's market is a whole different ball game!

Yep, that's how we pick them. Nice smell to them. The non-stem end should be just slightly tender. Then let it ripen at home another 24-48 hours and mmmmmmm.........

 

[cvjw]

My granddaddy grew cantaloupes and sold them to the local grocery stores.

His tip to me was to pick a smooth cantaloupe. The ones that have more texture when you pick them up haven’t finished growing.

 

[manning]

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/which-fruits-and-vegetables-continue-to-ripen-after-picking/

Fruits that do and don't ripen when picked

 

[ronandannette]

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/which-fruits-and-vegetables-continue-to-ripen-after-picking/

Fruits that do and don't ripen when picked

Very informative - thank you. We live in a place where practically all produce most of the year gets shipped thousands of miles in refrigerated trucks. It's a rare, special treat to ever get anything vine-ripened and most of what we can buy is disappointing even after it's been ripened at home.

 

[DLgal]

Find one that feels very heavy for its size, like dense. Smell it, it should smell like cantaloupe. Look for one that has more brown or yellow vs green. Let it sit at room temperature for 2-4 days. Never cut it the day you buy it. They are refrigerated in stores and haven't reached ideal ripening yet.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I buy one every week. I don't do any special tests in the store like smelling, I just pick out one that looks healthy, and has color. Then I let it sit out on the counter for several days. Most of the time, it's good. Sometimes, it's really good - soft and full of flavor. Other times, it's not that flavorful. Or hard. I do the same with a honeydew melon. And I get a watermelon, and sometimes a pineapple, too. We all try to eat fruit every day, and take it to work, etc. Some of the pre-packaged cut cantaloupe has been tainted so we like to buy it fresh and chop it up ourselves. It's a lot cheaper this way, too.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Cantaloupe will ripen, but it must be to a minimum point before picking or you'll never get maximum flavor out of it. You can get some. But you'll never get all you could have.
If there is stem left on the cantaloupe it was picked too immature. Also if it has an outie belly button, it was picked too immature. Smell your cantaloupe. It should smell like a cantaloupe. Press on the blossom end. It should give a bit. the outside should be brown beige or yellow depending upon where the color of your eyeball is set, not green, and it should be a bit inconsistent in both color and texture. A uniformly textured greenish hue again was picked too immature.


A cantaloupe will ripen on the counter. If you need it a bit quicker, put it in a paper bag with a banana.