Honeydew melons are a delicious and refreshing fruit that make a perfect snack or addition to any meal. But with so many options available at the grocery store or farmer’s market, it can be difficult to know how to pick the perfect honeydew melon.

Do you know the secrets to how to tell if a honeydew is ripe?

How to Pick a Honeydew Melon

How to Tell if a Honeydew is Ripe, Sweet, and Juicy!

So you had to know this was coming! It’s full on fruit season and with the viral popularity of How to Pick a Mouthwatering Watermelon and How to Pick a Delicious Cantaloupe I just had to continue on with How to Pick a Honeydew Melon. And believe it or not….there’s differences in choosing all three!

It’s so disappointing when you get a melon that just doesn’t taste good – not sweet enough or not ripe enough. It just makes the whole melon eating experience a let-down. That’s why I’m going to share with you how to pick a honeydew melon so you can get the most flavorful, enjoyable melon possible.

How to pick the perfect honeydew:

Look for a Uniformly Colored Honeydew Melon

One of the first things to look for when choosing a honeydew melon is its color. A ripe honeydew melon should have a creamy yellow color that is uniform throughout the fruit. Avoid melons that have green or white patches, as this is a sign that the melon is not yet ripe.

Look at the color of the outside of the honeydew melon. The more yellow it is, the better. Look for a golden hue to it.
Brown spots on the rind of a honeydew melon are kind of like brown spots on a banana. That’s where the fruit is the sweetest. So don’t shy away from a few brown spots.
If you find an orange-fleshed honeydew, that’s okay. This is a new kind of honeydew which is easier to tell if it’s ripe. The more orange it is, the better. However, be warned – it might not have as sweet of a taste as your typical honeydew melon.

Check the Surface of the Melon

The surface of a honeydew melon can also provide clues as to its ripeness. Look for a melon with a smooth and unblemished surface. Avoid melons that have any cracks, bruises, or soft spots, as these are signs of an overripe or damaged melon.

The skin will have almost a sticky texture when it’s at its ripest.
Squeeze the ends of the honeydew melon. You want them to have a little bit of a give to it, as that means it’s ripe.

Give the Melon a Thump

Another way to determine the ripeness of a honeydew melon is to give it a gentle thump with your fingers. A ripe melon should have a slightly hollow sound, indicating that it is full of sweet juice. If the melon sounds dull or flat, it may be underripe.

Hold the honeydew melon up to your ear and shake it side to side. If you can hear the seeds rolling around in there, then it’s ripe.
Give it a tap. A hollow sound means the melon is ripe.
Weight matters, too. Because melons consist of mostly water, you want one that is heavier than it appears. This will be the juiciest melon.

Check the Stem End

The stem end of a honeydew melon can also provide clues about its ripeness. Look for a melon with a slightly sunken stem end, as this is a sign that the melon has fully ripened and detached from the vine. An attached stem or a stem that is raised can indicate an underripe melon.

If a honeydew melon is picked too soon (before it turns yellow), it will never ripen. They’re best avoided past August because you probably aren’t going to get a very tasty melon after than unless you live in California where they are grown.

Smell the Melon

Finally, take a moment to smell the honeydew melon before purchasing it. A ripe melon should have a sweet, fruity aroma. If the melon has no smell or smells slightly sour, it may be overripe.

Use all of your senses when checking your honeydew melon. Give it a smell. If it has a nice, pleasant aroma, then it’s going to taste good too.

Honeydew melon is really a melon you have to buy to eat right away. It doesn’t get better if you buy it early and let it sit in the sun. You also want to store it at room temperature.

However, after it has been cut into you will need to store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. This will help keep it fresh for up to two weeks.

Now go out and pick your perfect honeydew melon and then enjoy all of its sweet, watery goodness. You’ll never pick a disappointing melon again with these tips on how to choose the best honeydew melon.