Unraveling the Mystery of Melons

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by Leanne Ely, C.N.C.

 

There are two kinds of people in life: those who pick good

melons and those who do not.

 

We've all seen the good melon pickers at the market or produce

stand, circling the melons like an exotic bird beginning an

elaborate mating dance. Then, when the moment is ripe (pardon

the obvious pun), the melon picker swoops in and begins to thump,

smell and feel melons. But why all the fanfare and melon

exhibitionism?

 

Because that is how you end up with a perfect melon.

 

And to help you decode what exactly goes on in securing a good

melon, here are some tips to unwrap forever the mystery of

melons:

 

*Go for the heavyweights.

The heavier the melon, the juicier it is. Pick up two same sized

melons, and choose the heavier of the two.

 

*Check the spot.

If the melon you are thinking of purchasing is a Persian,

cantaloupe or casaba, it will have a little indentation on the

end where it was attached to the vine. The opposite of that end

is the blossom end and it is the blossom end where you should

check for a little softness-not the indentation. A very common

mistake with amateur melon pickers.

 

*Nice complexion.

Certain melons like honey dew and other smooth skinned melons,

have a light creamy yellow skin-not greenish blue. They should

also have a velvety touch to them. Cantaloupes should look

yellow under their netted skins-not green.

 

*Sniff test.

A good melon will smell like a good melon. If you pick up a

cantaloupe and can't smell it, chances are it was picked too

early and though it will soften up, the flavor will never be

there.

 

*Knock, knock.

Who's there? Watermelon. Watermelon who? A hollowish sounding

watermelon is a good pick. Ditto on the yellowish underbelly of

the dirigible-looking watermelon. Skip the white undersides of

watermelons-they've been picked too soon. If the watermelon is

cut, it should be firm, not mushy and thin skin and rind. The

flesh should be beautifully colored and the smell potent.

 

*In season.

Summer is definitely the time to buy melons. All of these tests

will be much easier to administer to an unsuspecting melon if

you're doing this mid-summer as opposed to Christmas time. There

is no contest on when you'll find the better melon. Price is

much better, too.