Emma Miller
Juicy, sweet, and fragrant melon is the best dessert on a hot summer day. This healthy fruit perfectly satisfies hunger and contains a lot of vitamins.
Examine the melon rind
A ripe and fresh melon should have no cracks, cuts, or spots on the rind. If the rind is damaged, dangerous bacteria can grow in the melon. If there are green spots, the melon is unripe, and if there are brown spots, the fruit is overripe.
Squeeze the melon
A ripe melon should not be too hard or too soft when pressed. The ripe fruit springs slightly when pressed and makes a muffled thud when tapped. The rind is hard to pierce with your fingernail and the flesh is firm enough.
Smell the flavor
A sweet and ripe melon should have a pleasant honey aroma. And the smell should be perceptible even if the fruit is whole. If it smells green or has no smell at all, it is probably unripe and unsweetened.
Weigh the melon
Compare melons by weight and buy the heavier ones. A ripe and juicy melon will be heavy.
Look at the tail
Choose melons that have a completely dry tail. This means that the melon is mature enough and has a sweet taste.
What melons should not be bought?
- Do not buy melons if they are lying close to the roadway. Melons, like a sponge, absorb dust and toxins from the road.
- If it smells too sweet and “heavy,” the melon is overripe.
- Do not buy a melon if it makes a watery sound when patted. Such fruit is probably green and unpalatable.
- If you do not buy a whole melon, but a sliced one, it should be kept in the refrigerator. Do not buy sliced melon if it is stored at room temperature – it spoils in a matter of hours.
