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Summer is all about fruit, particularly when it comes to the bounty of melons. Refreshing and juicy, melons serve as the perfect starter with a simple slice of prosciutto or even as a dessert. Encased inside a protective green layer, ripe melon flesh is one of the best things about summer and can even help you stay hydrated when the mercury rises.
However, choosing a perfect melon ready for eating can require the skills of a fruit detective. Knowing how to detect if a melon's coveted flesh is dense and sweet or sticky and insipid is the result of some careful observations before purchase.
Here are five things to check when choosing the perfect melon.
1. Weight
The first thing to do is check the weight of the melon. The heavier it is, the sweeter and tastier it promises to be. If it feels oddly light, it’s probably dried out and won’t have much flavour.
2. Pressure
Check the blossom end (opposite the stem end) of the melon. If it yields a little under pressure under your thumb, it means that the fruit is mature, and ready for eating.
3. Smell
If you've always mocked other shoppers smelling melons, they were in fact onto something. The smell of a melon is a good indicator of ripeness. If the scent is slightly sweet, they are spot on and ready for eating. However, if the smell is too strong, it's an indication that the fruit is overripe. This doesn’t work for watermelons however, as they don’t give off a scent until sliced.
4. Skin condition and colour
Contrary to popular belief, the smooth or webbed appearance of the skin of the melon does not matter. However, it's best to banish melons from your basket that have soft skin as well as punctures or dents. Avoid melons that have an underlying green or white colour.
5. Number of segments
It's good to pay attention to the number of segments that appear under the surface of the melon – those dark green furrows. If the fruit has 10 it probably means that it is delicious. Also, the more slices that are pronounced the more chance the melon will be good.
Finally, give the melon a couple of taps. If it sounds hollow, it’s a keeper!
When are melons in season?
Nowadays, melons tend to be available all year round in supermarkets. Having said that, they are at their freshest and sweetest from May to September thanks to the right combination of heat, rich soil and daylight hours.
After all that hard work detecting the right melon, do not store it in the fridge! Leave it out in the open at room temperature and eat it quickly to enjoy it at its peak.
This article was updated on 01/06/2023.
