How To Pick Ripe Melons Using Four Of Your Five Senses

Below are some tips for how to pick ripe melons using four of your senses, including sight, touch, smell and even your hearing, so you can please your fifth sense, the sense of taste.

When you go to the grocery store or the farmers market and see a big table of melons, be it watermelon, canteloupe, honey dew, or any of the other melons, it can be difficult to know which ones are really the ripest and best.

They may not all look very different, but they sure can taste different.

Here are some tips I've learned for how to pick the best melons on the table using your senses.

Sense Of Sight: How Does It Look?

First, using your sense of sight look at the melons. Avoid the ones which have soft spots, bruises, bumps and other blemishes.

Sense Of Touch: How Heavy Does It Feel?

Ripe melons feel heavy in comparison to their size. I know that sounds a bit vague, but when you are standing in front of a large pile of melons and have the chance to pick up several you will begin to notice that some have more heft than others. These are the ones to investigate further.

Sense Of Smell: Does The Stem Smell Fragrant?

Once you've found a "heavy" melon, go ahead and take a sniff, especially near the stem end. Melons that have a rather moist and fragrant stem are more likely to be ripe than those which have dry, non-scented stems.

Sense Of Hearing: Thump That Melon

Finally, once you've found a melon that meets all the other criteria use your sense of hearing to make a final determination of whether it is the one you want to take home. Hold it to your ear and then thump it. Ripe melons should sound hollow and cavernous, and not muffled.

Now Enjoy Your Fifth Sense: The Sense Of Taste

Now that you've chosen a melon meeting all the criteria above you can go home and enjoy a really tasty treat with your family, since you've chosen one of the ripest and tastiest melons available.

Do you have any additional tips and tricks for choosing the best melons? In addition, what are some of your favorite ways to eat this summer favorite? Please tell me in the comments.

Related Pages You May Enjoy

Kid Friendly Recipes Adults Love Too

Go From How To Pick Ripe Melons To Home Page