Honeydew is a delicious summer treat that tastes awesome in smoothies, salads, or just plain old on its own. But how to tell if honeydew is ripe? It can be tough though when you want to pick one at the grocery store and don’t know how ripe it is.
When shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables it can be hard to tell if they’ll taste good or not. You want them ripe but not too ripe, edible but still tasty…
🤔 How to tell if honeydew is ripe? Honeydews can be checked for readiness by feeling the texture, checking for a fruity smell. If honeydew is ripe, it will have a bright, vibrant yellow color and will soften under pressure and feel spongy.
Luckily there are some tricks I’ve picked up over the years that make finding good produce easy as pie (or should I say honeydew?)!?
Table of Contents
How to Tell if Honeydew Is Ripe?
1. Color
The first thing I check for is the color of the honeydew! If it is a bright, vibrant yellow color then it is ripe and ready to eat. If the honeydew is more of a green color, then it’s not quite fully matured yet and will taste much different.
If the honeydew looks black or moldy, then it is past its prime.
2. Texture
The second thing I check for is the texture of the honeydew! If it’s very firm and rigid, then the honeydew isn’t ripe yet and maybe unpleasantly tart. If it’s a bit mushy to the touch, then it’s ripe!
3. Feel
The third thing I check for is how the honeydew feels to the touch! If it feels solid and un-wobbly, then it’s not ripe. If the honeydew is a bit wobbly or unstable to the touch, then it’s a good idea to try and eat the honeydew as soon as possible because it’s likely going bad soon.
4. Smell
The fourth thing I check for is whether or not the honeydew smells fruity! If it has a nice, sweet, fragrant smell then it’s perfect to eat. If the honeydew doesn’t have much of a scent, then it probably isn’t quite ripe yet and should only be eaten if it’s on sale.
5. Pick It Up
Press your thumb against the top of the honeydew, making sure not to puncture the skin. If it is ripe, it should yield slightly to the pressure, and will feel slightly soft and spongy. If it is too firm, then it is not ripe yet and can be left to ripen further.
Related: How to Tell if a Cantaloupe Is Ripe?
How To Ripen Honeydew Melon
Now that you know how to tell if honeydew is ripe, let’s learn a little about what to do after you find a ripe one!
Honeydew is often bright yellow in color and thick-skinned, making it perfect for cutting up and combining with other fruits or serving on its own. It can also be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, where it will only continue to ripen.
Honeydew can ripen over time by leaving it out on the countertop in a brown paper bag and letting it sit for a few days. The bag traps in some of the ethylene gas that causes fruit to ripen, giving it a boost.
If you want your honeydew melon to ripen quickly, place an apple or banana in with it on the countertop! Bananas release lots of ethylene gas all by themselves, so combining them with honeydew is a great way to speed up the ripening process.
Should Honeydew Be Stored in the Refrigerator?
Honeydew melon can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks before it starts to go bad. Placing a ripe honeydew melon in the fridge causes it to last even longer, but can also cause its surface texture to soften and become less appetizing.
It’s best to store your honeydew melon on the countertop if you intend to eat it within a week.
How To Ripen Honeydew Melon After Cutting?
Once you’ve cut up your honeydew melon, it can be pretty difficult to ripen it. If you purchase your honeydew melon in pieces or if you’ve already cut into it, don’t worry. There are ways to make the best of the situation and ripen up your honeydew after cutting.
Wrap the exposed end in plastic wrap to keep air out. This will prevent your cut-up fruit from browning and drying out too much!
Place your cut-up honeydew in a glass container with an airtight lid, like Tupperware. The container traps in the ethylene gas caused by ripening fruit, allowing it to stay fresh and tasty for much longer.
After all, if you put the fruit in the fridge then it will last longer but lose flavor and texture!
Final Words
These are some ways to tell if honeydew is ripe. Do you have any other tricks for telling if honeydew is ripe? Leave your tips in the comments!
