More details on selecting a ripe cantaloupe:
- Select a melon with a nice shape and that is heavy for its size. If it is totally yellow in color it is probably overripe.
- Shake the melon and listen for loose seeds. If you hear a lot of movement it probably overripe with a mushy texture.
- When you press on the ends of the melon there should be a slight give. If it is mushy or wet, it is overripe. If it is hard and overly green, it is not ripe.
- Tap the cantaloupe. If ripe it should make a hollow sound.
- Smell the stem end of the melon and if it has a nice fruity smell it is ripe, but if it has a moldy or musty smell it is overripe.
If you end up having to purchase a cantaloupe that is not as ripe as you would like it, you can leave it set out at room temperature until it shows more signs of ripeness and then refrigerate it for up to 4 or 5 days.