Cathy Jakicic has written about everything from business and bacteria to beads and baking in her career —but she greatly prefers the last two. Your first order of business should be to inspect what the … Now, obviously you don’t want a spoiled melon, so it shouldn’t be too “squeezable” either! The more the better! Nothing says “summer” like a sweet and juicy melon! Join the discussion today. Color? A ripe watermelon will have a dull skin—which is somewhat unexpected. Choose firm with sweet fragrance. Honey Kiss melons are elongated in shape and are a Hami variety melon. Hami melon is originated from China. The name, "hami" derives from a place in Xinjiang, North-west China, where it is very popular for their melons. The rind will be ridged when the melon has been allowed to ripen on the vine and the skin will have a slightly waxy feel when the melon is ripe. If it doesn't come off easily, give it a couple more days.These melons can be stored for a several weeks to a few months with little loss of quality. See what melon keeps ripening after you buy it—and what melon doesn’t. The interior flesh is a pale, peach color and is crisp and juicy. the flavor is pretty light in taste, and not extremely soft (unlike a very ripe honeydew or cantaloupe). The honey kiss melon is a hybrid of the Hami melon variety, which originated in Hami Prefecture in eastern Xinjiang, China, more than 700 years ago. This guide will show you how to tell if a melon is ripe before you make your decision in the produce section. It’s closely related to other plants like squash, pumpkin, zucchini, and watermelon … The galia melon's flesh is light yellow-green in color when ripe as well as being extremely juicy. A cut Hami melon It is also referred to as the Chinese Hami melon or the snow melon. Did you know there is a broad range of melons from all different shapes, sizes and names – A to Z? is grown in Hami, Xinjiang in China. Then, give the melon a sniff where it was attached to the vine. A Hami melon is actually a cultivar of cantaloupe, although it doesn't look like the cantaloupes we all know and love. Since it's a cantaloupe, you can tell if it's ripe for harvest by smell (slightly sweet), and it has firm flesh that gives a little under pressure. This hami melon (???) They have a golden exterior skin that is covered in a cream colored netting. To choose a cantaloupe or honeydew, start by checking the number of segments or dark furrows. Muskmelon, also known as Cucumis melo, is a species of melon that belongs to the gourd family. You’ll also notice most watermelons develop a spot where they rest on the ground, and when it’s yellow (and you don’t see any stripes on the patch), the melon should be ripe and ready to slice. A light tap to the rind should produce a hollow sound. There are 50+ varieties of melons differing in color, size, and shape. If the cantaloupe’s base color still has a greenish tint, that usually means that it isn’t ripe yet. Why should melons be … If it has brown spots, don't worry—these are the areas where the fruit is sweetest, so don't avoid the melon if it has a few. How To Get Rid of Mealybugs and Scale Insects on Plants, 21 Pro Tips for Buying Turkey for a Perfect Thanksgiving, 32 Long Shelf Life Foods to Keep In Your Pantry, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Hami Melon This is a type of Cantaloupe melon, and in fact, if you look at it you will likely not be able to tell the difference between the two. This is the first year I have grown them, from a seed saved from last year. Because there are such drastic differences between the quality of an unripe and a ripe cantaloupe, it's important to know how to tell when this melon is ready to eat. But almost … When ripe, Crenshaw melons are roughly ovoid, with a greenish-yellow, slightly ribbed skin. Since it's a cantaloupe, you can tell if it's ripe for harvest by smell (slightly sweet), and it has firm flesh that gives a little under pressure. Choose a melon that is heavy for its size and has no soft or discolored spots. Look for fruit heavy for its size, yielding slightly under pressure. If there’s a stem, it should not be squishy-soft but should yield to gentle pressure from your thumb. (Especially an extra-refreshing watermelon.) Cleaning Since melons grow on the ground, it’s only logical to make sure they’re … Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon Relish. The juicy flesh and mellow, sweet flavor lends well to a variety of fruit salads and soups. Ripe honeydew melons are both spherical and symmetrical. But life is short, and it's a waste to spend it worrying. Size? You’ll also notice most watermelons develop a spot where they rest on the ground, and when it’s yellow (and you don’t see any stripes on the patch), the melon should be ripe and ready to slice. When you squeeze a melon on the side, it shouldn’t be hard as a rock – it should give a little. A Hami melon is actually a cultivar of cantaloupe, although it doesn't look like the cantaloupes we all know and love. You also don’t want to see bruises, spots or cracks. That’s why getting home and finding you’ve purchased a lackluster cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon is so disappointing. Inspect the melon for defects. Make sure you pick one that is ripe or you wont get to truly enjoy a cantaloupe! She is a baker and a crafter and loves to try new recipes for both. A good, ripe cantaloupe will have a base color that’s tinted gold, so avoid those that appear green. How can you tell when a Hami melon is ripe and ready to pick? Delicious on their own, melons add sweetness to salads, cold soups, drinks, and sorbets. In California where the melons are ripened on the vine, you can tell when they are at their best because the yellow skin gets sticky. If picking a ripe melon feels like a completely daunting task, I can assure you that you’re not alone. You'll also notice most watermelons develop a spot where they rest on the ground, and when it's yellow (and you don't see any stripes on the patch), the melon should be ripe and ready to slice. Melon Mania 101. If there’s no stem, check the blossom end (that’s the opposite end) the same way. The rind should appear waxy with a creamy, uniform color that ranges from yellow to white. How to Tell When Canary Melons Are Ripe. When you shake a honey dew or cantaloupe melon, pay attention if the seeds are loose – if they are, then the melon is ripe. There are two colours of skin, yellow which has sweet green flesh and green skin that has a pale white flesh but is also sweet when ripe. The yellower the melon, the riper it is. Despite the inner sweetness, Hami melons don't smell like the common ones even when ripe. Conventional wisdom says thumping a melon is the best way to tell if it’s sweet and juicy. After all that, you can tap or thump the melon with your palm—a ripe watermelon should sound hollow and make a thunk sound. A Hami melon is actually a cultivar of cantaloupe, although it doesn't look like the cantaloupes we all know and love. The flavor of the Honey Kiss melon is very sweet, with a … Be sure to check the melon’s color and tone. A hollow sound from the melon when it is gently thumped and a sweet aroma also indicate ripeness. Avoid honeydews with any green coloring on the rind, as this indicates under-ripeness. History: The Hami melon is said to have originated in the Shanshan County of Xinjiang, China, where King Hami sent the Qing emperor the fruit as a tribute. It is these qualities that determine the ripeness of a galia melon as opposed to traditional pressing for softness at the root, the method often recommended for testing other members of the muskmelon family. To select a good Crenshaw melon in the store, look for a melon which feels heavy for its size, and yields slightly at the end of the melon where the flower once was. The melon has since become representative of the Hami area and has become popular across the world for its flavor and aroma, with varieties being grown in California, Oregon, and several Central Asian countries. The inside flesh is sweet and crisp. Psst… See what melon keeps ripening after you buy it—and what melon doesn’t. The sugar kiss melon got its name because it is so sweet and also because of the way sugar melts on your tongue, which you get a similar feeling when you eat this melon. Avoid melons that … No matter which melon is on the menu, taking the time to use all of your senses will yield juicy results! Originating in Europe, the fruit is also known as the Juan Canary, Jaune des Canaries, San Juan Canary or Spanish melon. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. For honeydew or watermelons, tendrils close to the fruit turn dry and brown when the melon is ripe. Scent? If you press on the bottom of a ripe honeydew (the opposite end from where it's attached to the vine), it should feel slightly soft or at least a little springy. The outer color is generally white through pink or yellow through green. A ripe watermelon has dull, not shiny, skin, and the lighter colored part of the rind, where the melon rested on the ground, should be yellow or creamy, not green or white. The toughest part of the process is knowing how to tell if a watermelon is ripe. The skin shouldn’t have any tears or scars, and the netting on its surface should be thick, coarse, and strongly defined. To find a ripe Hami melon look for a dark gold color around the fruit. When ripe, the color of the rind should be a creamy yellow rather than green, and the rind will become smooth and waxy rather than dusky. I hope I'm not tempting my diabetic genes. Keep cut or ripe fruit in refrigerator for up to three days. The coloring will be rich yellow with very little green on the skin. A Hami melon is actually a cultivar of cantaloupe, although it doesn't look like the cantaloupes we all know and love. Before you make your final decision, pick up the melon and make sure it feels heavy for its size. When the tiny cracks encircle the stem, and the stem itself looks shriveled, the melon should break from the vine with a slight twist. The rind is … It should have a subtle, sweet smell but not a strong one (that’s a sign of an over-ripe fruit). It's also helpful to know what else to look for in picking out the best specimen and how to properly store a cantaloupe. Ask an Expert is made up of groups and individual experts. YourProduceGuy shows you how to tell when a golden honeydew melon is ripe. Select whitish-yellow honeydew melons with a golden hue. Canary melons, considered true cantaloupes, are members of the Cucurbitaceae family and are named for the bright yellow rind color. Give them a squeeze. However, the most reliable way is to look at the stem--as the fruit gets nearer to being ripe, the area of the stem near where it's attached to the fruit develops small cracks. Watermelon. These taste much like a traditional honeydew melon and are super sweet. Inside, the melons are a rich salmon pink, with a large seeded area in the center portion of the melon. Determining a canary melon’s ripeness can prove difficult for even seasoned gardeners, but definitely not for lack of creativity. Compare a few similar-sized melons to find the heftiest one. Read the How to determine melon ripeness discussion from the Chowhound General Discussion food community. To find a ripe Hami melon look for a dark gold color around the fruit. They can grow to as much as 11 pounds but the photo specimen was 7 pounds 3 ounces, a bit above average, and was purchased in mid July. Slips easily from vine? Originating from the Hami part of Xinjiang, it has white or yellow-green skin and a very sweet, crisp flavor. This video describes my top tips for picking a good sugary cantaloupe. Since it's a cantaloupe, you can tell if it's ripe for harvest by smell (slightly sweet), and it has firm flesh that gives a little under pressure. You also don’t want to see bruises, spots or cracks. After all that, you can tap or thump the melon with your palm—a ripe watermelon should sound hollow and make a thunk sound. For several thousand years, Hami and its surrounding provinces have been the traditional growing areas of this melon but have since spread to the south of China too. A Good-quality Casaba melon will be fairly large and firm with a small amount of softness at the stem end. But here’s what you should do first: Start be looking at the skin’s “finish.” A ripe watermelon will have a dull skin—which is somewhat unexpected. So it's hard to tell when they're ready to eat - we just wait until they're yellow all over. Like the watermelon, a dull honeydew is a ripe honeydew. Melissa’s Hami Melons are hand-selected for excellent quality. Hami Melon - Oval [PLU #4332] This is the Hami melon most common in Southern California markets. It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year – melon mania! The best and sweetest cantaloupe should have golden undertones. 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