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Picking the Perfect Cantaloupe with Simplicity Gourmet

As you walk through the fresh produce at the grocery store or your local farmers market, you can’t help but admire all those gorgeous melons that are in abundance this time of year. It is the peak of the summers’ bounty! Your mouth waters at the thought of a ripe sweet cantaloupe or honeydew.

Once again, you are in a quandary as to how to pick one of these jewels. I am going to share with you my secrets to success that I have uncovered for picking a sumptuous sweet cantaloupe. Again, through my research on the internet and then consulting with Bill Ryder, who’s 18 yrs of experience as the Produce Manager from my local Publix grocery store, I have discovered the secrets to consistently choosing a great cantaloupe.

According to the internet, picking a ripe cantaloupe is easy…hum. Out of all the melons that I have picked over the years, I have had the most consistent success picking a cantaloupe and one that my family would eat. That is the real test…one that your family will eat!

Here are the internet tips…cantaloupes have what is called a “disk” on one end. This is where the melon was attached to the vine in the field. Look at the disk; it should be a light tan, golden in color, not green. Next smell the disk to see if it has a sweet fragrant smell coming from it. This suggestion is the one that has helped me to have the most success in choosing a ripe cantaloupe. The last consideration is the overall color of the cantaloupe; it should be evenly golden in color with little to no green.

Bill added one very important clue to picking a ripe cantaloupe…he said, “grocery stores have the worst lighting and the florescent lights can be mislead

ing when you are deciding which one has the best color.” He suggests that you back up from the cantaloupe

s about 4 feet, then survey which ones have the best golden even color and choose accordingly.

Last week, I picked a watermelon and cantaloupe based on all the tips that I have shared with you…my husband said, “That was the best watermelon I’ve ever eaten!” and the cantaloupe was just as delicious! So, don’t be afraid, get out there and

enjoy The First Lady of melons, the cantaloupe.

Try pieces of fresh cut up cantaloupe over vanilla ice cream for a great summer dessert or treat. It is so yummy!!!

Next week I will share how to pick honeydew! This is by far the most difficult one for me!

Happy Shopping!
Renee

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