Honeydew melons have pale green flesh.
Honeydew melons take longer to reach maturity than cantaloupes and other melons, but the sweet, delicate fruit makes the wait worthwhile. Whether you grow your own or purchase honeydews, the fruit reaches its peak availability from mid- to late summer. Learning what signals a ripe fruit ensures you pick honeydew melons that have reached their maximum sweetness. Does this Spark an idea?
Color
Honeydew color varies on the variety. Some types become yellow or cream at full maturity, while others develop a pale white-green coloring. Melons picked when still fully green do not ripen off the vine. Most of the ripening that develops the fruit's sweetness must occur while it's still attached to the plant. Unlike other melons, honeydews don't typically have a lighter-colored ground spot. The rind develops its color evenly on all sides. Honeydews with dark, soft spots are overripe or suffering from bruising, which could indicate internal rot.
Vine Indications
Like most melons, honeydew vines have small, curly tendrils near the melon stem. The tendrils dry and become brittle as the melon reaches maturity. Dry tendrils don't indicate ripeness on their own, because they can dry several days or even weeks before the fruit is ready for harvest. Some honeydew varieties slip from the vine with just a gentle twist once mature. Others, like the Crenshaw variety, do not slip, so other ripeness indications are necessary to know when to cut the honeydew from the vine.
Minor Indications
A fully mature honeydew produces a distinct floral aroma, while immature fruits have little to no scent. The rind becomes firm, yet there is some give near the stem end when you apply gentle pressure. Overripe melons become soft all over, and underripe melons have hard rinds even near the stem. Sound can also indicate maturity. When shaken lightly, a ripe honeydew's seeds rattle inside the melon. Overripe melons also rattle, so only use sound indications in conjunction with other ripeness indicators.
Ripening off the Plant
The melon continues to sweeten once harvested as long as the melon has reached its mature color. Green, underripe fruit will not continue to ripen after harvest. To ensure your properly colored fruit reaches full sweetness, store the melon in a paper bag at room temperature for three to five days before cutting and serving it. Speed up the process by placing a ripe banana in the bag with the honeydew. The banana produces ethylene gas, which speeds fruit ripening and gives you a ripened honeydew within two to three days.
Tags: from vine, fruit reaches, melons have, near stem, other melons, other ripeness, Overripe melons