While a cream color is always a good indicator of a mature melon, new varieties may often have a somewhat green hue. Don’t be deterred by a slightly green cast on new variety cantaloupes. Delicious Placeholder Text Normally something you might consider a defect is actually a sign of ripeness when it comes to today’s cantaloupe varieties. If the ‘blossom end’ (the end opposite the stem) is beginning to show a bit of cracking, this is a very good indicator of ripeness. Another sign of ripeness, this blossom end will be somewhat soft to the touch, meaning it gives slightly when pressed gently with the fingers.
Cracked blossom end example: Delicious Cantaloupes Placeholder text When the older “Western Shipper” cantaloupe varieties reached peak maturity in the field, the stem naturally slipped away from the cantaloupe. Back then, we were told to look for a smooth end with no remnant of a stem as the best indicator of cantaloupe ripeness. Newer cantaloupe varieties may slip away from the stem, but they are also just as likely to have a bit of stem left on the melon. A mature melon that does still have a stem attached will have some netting growing up the stem. Netting is the raised net-like texture on the shell of the cantaloupe. Yummy Cantaloupes Placeholder text LEARN MORE

 

As the name indicates, new Long Shelf Life and Extended Shelf-Life cantaloupes help reduce the amount of food that gets thrown away in grocery stores because of their extended shelf life. These varieties last longer because they have harder exteriors and firmer flesh than old varieties, which makes them hardier for transport. LEARN MORE Reduce food waste