10 Ways to Tell if a Cantaloupe Is Ripe

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Sniff Test: Ripe cantaloupes have a sweet, fruity aroma at the stem end. If it smells fragrant and sweet, it's likely ripe

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Firmness: Press gently on the stem end. A ripe cantaloupe should yield slightly and feel firm but not too hard

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Color: Look for a golden or yellowish color under the netting on the skin. A fully ripe cantaloupe should have a creamy yellow hue

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Texture: The skin should have a slightly tacky or sticky feel when ripe, indicating the fruit's sugars have developed fully

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Weight: Ripe cantaloupes feel heavy for their size due to the water content increasing as they ripen

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Sound: Tap the cantaloupe gently with your knuckles. A ripe one will have a hollow sound rather than a dull thud

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Netting: The netting or web-like pattern on the skin should be pronounced, indicating maturity

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Blossom End: The blossom end (opposite the stem) should yield slightly when pressed, indicating ripeness

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