For the best taste, make sure the orange melon is ripe on the tree. However, you can ripen these melons after they are picked from the tree for a few extra days to further enhance the color, texture and amount of juice of the fruit.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Ripe Orange Melon on a Tree
Step 1. Check the melon orange once the color changes
Never harvest an orange melon when the outer skin is still green, as this type of melon is definitely not ripe. However, once the orange peel turns brown or yellow, the fruit is probably ripe.
- However, don't harvest orange melons based on color alone. While an orange melon with a green skin is definitely immature, a melon with a yellow or brown skin may not be ripe either.
- However, even if the orange melon isn't very ripe, paying attention to the color of the skin will give you an idea of whether the fruit is almost ripe or not.
- You should allow the orange melon to fully ripen on the tree. Unlike other fruits, melons don't develop sugar once they're picked, so they won't get sweeter after you pick them from the tree. The color and texture may change, but the taste won't change.
Step 2. Look for cracks around the stem
The melons are usually ready to be harvested when they are "completely released". This means that there will be a small crack that completely surrounds the stalk that is connected to the orange melon.
If you're not sure if the crack is deep enough or if it's finished, check by applying pressure to the side of the stem. Place your thumb directly next to the stalk and apply pressure to the side of the stalk. You just need to use a little force, and the stems will start to come off easily
Step 3. Harvest the orange melon
As soon as the color is right and the cracking around the fruit stalk is finished, the orange melon is ripe. The fruit needs to be harvested immediately.
Don't wait too long to harvest those orange melons. If the melon detaches from the tree trunk on its own, it is likely that the fruit is overripe, and as a result both taste and texture will suffer
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Ripe Orange Melon That Has Been Picked from the Tree
Step 1. Understand what will happen
As mentioned earlier, the taste of the orange melon will not change when you ripen it after it is picked from the tree because the orange melon flesh does not contain starch that can be converted into sugar. However, the texture, color, and amount of juice in the fruit can improve, so this process is still useful if you have ripe orange melons that have just been picked or melons that are only slightly unripe.
Step 2. Put the melon in a brown paper bag
Use a brown paper bag that is wide enough to fit the orange melon with a little more room. The fruit should not be crammed into a bag that is too tight. Ideally, you should leave some room for airflow in the bag.
- Make sure you close the top of the bag when you are ready to begin the melon ripening process.
- The sealed paper bag traps the ethylene gas produced by the orange melon when it ripens. Ethylene gas production is increased in the presence of additional ethylene gas, so keeping the gas concentrated in the chamber in the paper bag speeds up the ripening process.
- You should use paper bags, not plastic bags. Paper bags have pores, so carbon dioxide gas can escape and oxygen gas can enter. Without this minimal airflow, the cantaloupe won't start fermenting.
Step 3. Consider putting bananas or apples in the bag
If you put a ripe banana or apple in the bag, more ethylene gas will be produced in the space of the bag, and will accelerate the ripening process even more.
Bananas and apples produce very high amounts of ethylene gas after ripening, making these fruits a better choice than other fruits
Step 4. Leave the melons at room temperature until cooked
Usually, this process will only take about two days or less.
- Make sure the place where you store the orange melon is neither too cold nor too hot. You should also avoid places that are very humid or too windy.
- Check the cantaloupe's progress throughout the process to ensure that the fruit is not ripening sooner than expected.
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Knowing the Maturity Level
Step 1. Check the tip of the fruit stalk
If you are buying orange melons instead of harvesting them from your own garden, first make sure that no part of the original stem is still attached to the melon. If there are any, you should leave the fruit behind, as the stalk indicates that the melon has been ripened before the fruit can fully ripen on the tree. An orange melon like that will never ripen.
- Also check the outer skin of the fruit around the tip of the orange melon stalk. If there is a tear in the skin, it also indicates that the fruit was harvested too quickly.
- Make sure that the tip of the stem is slightly protruding as this indicates that the fruit is easy to pick from the tree. If the tip of the stalk sticks out, it could be another sign of an untimely harvest.
- You should also avoid cantaloupe, which have very soft stem tips, with wet spots around them. This can indicate that the fruit is actually too ripe.
Step 2. Pay attention to the webs on the skin of the fruit
The outer skin of the fruit should be covered with a thick, rough web that looks very noticeable over the entire surface of the melon.
However, the nets can be more prominent in some parts than in others. Don't expect the net to be perfectly even throughout the fruit
Step 3. Pay attention to the color
If you are not harvesting the fruit yourself and growing it through a second party, check the outer skin color for it before you buy it. The outer skin of the melon should be golden, yellow or brown in color.
The green color of the skin indicates that the fruit is still unripe
Step 4. Use your sense of touch
Gently press on the flower tip of the orange melon. When you do this, it should feel a little soft. If the part feels tough, you should allow the melon to ripen at room temperature for another day or two.
- On the other hand, if the orange cantaloupe is too soft or feels mushy, it may be too ripe.
- In addition, you should also lift the melon when you examine it. When ripe, the orange melon will feel heavier than its size.
Step 5. Breathe in the orange melon scent
Inhale a little of the fruit's fragrance from the tip of the flower, rather than from the tip of the stem. The fruit "button" should be right under your nose as you inhale, and you'll be able to feel the familiar aroma of a ripe orange melon when you inhale.
- If you can't smell anything yet, try to ripen the melon again for half a day or so.
- If you are not familiar with the smell of orange melon, just smell the very sweet aroma.
- The tip of the flower is the part where the fruit starts to soften and the aroma begins to develop, so the fruit scent will be strongest and easiest to spot from there.
Step 6.
Tips
- Ripe, diced orange melon should be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated for a day or two.
- Once cooked, place the uncut orange melon in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Ripe melon pieces should be covered and refrigerated for up to three days. Keep the seeds attached to the fruit as they prevent the pulp from drying out prematurely.
