How to Pick a Ripe Cantaloupe

How to Pick a Ripe Cantaloupe – Straight from the Farm

If you’ve ever stood in the produce aisle tapping, sniffing, and second-guessing your cantaloupe choice, you’re not alone. Choosing a ripe cantaloupe can feel like a mystery—but with a few farmer-approved tips, you’ll be selecting sweet, juicy melons like a pro in no time.

I believe in connecting people to where their food comes from. And that includes learning how to choose fruits at their peak ripeness—just like we do on the farm. Here’s how to spot a perfectly ripe cantaloupe:

Check the color
A ripe cantaloupe should be more yellow than green. Look for a golden, creamy beige background beneath the netting. Bright green skin means it was likely picked too early.
Farm Tip: The richer the golden hue, the better the flavor—it means the melon spent more time ripening in the sun.
Look at the stem
Flip the cantaloupe and check the stem area. You want it to be more brown than green and slightly indented—like the fruit naturally fell from the vine.
Farm tip: A green stem or one that looks freshly cut could mean the cantaloupe was picked before it was fully ripe.
Smell the stem
Give the stem end a good sniff. It should smell sweet and slightly musky. No scent? It might not be ripe yet.
Farm tip: If the aroma is overly strong or fermented, the melon might be past its prime.
The weight test
Pick up the cantaloupe and compare it to others the same size. A ripe one should feel heavier—that’s the juicy goodness inside.
Farm tip: Weight is a great tie-breaker when you’re stuck between two good-looking melons.

Final Thoughts from the Field

There’s nothing like slicing open a perfectly ripe cantaloupe—its fragrant aroma and juicy flavor are pure summer joy. Whether you’re shopping at the market or picking fresh from a farm, these tips will help you choose a melon that’s just right.