PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Recipes
Fruits and Vegetables
How to Choose a Honeydew Melon Download Article Reviewed by Ollie George Cigliano
Last Updated: October 9, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article
Looking at the Melons
|
Feeling Honeydews
|
Smelling and Listening to the Melons
|
Storing and Eating Honeydew
|
Video
|
Tips
|Show more|Show less X
This article was reviewed by Ollie George Cigliano. Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 109,118 times.
Honeydew melons are known for their juicy green interior and make a great snack or breakfast addition. But before you purchase or harvest your melons, it's important to know the signs of a ripe, juicy fruit. From visual signs to sounds and smells, there are plenty of ways to pick the freshest and juiciest fruit for your meals.
Picking a Ripe Honeydew Melon
Choose a honeydew with a whitish-yellow exterior and a golden hue (the yellower the outside, the more ripe the melon). Brown spots indicate sweetness, while green spots or veins mean the fruit is not ripe. Press the bottom of the melon gently—if it’s ripe, it will be slightly soft and pliable.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 4:
Looking at the Melons
Download Article
1 Purchase honeydew melons from summer to fall for the best taste. Although honeydew melons can be eaten any time of the year, they are freshest from the middle of the year right up to winter. Either head to the supermarket or harvest from your crop during this time.
If you live in the U.S., the growing and harvesting season for honeydew melons is June to October.
Always harvest honeydew melons 3 months after planting them.
2 Look for a round, symmetrical honeydew melon. Ripe and mature melons should look smooth and round. Avoid melons with strange bumps and lumps as these are signs that they haven't properly matured.
Most honeydew melons should have a slightly oval shape.
Advertisement
3 Select whitish-yellow honeydew melons with a golden hue. The yellower the melon, the riper it is.[1]XResearch source If it has brown spots, don't worry—these are the areas where the fruit is sweetest, so don't avoid the melon if it has a few.
Avoid melons that have green spots or veins running across the outer skin.
Don't pick honeydew melons before they turn yellow or they will never ripen.
Choose melons with small brown freckles on the outer skin for extra sweetness.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 4:
Feeling Honeydews
Download Article
1 Press the blossom end of the melon to test for softness. This is the end opposite the end that the stem grows from. Gently press down on it with your finger—it should yield a bit and then return to its original form. If the ends don't give at all, the melon isn't ripe.
Look for a "give" that's not too soft and not too hard.
Check that the stem end has a subtle dip right where the stem used to be. In addition, make sure any remaining pieces of the stem are dry, hardened, and free from mold.
2 Run your fingers along the outer skin and check for ridges. If you can feel fine ridges on the melon's outer skin, it's probably perfectly ripened. But if the outer skin is smooth, it's less ripe.[2]XResearch source
The outer skin should have a waxy feel.
3 Find the heaviest melon with the most juice. If the melon feels almost too heavy for its size, it's a sign that it has lots of juice. Start by holding 2 potential melons in your hand and choose the heaviest one. Continue doing this until you've narrowed it down to the heaviest melon.
Weight the melons with a produce scale if you want the highest degree of accuracy.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 4:
Smelling and Listening to the Melons
Download Article
1 Smell the honeydew melons for a sweet scent. The riper the melon, the stronger its sweet fragrance. Separate the melons based on how sweet they smell and choose the one that smells ready to eat.[3]XResearch source
If you smell a strange odor that smells off, discard the melon.
2 Tap the melon and check for a hollow sound. Use your knuckles to lightly knock on the melon and listen to the sound it makes. If the melon sounds hollow, it's ripe.[4]XResearch source
Knock on all of the ripe looking melons and separate the ones that sound hollow.
3 Shake the honeydew melon and listen for seeds. Grab potential melons, hold them to your ear, and shake them side to side. If you hear seeds moving around, the melon is ripe.[5]XResearch source
Use the seed test to choose between melons that were fairly equal on other tests.
Advertisement Method 4 Method 4 of 4:
Storing and Eating Honeydew
Download Article
1 Store your ripe honeydew melon in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks. Honeydew melons that are uncut can be stored for 2 to 3 weeks at 45 to 50 °F (7 to 10 °C). Either place them in your refrigerator uncovered or wrap them in cling wrap.[6]XResearch source
Skip the refrigerator if you have a cool location in your home that's 45 to 50 °F (7 to 10 °C) where you can store your melon.
2 Cut your melon and serve it. Honeydew melon tastes best when you cut it immediately prior to serving. Pair it with slices of banana, your favorite berries, some green salad, cantaloupe, watermelon, or some low-fat yogurt.
Wrap your honeydew melon in some prosciutto if you like some meat with your fruit.
Mix your melon with finely chopped red onion, some fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice to make a nice salsa that goes great with seafood.
3 Store your cut honeydew melon in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap uncut parts tightly in cling wrap and put them back in the refrigerator. After 3 days, discard any leftovers.[7]XResearch source
Leave the seeds in all your uncut pieces to prevent them from over-ripening.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
Orange honeydew melons are a new kind of melon that you might see at some stores. These melons are most ripe when their outer skin is white or pale yellow-green. Just bear in mind that these kinds of honeydew melons aren't as sweet as the regular ones. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
You Might Also Like
How toChoose a MelonHow to Choose a Ripe Cantaloupe at the Store or Farmer’s MarketHow toTell when a Watermelon Is Ripe and Ready for PickingHow toSelect a WatermelonThe Best Ways to Cut a Honeydew MelonHow Can You Tell If a Watermelon Is Bad? Key Signs to Look ForHow to Make a Cantaloupe Ripen Quickly (Plus, How to Tell If It’s Ripe)How to Tell if a Peach is Ripe and Ready to EatPicking the Best Pineapple & Knowing When It’s Ready to EatIs Your Mango Ready to Eat? Easy Ways to Test RipenessHow toPick GrapefruitHow toBuy a Ripe PapayaHow Can You Tell If a Cantaloupe Has Gone Bad?How Do You Eat Mangosteen? Advertisement
Reviewed by: Ollie George Cigliano Private Chef & Food Educator This article was reviewed by Ollie George Cigliano. Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University. This article has been viewed 109,118 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 10Updated: October 9, 2025 Views: 109,118 Categories: Fruits and Vegetables In other languages Spanish Japanese
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 109,118 times.
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Ollie George Cigliano Private Chef & Food Educator Co-authors: 10Updated: October 9, 2025 Views: 109,118100% of voters found this recipe helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Quizzes & Games
What Fruit Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Squishmallow Am I QuizTake QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Type of Girl QuizTake QuizWhat Flower Am I QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How toChoose a MelonHow to Choose a Ripe Cantaloupe at the Store or Farmer’s MarketHow toTell when a Watermelon Is Ripe and Ready for PickingHow toSelect a Watermelon
Featured Articles
250+ Messages to Reassure Your Partner (For Him & Her)What Is My Favorite Color Quiz215+ Funny & Creative Personalized Vanity Plate Ideas100+ Creative Ways to Say Good NightWhy Can't I Sleep Quiz150+ Love Paragraphs to Make Him Feel Special
Trending Articles
How toMake OutHow Rare Is My Birthday QuizRandom Fortune GeneratorIs Your Personality More 6 or 7?What Should My Name Really Be QuizIs a Guy You Don't Know Well Interested in You?
Featured Articles
What Does Your Tattoo Placement Mean? Spiritual & Aesthetic Meanings19 of the Rarest Wonders from around the WorldWhat Is the Fun Scale? The 3 Types of Fun & Their BenefitsWhat Is My Aesthetic QuizHow to Celebrate Xmas: Expert Advice on Enjoying the HolidaysHilarious Clean Jokes That’ll Make Adults & Kids Laugh
Featured Articles
Am I Ready For A Relationship QuizWhy Is He Ignoring Me? 12 Possible Reasons (Plus, What to Do)A Complete Style Guide for the Gamine Kibbe Body TypeHow to Tell if You’re in LoveWhich Chaotic Evil Villain Am I QuizWhat Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?
Watch Articles
How toWrap a Round GiftHow toSteam in an OvenHow to Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesHow toClean a Silver Necklace4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of SodaHow toPart Your Hair
Trending Articles
Which Classic Christmas Movie Character Am I?Can We Guess If You're a Cat or Dog Person?What Am I Craving Quiz30 of the Hardest Riddles on Earth: The Harvard Riddle & BeyondWhich of the Big Three Are Your Parents? (Percy Jackson)How to Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for Beginners
Quizzes & Games
What Is My Color Aura QuizTake QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhich Niche AI TikTok Fruit Am I QuizTake QuizWhich Fruits Basket Character Am I QuizTake QuizWhat's My Future Husband's Name QuizTake QuizDo I Have Trypophobia (Fear Of Tiny Holes)Take Quiz
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Recipes
Fruits and Vegetables
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article Reviewed by Ollie George Cigliano 
The Best Ways to Cut a Honeydew Melon 
Advertisement 
Reviewed by: Ollie George Cigliano Private Chef & Food Educator This article was reviewed by Ollie George Cigliano. Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University. This article has been viewed 109,118 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 10 Updated: October 9, 2025 Views: 109,118 Categories: Fruits and Vegetables In other languages Spanish Japanese 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
511 
1 Purchase honeydew melons from summer to fall for the best taste. Although honeydew melons can be eaten any time of the year, they are freshest from the middle of the year right up to winter. Either head to the supermarket or harvest from your crop during this time. 
2 Look for a round, symmetrical honeydew melon. Ripe and mature melons should look smooth and round. Avoid melons with strange bumps and lumps as these are signs that they haven't properly matured. 
3 Select whitish-yellow honeydew melons with a golden hue. The yellower the melon, the riper it is.[1] If it has brown spots, don't worry—these are the areas where the fruit is sweetest, so don't avoid the melon if it has a few. 
1 Press the blossom end of the melon to test for softness. This is the end opposite the end that the stem grows from. Gently press down on it with your finger—it should yield a bit and then return to its original form. If the ends don't give at all, the melon isn't ripe. 
3 Find the heaviest melon with the most juice. If the melon feels almost too heavy for its size, it's a sign that it has lots of juice. Start by holding 2 potential melons in your hand and choose the heaviest one. Continue doing this until you've narrowed it down to the heaviest melon. 
1 Smell the honeydew melons for a sweet scent. The riper the melon, the stronger its sweet fragrance. Separate the melons based on how sweet they smell and choose the one that smells ready to eat.[3] 
1 Store your ripe honeydew melon in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks. Honeydew melons that are uncut can be stored for 2 to 3 weeks at 45 to 50 °F (7 to 10 °C). Either place them in your refrigerator uncovered or wrap them in cling wrap.[6] 
2 Cut your melon and serve it. Honeydew melon tastes best when you cut it immediately prior to serving. Pair it with slices of banana, your favorite berries, some green salad, cantaloupe, watermelon, or some low-fat yogurt. 
3 Store your cut honeydew melon in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap uncut parts tightly in cling wrap and put them back in the refrigerator. After 3 days, discard any leftovers.[7]