Cantaloupe is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and is also commonly known as sweet melon or muskmelon. In Australia, it is called rockmelon while in South Africa, it is called spanspeak. Regardless of the variety, finding a wonderful cantaloupe can feel like winning the lottery because the cool, juicy pieces melt in your mouth with a sweetness that only nature can produce. The only catch is that you can only get that if you know how to select a cantaloupe; otherwise, you’ll only get hard, bland chunks of melon. Here are some things to keep an eye out for while selecting the ideal cantaloupe.
So, continue reading the article to know how you can choose the best Cantaloupe along with how you can store and eat it in different ways to enjoy it the most.
Health Benefits of Cantaloupe
In addition to being a cool summer delight, cantaloupe has a few health advantages. There are around 50 calories in 1 cup of cantaloupe chunks. Vitamin A, which supports the immune system, eyesight, and reproductive health, is provided at roughly 30% of the Daily Recommended Value. Additionally, it contains more than half of the daily value (DV) for vitamin C, which aids in iron absorption from plant foods and also helps to maintain a strong immune system.
Due to its high vitamin A, B6, and C content, cantaloupe provides several health advantages. It contains a lot of beta-carotene, a potent antioxidant that the body can use. In addition, it is a fantastic source of fiber and includes potassium, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, and thiamine.
According to research, consuming this melon can help maintain eyesight as we age, improve cardiovascular health, improve hair and skin health, and lower blood pressure. It may also assist diabetics or those at risk for diabetes to lessen oxidative stress in the kidneys.
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Ways to Choose a Cantaloupe
The following are some ways by which you can choose the best Cantaloupe and bring it to your home:
- By Smell
The easiest approach to choosing a cantaloupe at the grocery store or farmers’ market is by smelling it, especially if you don’t have time to browse through a collection of them. Take a sniff of the stem end after picking up the melon. It should smell sweet, but not overly so. It’s not quite ripe if there is no aroma.
- By Sight
Examining the melon’s exterior is one of several additional clues you may use to identify a ripe melon if you have a little more time to devote to your cantaloupe shopping. The fruit should appear light beige on the outside, with no green peeping through the rind. It’s not nearly ripe if there is any green visible. Check the end as well to determine if the stem is still present. If a stem is still there, the end was removed too soon from the vine; it should look like a belly button.
- By Touch
Get a sense of the weight of a melon by picking it up. It is ready to eat if it feels hefty for its size. Continue with the next melon if the first one is light or hollow. Run your fingers around the rind and give the melon a very light squeeze if it passed the smell, look, and weight tests. A mature cantaloupe should be firm without becoming brittle, but it should also have some give. Next, look for soft areas. The melon can be excessively ripe if there are a lot of mushy areas. It’s okay if there are a few tiny mushy patches as long as the remainder of it is still somewhat solid. Although the cantaloupe should be eaten right away, it probably still tastes delicious.
- By Checking the stem
The stem end should be smooth, concave (indented), and spherical. Any remaining stem should be gone since a mature melon will naturally separate from its stem. If there is even a small amount of stem left, the farmer prematurely terminated the melon.
- By Picking and Giving it a Tap
An excellent cantaloupe needs to be substantial. Compare at least a couple of melons’ weights. Pick the one that weighs the most. You can also listen to the sound by lightly tapping the melon with your hand or fingers. You ought to hear a strong, bass sound. It’s not a good indicator if it has a high-pitched or hollow sound.
Things to Remember About Cantaloupe
Ripening: The melon will stop ripening after it has been removed from the vine. As a result, it’s critical to select a ripe melon at the market because it won’t keep getting riper on your kitchen counter.
Safety: Before cutting the cantaloupe, always give it a good wash because the melon’s skin may carry dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria. Rinse with running water and scrape the rind vigorously. Use soap sparingly because it can seep through the peel and into the fruit’s inside.
How can you Store a Cantaloupe?
Your ripe cantaloupe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days if you aren’t yet ready to consume it. If the melon you purchased wasn’t quite ripe, you can hasten the ripening process by storing it at room temperature. When it’s ripe, put it in the refrigerator. sliced melon can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days by covering it with plastic wrap or putting the sliced pieces in an airtight container.
Can you Freeze a Cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe may be frozen, but when you thaw it, the texture and structure are lost. This does not prohibit you from using it as smoothies, cantaloupe juice, cocktails, or frozen desserts like granitas can all be made with frozen cantaloupe.
Cantaloupe can be frozen for up to six months by cutting the melon into chunks and putting them in an airtight plastic container.
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4 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Cantaloupe
The following are five ways in which you can enjoy your Cantaloupe with a better taste:
Cantaloupe Caprese Salad: Place tomatoes and cantaloupe slices on a plate. Add some bocconcini, which are tiny balls of fresh mozzarella, on top. Olive oil should be drizzled over the dish before adding salt, pepper, and chopped mint.
Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salad with Sesame Seeds: Sliced red onion, cucumber, and chopped cantaloupe are combined with canola oil, rice vinegar, toasted sesame seeds, salt, and pepper.
Cantaloupe and Mint Slushy: Cut-up cantaloupe, lemon-lime soda, mint, and ice should all be pureed in a blender to enjoy the drink.
Gingery Cantaloupe and Raspberry Parfaits: 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger should only just come to a boil before being taken off the fire to chill. Drizzle over the cantaloupe slices and raspberry sorbet.
The bottom line
Fresh cantaloupes help with hydration, digestion, reducing inflammation, and more, in addition to being sweet and low in calories. You may help your body absorb more vitamins and minerals by including more Cantaloupe in your diet. However, there is nothing worse than cutting into a cantaloupe that you expected to be sweet, juicy, and ripe only to discover that it is inedible. It can be challenging to pick out a nice one at the grocery store, and there is no way to make up for a mistake since it won’t continue to ripen once you get home. We have shared some simple ways through which you can choose the best Cantaloupe. We hope you found this article useful and now you can also choose the best Cantaloupe by using the above-mentioned ways.
