Melons

Look for the following characteristics when selecting melons. Cantaloupes: Smooth scar on stem end, with no trace of stem (called full slip, meaning the melon was picked ripe). Yellow rind, with little or no green. Heavy, with good aroma. Honeydew: Good aroma, slightly soft, heavy, creamy white to yellowish rind, not too green. Large sizes have best quality. Crenshaw, Casaba, Persian, Canary, Santa Claus: Heavy, with a rich aroma and slightly soft blossom end. Watermelon: Yellow underside, not white. Firm and symmetrical. Large sizes have best yield. Velvety surface, not too shiny. When cut, look for hard dark brown seeds and no white heart (hard white streak running through center).