Tips For Buying, Storing And Serving Melons

There are two broad classes of melons - watermelon and muskmelon, such as cantaloupe, honeydew, Crenshaw, casaba and santa claus.

Muskmelons should give slightly when pressed at the blossom end. Their odor should be sweet and perfumy.

Choose melons heavy for their size. Avoid those that are soft, shriveled or moldy.

Store slightly underripe melons at room temperature, preferably in a paper bag pierced in several places. Placing an apple in the bag will speed ripening.

Store whole, uncut melons in refrigerator for up to five days.

Store cut melons, sealed in plastic wrap, up to three days.

For best flavor, serve melon cool or at room temperature.

When buying watermelons, slap the side of the melon. If it resounds with a hollow thump, the watermelon is probably ripe. The rind should be evenly colored, dull and should just barely yield to pressure.

Store whole melon in refrigerator up to one week. Or, keep the melon in a cool, dark place up to four days.

Store cut watermelon in refrigerator, tightly wrapped, and use within two days.

Unlike muskmelons, watermelon tastes best served very cold.