How to tell if honeydew melon is ripe: Use this simple trick in the grocery store

Honeydew melon is a fruit salad staple, but it doesn't always get its moment in the spotlight. It often plays the role of a "filler" in bowls and platters.

But don't discount it. The fruit boasts many nutritional benefits  – honeydew is low in sodium and high in potassium, which can help with blood pressure. Its fiber and fluid content can also support digestive health and it's a low-calorie snack for those managing their weight, experts previously told USA TODAY.

Inspired to grab one from the grocery store? Here's how to find a perfectly ripe honeydew melon.

Know your melons: Honeydew 101

Before you pick a winner, you've got to know your way around a melon. These two things are true for any type of melon:

• Melons should feel heavy for their size: A denser melon is packed with more juice, more sugar and more flavor
• Melons have a stem end and a blossom end: The stem end connects to the plant and the blossom end is where the flower grows. The stem end curves in like a belly button and the blossom end domes out.

Take your time to compare and handle several melons before you pick one. Settle for a happy medium – you want a melon that’s firm but not too firm, fragrant but not smelly. 

How to pick honeydew

You can gauge the ripeness of a honeydew melon mostly from the rind.

1. Look for a creamy yellow to white skin: A good honeydew is green on the inside, not on the outside.

2. Avoid cracks or bumps: Honeydew melons have textured surfaces, but they shouldn’t have cracks or bumps. Scales or scarring around the stem are fine because they indicate a higher sugar content.

3. Dull and matte skin is best:Avoid green spots, which are an indicator of underripeness. But, like a banana, some brown spots are fine. It means the honeydew is extra sweet. But only pick a spotted melon if you plan to eat it the same day because it may rot quickly.

4. Feel around: Ripe honeydews should feel firm with a little give, like a cantaloupe. They also may have a little stickiness, because honeydew naturally produces a type of oily surfactant.

5. Press the ends: The stem and blossom end should be slightly soft but not mushy, which indicates overripeness.

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