Instructions

1. Head to your local fruit stand or supermarket. Most carry honeydew melon throughout the year, though they are most flavorful in late summer.

2. Check the melon's outer color. A ripe honeydew melon has a rich, creamy yellow color.

3. Handle the melon to check its freshness. A ripe melon should feel waxy on the exterior. This means the starch in the melon has turned to sugar so you'll wind up with a sweet, juicy melon. The melon should be firm all around except for the softer part near the stem. The best melons are fairly large and weigh about 5 pounds.

4. Smell the melon. It should smell sweet even from the outside.

5. Shake the melon a little. Ideally, you should hear the seeds inside rattle. Avoid melons that sound soupy or mushy inside as these are overripe and will taste sour.

6. Taste the melon. Some farmer's markets will let you do this if they are certain the melon is ripe.

7. Keep the melon at room temperature for a couple of days or until it's completely ripe before eating.