Smellin' melons

You see them in the store; people tapping, smelling, massaging, and sniffing melons for ripeness. So what's the secret to finding a juicy gem? Here are some tips.

*A beige-skinned honeydew with prominent green veins is ripe, but one that is pale yellow suggests time on the vine. A good melon is firm but not hard.

*Stem ends should be moist and smell sweet.

*If you knock on the melon, the sound should be deep and thick, which means a full-fleshed fruit.

*A watermelon rind should have a healthy sheen.

Source: The Learn 2 Guides