How Do You Ripen a Cantaloupe?

To ripen a cantaloupe, store the cantaloupe at room temperature in a paper bag for 24 hours. Add a ripe apple or banana to the paper bag to hasten ripening.

  1. Gather the needed materials

    You will need a cantaloupe, a large paper bag, a ripe banana or apple and a place to store the cantaloupe for 24 hours.

  2. Put the cantaloupe in a paper bag

    Place the cantaloupe in a large paper bag, and add a ripe apple or banana to the bag. Fold the top of the bag over a few times to close the bag. The ripe fruit contains ethylene, a natural gas produced by ripened fruit that can help make fruits like cantaloupes ripen faster.

  3. Store the bagged fruit for 24 hours

    Store the paper bag containing the fruit at room temperature for 24 hours. Avoid placing the fruit in the refrigerator, as this hinders the ripening process.

  4. Check for ripeness

    Remove the cantaloupe from the paper bag. Test for ripeness by smelling the cantaloupe. If the cantaloupe smells sweet and slightly musky, it is ripe. Checking the surface of the cantaloupe for even netting also indicates whether or not the fruit is ripe. The cantaloupe should also be slightly soft to the touch.

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