How to store

Keep uncut melons at room temperature for two to four days or until fully ripe, then refrigerate for up to five days. You can refrigerate cut up melon in a covered container for up to three days. Remember that cut melons are aromatic and their smell will penetrate other foods.

Melon preparation is easy! Always wash melons in warm soapy water before cutting to get rid of any impurity on the rind that might be carried from the knife blade to the flesh. Then simply cut the melon in half and scoop out the seeds and strings.

Melons can be cut into halves, quarters, wedges, cubes, or scooped into balls with a melon baller.

Melons are best served at room temperature and are great seasoned with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to enhance the flavor.

• Make quick melon kebobs! Thread different melon varieties on a skewers.
• Stir melon into your cold fruit soups
• Use sliced melons as an attractive edible garnish
• Make melon boats by scooping out melon balls then refilling the shell
• For dessert, melons make a great addition to fruit salads. Try drizzling melon cubes with syrups such as hazelnut or orange for an enhanced taste.
  
• For appetizers, wrap melon wedges or cubes with thinly sliced prosciutto ham.
  
• Diced up melons also make great fruit salsas
  
• Melons can also be added to mains, for example, try adding melon cubes to a chicken or seafood salad.