Q&A for How to Ripen a Cantaloupe

I regularly have experienced my canteloupe getting sweeter and riper after cutting. I wasn't expecting it, but, that's what happened. Last time, I had gone so far as to cube it as well.

No, but putting it in a brown paper bag should speed up the ripening process. Just wait until it smells sweet and the ends can be pressed in a little, then it's ripe.

Possibly. You may try the paper bag trick overnight, but do not expect a miracle.

It's pretty hot outside when they are on the vine and they survive. Why would one night kill them? Cut it open, if it looks or smells differently then it should, don't eat it. If it looks and smells fine, it should be fine.

Make a cylindrical cage for it using mesh wire fencing (like chicken wire) with half-inch openings in it. Tie it together with the metal wire it comes with. Make it big enough to allow for bigger growth.

Yes, but make sure that you use natural pink salt instead of table salt as it brings out the natural sweetness of the cantaloupe. You can use brown sugar, cayenne or anything you enjoy. It is all up to your personal taste.

Yes. Cantaloupe will ripen after being cut from the vine, but will not increase in sweetness.

No, the heat of the microwave will actually evaporate much of the juices and dry it out.

No, it will not ripen once it is in the refrigerator.

I would refrigerate it, because the cold slows down the actual chemical process of "aging" that turns your beautiful ripened cantaloupe into compost. It's best if you bring it back to room temperature before eating it, though.