Forget thumping it like a bongo drum. That tells you about water content, not ripeness. A ripe honeydew will have a slight give at the blossom end (the opposite end from the stem).
Press gently with your thumb. It should feel like a firm, ripe avocado, not a rock. If it’s rock-hard? It’s a rock. If it’s mushy? It’s a sad puddle. Aim for the sweet spot of “okay, I can squeeze a tiny bit.”
Think of it as a polite handshake, not a bear hug. The melon should respond, not run away. Polite pressure, people.
