The Way of the Watermelon


Some ways find an acceptable watermelon: 

  1. Look for a consistent and symmetrical shape. No matter what size and shape watermelons you buy, avoid melons with bumps, dents, and cuts. These signs can indicate that the fruit was inconsistently watered or wasn’t pollinated properly. The cuts and dents may announce the presence of insects or fungus. 

  2. Heavy for its size = good melon. If you pick up the watermelon and feel as though it's heavy for its size, it’ll usually mean the fruit is full of water and, thus, juicer. 

  3. Find a melon with a large ground spot. The ground or field spot of a watermelon is typically on the bottom of the melon. A large yellow ground spot indicates that the melon spent more time connected to the vine and should be sweeter. Avoid melons with white field spots which show that the fruit was picked too early and never hit peak ripeness; these melons are usually plain-flavored. 

  4. Pick melons that have a deep sound when tapped. Ripe watermelons give off a deep sound when tapped or slapped while overripe melons sound flat or hollow. 

  5. Thick rind. Good watermelons will have a thick rind that prevents you from scratching it. These rinds don’t give easily when pressured, and if they do, the melon is likely to be overripe. 

  6. Strong consistent stripes. Good watermelons will have a strong and consistent stripe pattern with the green stripes being a deep, dark green and pale strips being a creamy, light yellow. 

  7. Dry weathering spots. These spots are a good indicator of a watermelon’s sweetness. The spots are caused by extra sugar in the melon being extracted during the growing process.  




Sources: How to Pick a Watermelon: 6 Helpful Tips (healthline.com), How to Pick a Watermelon at the Store That's Sweet and Ripe (realsimple.com), How To Tell When To Pick A Watermelon - Justagric

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