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How to Choose a Watermelon: 8 Tips to Try Out

By Elijah Chan

Everybody loves a good slice of watermelon. You can never really get enough of that deep red almost crystal flesh that’s crispy, sweet, and refreshing. But knowing how to choose a watermelon in a crate full of these giant green orbs can pose as a problem for those who aren’t experienced.

There’s no real way to know if it’s ready unless you cut it open. And just like the sales saying goes, “if you break it, you buy it.” We wouldn’t like that now, would we? Here are some tips and tricks to help you pick a good watermelon.

How to choose a watermelon: 8 tips to try out

Look for a yellowy-brown stem

The best-tasting watermelon will have a yellowy-brown stem, indicating that it has been ripened on the vine, which will give it the chance to soak up nutrients and mature in flavor.

A watermelon that has been picked too early, on the other hand, will have a green stem – and it’ll have less sweetness and overall flavor.

Knock on the watermelon

It might look a little stranger to passers-by, but hey, knocking on a watermelon proves you’re truly an expert.

You need to listen for a deep hollow sound – that’s the ripe watermelon sound. If the sound isn’t hollow, it’s likely that the rind – the ring of white stuff that surrounds the fruit beneath the skin – is too thick.

A bunch of good watermelon at the store
Pexels – Engin Akyurt

Look for dry, weathered spots

When picking watermelon, look for spots on the outside of the watermelon that is grey and black, textured and rough to the touch.

These spots are actually a good sign – they indicate that the watermelon has spent enough time on the vine, and the inside will be extra-sweet.

Look for stripes when you choose a watermelon

First off, look for a watermelon that has a strong and consistent stripey pattern.

If it’s just one color, it probably won’t be very tasty. The green should be deep, dark, and rich, and the pale stripes should be creamy, pale yellow.

When picking watermelon look at the stripes
Pexels – Karolina Grabowska

Look for the spot

Yellow spots in watermelon can be an indicator as well. At the base of the fruit, look for a large, pale spot that indicates how it sat on the ground.

Make sure that the spot is the same pale, creamy yellow color as the pale stripes across the skin of the fruit.

The rounder, the sweeter

If you’re a fan of sweet watermelon (and who isn’t?), this is something to remember. The rounder, ball-shaped watermelons tend to be sweeter than the oval-shaped fruits.

Know when are watermelon in season
Pexels – Elle Hughes

Shop in-season

When are watermelons in season? You can buy the best watermelons from around May to September. This is when they’ll taste the nicest.

You might find watermelons at a supermarket out of season, but they won’t taste as good as the locally-grown in-season stuff.

Check for “give”

When you choose a watermelon, make sure the outside isn’t too firm. It should have a little bit of “give” when you press against it. If it’s too tough on the outside, it won’t taste as nice.

Learn how to choose a watermelon
Pexels – Karolina Grabowska

Takeaway

Choosing the right fruit is something we should all know especially since it’s a skill concerning food. And when it comes to natural food products, knowing the best kind will always be to your advantage. With these tips and tricks, you now know how to pick a watermelon at the store!

Source: USA TODAY Life/ YouTube, Statista

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