How to Pick the Best Ripe Watermelon
My top tips for picking the perfect ripe watermelon, every single time!
Are you a watermelon lover? For me, summer time is all about digging into a perfectly sweet and refreshing ripe watermelon.
But do you feel like you can never quite pick the ripest watermelon? When you get to the store and are looking out at a sea of slightly different shades of green, are you lost? Do you find yourself slapping a watermelon because you’ve seen others doing it, but don’t really know what you’re looking for even as you do it?
If any of those describe you, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. In this guide, I’ll spill all the juicy secrets on how to choose a ripe watermelon that will satisfy you summer sweet tooth.
My family is pretty much obsessed with watermelon. So I’ve had *a lot* of practice picking out watermelons. Last summer I also had a post with my watermelon tips actually go viral (my first ever viral post!), and so was able to get additional feedback and advice from some more experienced watermelon pickers and produce workers.
Hopefully these tips can change your ripe watermelon picking game too!
When is Watermelon Season?
Summertime is watermelon time! Watermelons are in season from May through September, with July being the peak picking and eating time.
What Kinds of Watermelon Are There?
There are actually more than 1,200 varieties of watermelon, but just a few that you see out and about in regular grocery stores. In the US you’ll probably most commonly find seeded, seedless and mini.
How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon
Here are the tips you’ve all been waiting for!
1. Weight and Density: Pick One Heavy for its Size
This tip has been the number one game changer for me. I pretty much get an arm workout every time I go watermelon shopping because I spend a good amount of time picking up and testing the weight of so many watermelons. But! It’s so worth it. The heavier the watermelon, the better. If I’m picking between two watermelons that look about the same in appearance, I always go for the heavier one. Of, if I have two that look good, but one is smaller and heavier, I’ll go with that one. There’s something about a denser watermelon that ends up being so much sweeter and crisper.
2. Appearance: Look for a Big Spot
With watermelons, appearance really does matter. Look for a watermelon that’s uniformly shaped and free from bruises or blemishes. And the real secret is to check out that yellow spot.
Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with the watermelon! Flip it over and inspect the bottom, also known as the field spot. A ripe watermelon will have a creamy, dull, yellowish field spot. This means it’s had plenty of time to ripen on the vine and is ready to be devoured. Watermelons that have a larger field spot and a webbing pattern stemming from it are your best bet! These signs indicate that the sugar is seeping through the skin, promising a sweet and flavorful pick. I learned that from a produce worker who commented on my post last year, and so far his advice has worked for me!
3. Sound: Tap Away and Listen for a Hollow Sound
Do you ever wonder why you see people slapping or knocking on watermelons? Well, it really can help you pick out a good one! Give a watermelon a tap or a knock on its belly, and listen for a deep, resonant, and hollow sound. That almost always guarantees a juicy and ripe interior.
4. Stem and Tail: Check Them Out
Who knew the stem and tail could tell you so much about a watermelon? If you spot a dried-up stem, it’s a good sign that the watermelon has fully ripened. On the other hand, if the stem is green and fresh-looking, it might indicate that the watermelon was picked prematurely. Not all watermelons will have the stem left on for you to inspect, but if it is there than take advantage of the extra check to see if you’re picking a good one.
5. Size: Pick Out the Biggest Watermelon Possible
This doesn’t have so much to do with picking a ripe watermelon as it does with just getting the most bang for your buck! Here in the US there’s usually a flat price for one watermelon, so whether it’s small or big you’ll pay the same amount (as versus paying by weight). If that’s the case for you, then you might as well try to get the biggest watermelon you can! But, I always prioritize Tip No. 1, and go for a watermelon that’s heavy for its size. So if I’m deciding between a larger watermelon that feels lighter, and a smaller one that’s heavier, chances are the smaller heavier one will be denser and juicier so I’ll go for that one.
Those are my top tips for picking the perfect ripe watermelon! I hope they help and that you’ll enjoy many juicy and delicious watermelons this summer. Let me know if you have any to add, and stay tuned to see some fun themed meals using watermelon coming to the blog. Happy picking!