Tips to pick a sweet and ripe watermelon
Watermelon and hot summer days are a perfect natural match—and it’s not just about taste. Watermelon is one of the most refreshing, hydrating, and cooling fruits you can eat when the temperature soars. Watermelon is over 90% water, making it one of the best fruits to prevent dehydration. It is part of the summer experience. Whether you’re at a barbecue, or a pool party, it is the fruit that brings people together, keeps you cool, and provides a sweet, juicy burst of relief from the heat.- Look for a Yellow Field Spot
- This is the patch where the watermelon rested on the ground while ripening.
- If it is creamy yellow, it means the watermelon is ripe. If it is white or greenish, it means the watermelone is underrripe.
- Tap for a Deep Hollow Sound
- Gently knock or slap the melon.
- A deep, hollow sound means it’s ripe and juicy.
- A dull or flat sound may indicate it’s overripe or underripe.
- Watermelon belly button
- The "watermelon belly button" refers to the blossom end of the fruit — the little round scar opposite the stem (where the flower once was).
- A small, tight "belly button" often indicates a well-developed, sweeter melon.
- A large, sunken, or very soft belly button may suggest:
- Overripe or mushy texture inside
- Poor development
- Less sweetness
- Gently press it, if it feels a little firm with just a tiny give, that's okay.
- Avoid Stem-Attached Ones
- If the stem is still green, it was likely picked too early.
- A dry, curled brown stem or no stem at all is better—it means it ripened on the vine.
- Heavy for Its Size
- The heavier one usually means it’s juicier and denser—a sign of ripeness.
- Brown Scars Patches
- These are the brown, rough, vein-like lines or scarring you often see on the outside of a watermelon.
- These marks form as a result of bee pollination. Frequent pollination stimulates the fruit to develop more sugars and grow properly.
- The scarring is a visible sign that the flower got a lot of attention from bees, which often correlates with a sweeter, more flavorful fruit. It is a nature’s fingerprint saying, “This one got a lot of love.”
- Elasticity test
- Press your thumbs gently on the rind, not too hard—just enough to feel resistance.
- What You’re Looking For:
- Firm and slightly springy: This means the melon is full of water (juicy) and the rind has a healthy tension—indicating ripeness.
- Very hard, no give at all: Could be underripe. Still maturing on the inside.
- Soft or spongy: Likely overripe or starting to rot inside. Avoid.
