How to Choose The Right Watermelon?

With summer here, it’s time for one of the most iconic snacks of the season – watermelons! I can’t wait to indulge in my favorite summer treat and slice into one with a kitchen knife. During the summer when I was pregnant with Drew, I ate a lot of homegrown tomatoes, peaches, and watermelons. Drew now shares my love of watermelon, which has become our favorite snack during the summer. We always have a bowl of cubed watermelon and a bag of sliced watermelon in our fridge for snacking.

Choosing a good watermelon can be a challenge when shopping at a grocery store or roadside stand. However, roadside stands have the advantage of having the farmer who grew the produce right there to answer questions and provide expert advice. Moreover, their fruits are usually perfectly ripe, making it easy to make the right choice.If you are currently shopping alone, I would like to assist you. Recently, one of my Instagram followers expressed their dissatisfaction with the watermelon that they purchased from their local store. Therefore, I believe this is the perfect opportunity for me to share some of the knowledge that I have gained over the years.

Choosing the right shape of watermelon can affect its taste. Watermelons that are more round, like a basketball, are often labeled as “female” and are supposed to be sweeter than oblong or oval-shaped “male” watermelons.

Another important factor I often consider when selecting melons for our stores or for personal consumption is the bleached spot on the bottom of the fruit. This discolored spot indicates that the melon has been on the ground for a longer period and is more mature/ripe than those without the bleached spot.To ensure your melon is sweet and juicy, it needs to be fully ripe. If the melon is not yet ripe, it won’t have a sweet smell or flavor because it didn’t have enough time to mature on the vine.

One of the most well-known tricks for picking a good melon in the southern region is to listen to the sound it makes when thumping or knocking on it. A hollow sound indicates that the melon has more juice, which is preferred. Although I am not skilled in thumping, I find that the shape and bleached spot trick works best for me. If you are skilled in thumping or knocking on melons, know that I am envious of your abilities!

One more tip: when selecting a melon, examine the stem. If it’s dried out, the melon had enough time to ripen. If the stem is still green and flexible, the melon is probably not ripe yet and may not be as good.

I hope that my advice helps you to pick the perfect watermelon to enjoy during this holiday weekend and throughout the summer!