The Down Low on Picking Excellent Watermelons
Choosing a good watermelon is a bit of a gamble. Should you thump it? Smell it? Cross your fingers and hope for the best? Picking a juicy, sweet, and ripe watermelon isn’t just luck. With a few insider tips, you can find a sweet watermelon every time. Read on!
The Two-Finger Rule
The two-finger rule is a fairly quick trick that will seem like magic. Put two fingers over the dark area on the watermelon. If the dark stripe is big enough to put your fingers on top, you have a winner. If it is small? Put it down, there's a better one out there.
Pick the Round Ones
Oblong melons may look impressive, but round melons tend to be sweeter and juicier. Why? Well, many believe it has to do with sugar distribution. They are the couch potato of snack foods; plump, round, and ready to roll at your next picnic.
Watch Out for Dark, Yellow Field Spots
The field spot is the creamy or yellowish patch on a watermelon. Darker, yellower field spots are usually indicative of watermelons with more flavor, but lighter and whiter field spots usually indicate a less flavorful watermelon. Simply put, the darker the belly, the better the bite.
Look for Webbing or “Hatches”
You see those brown, web-like scars? That’s where the bees did their happy dance. More webbing means more pollination, which usually means more sweetness. If your watermelon looks like a toddler scribbled all over it with a brown crayon, then congrats, you found a juicy winner.
Choose Darker, Duller Ones
A shiny watermelon is eye-catching; however, it probably isn’t ripe enough. Look for a darker, almost matte finish instead. Dull skin means mature fruit. Think of it like this: if your melon is trying too hard to shine, it might not be ready for the spotlight.
Give It a Knock
Yes, the good old thump test still applies. Knock on the watermelon like you’re politely demanding snacks. A ripe watermelon will have a deep and hollow "thump", like a drum. If it sounds flat or dull, it might not be the watermelon you want.
