How to Pick the Perfect Watermelon

Today | 2 min read

Choosing the right watermelon at the store or market can feel like a guessing game. From tapping the rind to checking the color, there are plenty of tricks people swear by. By paying attention to factors like weight, color and texture, you can increase your chances of bringing home a perfectly sweet melon.

Here’s how to choose a watermelon that’s ripe and ready to enjoy:

Look for the field spot

A field spot may be a sign of a ripe watermelon. This is the area where the watermelon rested on the ground while growing.

What to look for:

A creamy yellow or deep yellow spot
A clearly visible patch on the rind

Avoid melons with a white or pale field spot, this could mean the watermelon was picked before it was fully ripe.

Choose a heavy watermelon

A ripe watermelon should feel heavy for its size.

When you pick it up, the melon should feel dense and full of water. This usually means it’s juicy and well-developed. If two watermelons are the same size, choose the heavier one.

Check the shape

Look for a watermelon that has a uniform, symmetrical shape. Even shapes could indicate that the melon received consistent sunlight and water while growing. Avoid melons that are:

Lopsided
Irregularly shaped
Bulging on one side

Examine the rind

The outer rind could reveal information about ripeness. A shiny rind can sometimes indicate the watermelon was picked too early. A good watermelon usually has:

A dull or matte finish rather than a shiny surface
Firm skin without soft spots
Minimal bruising or cuts

Tap the watermelon

You may have seen people knocking on watermelons in the grocery store. While it may look strange, tapping could tell you something about the fruit. A ripe watermelon often produces a deep, hollow sound. If the sound is dull or flat, the melon may be underripe or overripe.

Look for webbing or sugar spots

Sometimes watermelons have brown web-like markings on the rind. These are sometimes called sugar spots. These marks could indicate strong pollination and higher sweetness. While not every sweet watermelon has them, they can be a good sign.

Consider the size

Bigger isn’t always better. Medium-sized watermelons are often more consistently sweet than extremely large ones. If possible, look for a melon that feels solid and well-balanced in size and weight.

Store your watermelon properly

Once you bring your watermelon home, keep it refrigerated to extend freshness.

After cutting, store watermelon pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within a few days.