Tips on Picking the Best Watermelon

A juicy, delicious watermelon is so refreshing in the summertime. There's a definite art to picking the very best watermelons and there are several tips to insure you make the right choice......

Think a bright green watermelon is the one to get? No! Pick the watermelon that looks more dull because a shiny skin means that it’s not yet ripe. Also on the outer rind, look for a yellow spot which indicates where it was resting on the ground. If the spot is darker, it’s more ripe. If it's white.... it hasn’t been on the vine long enough.

Weight also matters! The heavier the melon, the juicier it will be. A watermelon that’s heavier than the others means that there’s more water inside. Pick It Up...Big or small, the watermelon should feel heavy for its size. Also keep an eye out for bumps and irregularities because that could mean uneven ripeness and quality.

Give It a Thump. Tap the underbelly of the watermelon. A ripe one will have a deep hollow sound. Under-ripe or over-ripe melons will sound dull. If it’s too soft, it’s not ripe enough yet. You want it to be firm on the outside with a hard thud sound.

Buying watermelons at a farmers market (like we have in San Angelo) takes out much of the guesswork. Farmers know their business and will only harvest watermelons for sale when they're truly ripe. If you ask, the farmer will surely be happy to pick a melon for you.

Now you are ready to find and enjoy your sweet and perfectly ripened watermelons this summer.