How Do You Pick The Perfect Watermelon?

To select the perfect watermelon, look for a firm, symmetrical fruit free from bruises, cuts, or dents. The outside of the fruit should be dark green and dull, rather than shiny. When you lift the watermelon, it should seem heavy for its size, which means it is full of water and therefore ripe.

How do you pick a good watermelon?

Look for an orange creamy field spot. The darker yellow field spot usually means it was on the vine longer and is full of flavor. If the field spot is white that’s a sign that the melon is not quite ripe. Larger “webbing” or “sugar spots” means that the melon is seeping out sugar and is usually the sign of sweet melon.

How do you know if a watermelon is sweet?

Look for the Sugar Spots and Pollination Points – If you see black spots on the melon, this is where sugar is seeping out and indicates a sweet melon.

How can you tell if a watermelon is fully ripe?

A ripe watermelon should have a deep hollow sound when you thump the rind with your hand, similar to a knock on the door. An unripe melon will have a more high-pitched resonance, whereas an overripe melon will sound more like a thud.

Which watermelon is sweeter round or oblong?

Which watermelon is sweeter round or oval? The round-shaped watermelon is sweeter than the oval-shaped one. This is because the concentration of sugar is higher in the red pulp of round watermelons.

Which watermelon is the sweetest?

WSU found that the personal watermelon with the highest Brix value is the Pony Yellow, a lovely yellow-fleshed melon that scores a sugary 12.3 Brix. The icebox category tops out with another yellow-fleshed melon called Super Gold, which achieves a 12.8 Brix.

What does a good watermelon sound like?

A ripe watermelon will have a hollow sound when knocked. An unripe watermelon will have more of a higher-pitched sound, while an overripe one will make a “thud” or a lower-pitched sound. Pick up the watermelon and give it a good sniff.

What’s the best month to buy watermelon?

The best time for grocery store watermelons is when they’re in season. From May to September, stores will be supplied with melons at their peak from Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Texas, and California; these melons travel shorter distances than their off-season stand-ins, so they’re fresher when they get to you.

Can I ripen a watermelon once it has been cut?

Watermelons don’t continue to ripen after being harvested, unlike many other fruits. This means that it’s no good to just buy one melon and try to let it ripen on the counter.

What color is ripe watermelon?

yellow
If it is ripe, the color should be a creamy, almost butter-like yellow. The bigger the yellow belly and the creamier the color means the more time the melon spent ripening on the vine. However, if the spot is smaller or looks more white than yellow, then the melon may not be as ripe.

Can you eat an unripe watermelon?

Underripe watermelons are safe to eat, but they aren’t particularly enjoyable. Unripe melon tastes diluted and watery, instead of sweet.

How long does it take for a watermelon to ripen?

It’s typically a range like 80 to 120 days. If you’re growing watermelon from seedlings your bought, just note when flowers open. It typically takes about five calendar weeks for a watermelon to go from flower to ripe fruit.

What do the stripes on a watermelon mean?

If the watermelon is ripe, the ‘belly spot’ will be white or yellow. If you can see the stripes through the belly spot, it may not be ripe.” A smooth rind usually indicates a good fruit. “You might try to avoid melons that are over-lumpy,” Egel said.

Are darker or lighter watermelons better?

The bigger and darker the patch is, the better. Watermelons should be a darker green. Very light watermelons may not have ripened long enough on the vine. The watermen should have contrasting dark with lighter stripes.

How do I stop my watermelon from picking mushy?

Avoid a mushy, mealy watermelon by slapping one end of the melon while feeling the other end. The higher the vibration, the better the melon. The mushy melons don’t transfer shock waves as well as the juicy, ripe ones.

Why is my watermelon crunchy inside?

When a watermelon gets too ripe for its own good, the juicy crisp texture of the flesh can turn gritty and dry. If you cut it open, you might see the flesh actually pulling away from the seeds. If your watermelon is mealy, it’s still safe to eat.

What state has the best watermelon?

Florida has historically been the top producer of watermelons and accounted for 19 percent of the 3.9 billion pounds of U.S. watermelon production in 2012.

What kind of watermelon is all dark green?

Icebox Watermelon Types
Watermelon plant varieties in this genre include the Sugar Baby and the Tiger Baby. Sugar Babies are sweet pulped with dark green rinds and were first introduced in 1956, while Tiger Babies are golden once mature in about 75 days.

Is watermelon skin poisonous?

The most popular part of the watermelon is the pink flesh, but like its cousin, the cucumber, the whole thing is edible. This includes the green scraps that usually end up in the compost bin. The rind, which is the green skin that keeps all that water-logged delicious fruit safe, is completely edible.

Should watermelon be refrigerated?

Storage & Shelf Life of Whole & Cut Watermelon
Store watermelon between 50-59°F, however 55°F is the ideal temperature. If watermelon are received refrigerated do not break the cold chain and store them in refrigeration. Watermelon will keep for 7-10 days at room temperature.

How long does a watermelon keep?

Whole watermelons keep for approximately a week at room temperature and two weeks in the refrigerator. In the fridge, cut watermelon will last between 3 and 5 days. Make sure it’s tightly wrapped, so it doesn’t dry out. Freeze watermelon only if you can utilize it frozen, such as infusing water or making a smoothie.