Watermelon is the ultimate summer fruit, perfect for cooling off on hot days. But picking a sweet one requires some know-how. Factors such as soil quality, temperature, and water levels can affect the taste of a watermelon. Here are some tips for picking the best watermelon at the market or grocery store.
Weight and shape
When choosing a watermelon, make sure it feels heavy for its size. Heavier watermelons usually contain more water, making them sweeter. As for shape, opt for rounder watermelons rather than elongated ones. Elongated watermelons tend to be more watery.
Skin look
When we want to choose a sweet watermelon, we should take a close look at the watermelon’s skin. Sweet watermelons often have small scars or dimples, indicating that insects were attracted to its sweetness. The colour of the watermelon can also be a clue. A dark and dull skin usually means that it is ripe, while a shiny one might not be ready yet.
Another thing to watch for is the field spot that is the area on the bottom where the watermelon rested on the ground. If this spot is white, the watermelon might not have much flavour. But if it is orange or yellow, that is a sign of a sweet watermelon worth buying.
The sound test
A classic way to check a watermelon’s sweetness is to give it a gentle thump with your knuckles. A sweet watermelon will sound like a drum. If you hear a dull or flat noise, it might not be ripe or sweet enough.
Using these tips, you can easily find a sweet and juicy watermelon to enjoy all summer long. So go ahead, make your summer days cooler and sweeter with a sweet watermelon!
