A watermelon’s tough, thick rind makes it seem impossible to tell what’s hiding inside. Never fear! These tips on how to pick a watermelon will help you choose a melon that’s perfectly ripe and juicy.
1. Check the vine. Unlike apples, avocados, and bananas, watermelons do not ripen off the vine, which makes the moment in which the melon is picked so crucial. You can make sure that you’re not being cheated by inspecting the “tail”, or vine, of the fruit. If it is shriveled up, then you are good to go; if it is green, then that means the melon was picked too early.
2. Sound. Give the melon a pat and listen for a hollow, drumlike ring. A flat or d.e.a.d thud can clue you in about bruising, overripeness, or a lack of juiciness.
3. Do the “sniff test”. OK, so you might feel a bit self-conscious if you get caught with a watermelon to your nose in your local supermarket, but this trick really DOES work. Simply sniff the rind of the melon—if you pick up on a slight sweetness, then it is ready to eat!
4. Consider the date. Though it’s not always common for supermarkets to slap a “sell-by date” on fruit, it may behoove you to know that watermelons do reach a spoiling point. When picked at peak ripeness, your melon should last you 3 to 4 weeks.
5. Sweeten it up. Now, let’s say that you forget about these helpful tricks and end up with a less than desirable watermelon sitting on your kitchen counter. If this happens to you, don’t think about trashing that fruit—simply sprinkle some salt on that bitter piece of watermelon, and eat away!
Even if you follow our instructions to the letter and wind up with a perfect specimen, you might want to attempt this culinary hack nonetheless. Although it may seem contradictory, salt has been shown to enhance sweetness. Isn’t that cool?!
Check out Brightside’s post to learn about even more techniques to improve your watermelon-picking talents. This summer, be ready to savor some incredibly sweet watermelons!
What are your thoughts on these melon-picking suggestions? Have any of these piqued your interest? How do you tell if your fruit is ripe? Please share your views and experiences with us!