You know summer is really here when grocery stores begin to overflow with watermelon bins. And if you’ve ever tasted a perfect watermelon it’s a memorable experience worth duplicating. But most of us have also had the unfortunate experience of spending a good bit of money on a watermelon, lugging it home and taking the time to cut it up only to discover it’s not one that delivers the crisp, sweet experience you remember from eating a great one. Here’s how to pick out a perfect watermelon:
LEVEL OF RIPENESS
What separates a perfect watermelon from an awful or even so-so one is its level of ripeness. Watermelons need to be left on the vine until they are fully ripe and sweet. If you buy a less-than-ripe specimen, storing it carefully at home will not make it sweeter.
The key to determining ripeness is what’s called the “field spot.” Make sure your melon has a deep yellow field spot rather than one that is white or a very pale yellow. Also important is to pick one with a dull rather than glossy surface.
IMPORTANT TIPS
Here are the most important tips for better luck in picking out your next watermelon:
- Look for watermelons that are symmetrical and even in shape, have a dark yellow field spot, a dull surface, and brown webbing.
- Search for melons that feel heavy for their size and sound hollow when knocked on.
- Eat your watermelon within a week of bringing it home for the best taste
Finally, here are 10 great reasons you will want to include watermelon into your diet (which makes it more important than ever to pick a good one!).