It Only Takes 5 Seconds to Pick a Perfect Watermelon—and Avoid Getting Fooled by the Seller

After many failed attempts, this is my hard-earned "battle-tested" experience when it comes to choosing the right watermelon.

Calling summer the season of watermelon wouldn’t be wrong. There are few fruits as juicy and instantly refreshing. But the frustrating truth is, before I figured out the "golden rule" of picking a good one, I brought home countless bland, rind-heavy watermelons that were a complete waste of money.

So, how do you tell if a watermelon is good? Below are 5 foolproof tips that help me pick the perfect one at just a glance!

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1. Check the Skin

A good watermelon usually has bold, clear striping with alternating dark and light green colors. One interesting detail is that if you look closely, you'll spot the largest ring circling the fruit. If both ends of this ring align perfectly, it usually means the watermelon is round, evenly ripened, and has a beautiful, sweet interior.

Also, touch the skin. If it feels rough and slightly gritty—not smooth and glossy—it’s likely a fresh one. Shiny watermelons have usually been sitting around too long.

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2. Look at the Stem

The shape and color of the stem (or the spot where it was attached) can reveal a lot.

• A curved stem like a crescent moon often signals natural ripeness.

• A straight, stiff stem may indicate artificial ripening.

Moreover, if the stem is still bright green, the watermelon was likely picked too early, and the flesh will be pale and tasteless. In contrast, a small, slightly dry, naturally curled stem suggests the melon has ripened fully and will be juicy and sweet.

But don’t get fooled: some dried stems are from “dead vines,” meaning the watermelon was picked prematurely and won’t be flavorful. The ideal stem should be evenly curled, lightly dried out, and not shriveled—a sign of proper ripening.

3. Examine the “Belly Button”

Many people obsess over color or stripes but forget one key spot: the belly button, which is the small circle on the bottom where the flower once bloomed.

This tiny detail actually holds the secret to sweetness:

• A large belly button usually means thick rind and bland flesh.

• A small, slightly indented one is a strong indicator of thick, sweet, juicy flesh.

So next time you’re at the market, flip the melon over and check its belly button first—you’ll likely hit the jackpot 9 out of 10 times.

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4. Inspect the Field Spot

To know if a watermelon is truly ripe, look at the field spot—the part that rested on the ground while growing.

If it’s deep yellow or orange with maybe even a few brownish patches, congratulations—you’re looking at a sun-soaked, fully ripened, sweet watermelon.

If the spot is pale yellow or greenish, chances are the fruit was picked too early and lacks flavor. For best results, go for melons with large, evenly colored spots, which show they stayed on the vine long enough to soak up maximum sunlight and nutrients.

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5. Tap Test

This is the go-to method for many shoppers, but not everyone does it right.

Lightly tap the watermelon with your knuckle two times:

• If the sound is "dong dong", like an echoing drum, the melon isn’t fully ripe yet.

• If the sound is "thud thud", it’s likely overripe and the flesh may be mushy.

The perfect sound is "deep and crisp"—something like “bip bip”—which suggests the flesh is firm, sweet, and crunchy. That’s the one you want to take home.