Old Farmer’s Advice: “When Buying a Pumpkin, Don’t Look at Its Size — Focus on These 4 Things to Pick the Best One!”

As a seasoned farmer with years of experience, this old man has gathered countless secrets about growing pumpkins. He also follows his own tried-and-true methods to ensure his pumpkins are soft, sweet, and delicious.

When autumn and winter arrive, pumpkins come into their harvest season. Many health-conscious people enjoy eating pumpkin once or twice a week. Especially for the elderly and women who care about beauty and wellness, pumpkin is often considered an essential food. However, despite their fondness for it, not everyone knows how to pick a good, high-quality pumpkin.

The old farmer shared that among the many customers who buy pumpkins, most can’t tell the difference between a good one and a bad one. Many simply leave the choice to the seller, saying, “Pick me a good pumpkin.” Having cultivated vegetables for decades, the farmer has developed valuable experience over time, always applying his methods to produce tender, sweet, and flavorful pumpkins.

Don’t underestimate this humble, inexpensive food. Research shows that pumpkin is packed with nutrients, including amino acids, carotenoids, pectin, various vitamins, fiber, iron, calcium, potassium, folic acid, and even progesterone — all of which are beneficial for health. It would be a shame to overlook such a nutritious ingredient. Today, we’ll share this old farmer’s tips for choosing the best pumpkins. He says:
“When buying a pumpkin, don’t focus on its size — pay attention to these four points, and you’ll get one that’s sweet, soft, and tasty.”

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1. Look at the color

Pumpkins are naturally orange, so to find a good one, you need to choose a fully ripe pumpkin. Ripe pumpkins typically have a deep, rich, and uniform orange or golden-yellow color. The deeper the color, the riper the pumpkin — and the higher its beta-carotene content. So, if you want a sweet and tender pumpkin, always pick one that’s deep orange or golden yellow.

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2. Examine the skin

A young, unripe pumpkin will have a soft rind that your fingernail can easily pierce. A ripe pumpkin, however, has a tough, hard shell. When selecting a pumpkin, press your fingernail lightly into the skin — if it’s firm and difficult to dent, that means the pumpkin is mature and of good quality. Mature pumpkins often have a yellow-orange or brownish tint.

If the pumpkin has visible ridges, choose one with deep, well-defined grooves. Some pumpkins also have a thin, whitish coating on their surface — this is a natural wax layer that forms as the pumpkin matures and indicates freshness.

3. Check the stem

The best pumpkins usually have dry, yellowish, shriveled, and firm stems. This is a clear sign that they were harvested when fully ripe. In contrast, if the stem is green and soft, the pumpkin was likely picked too early and will be less sweet.

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4. Tap and weigh

Gently tapping the pumpkin can also reveal its quality. Tap it lightly with your hand — if you hear a deep, hollow thud, it means the flesh inside is firm and mature. If the sound is sharp or high-pitched, the pumpkin may be unripe, thin-fleshed, or less dense.

Weight is another clue. For pumpkins of similar size, pick the one that feels heavier — a dense, heavy pumpkin means it has thick, juicy flesh and developed well. A light or spongy pumpkin, on the other hand, may have lost moisture or developed hollow cavities inside.

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In summary:
A high-quality pumpkin should have a deep and even golden-orange color, firm and unblemished skin, deep ridges (possibly with a light white coating), a solid thudding sound when tapped, and a heavy, sturdy feel.
Master these four tips, and you’ll easily pick a pumpkin that’s sweet, tender, and perfect every time!