How to Choose a Perfect Watermelon That Will Impress 9 Out of 10 People

Size of the Watermelon

When buying a watermelon, avoid choosing one that is too large or too small. Opt for watermelons of medium size, weighing between 1.5 to 3 kg, which is just the right amount.

Watermelon Stem
A sweet, juicy watermelon should have a curved stem, resembling a pig’s tail. If the stem is straight, it indicates that the watermelon isn’t fully ripe and will not be as sweet.
Additionally, pay attention to the color of the stem. If the stem is green, it might mean that the watermelon was picked too early and isn’t fully ripe.
A good watermelon will have a small, dried-up stem, ideally with a twisted appearance, indicating that it is fully ripe.

Watermelon Belly Button
The “belly button” of a watermelon is a small circular mark at the bottom of the fruit. By examining this, you can tell how sweet the watermelon is. The smaller the belly button, the thinner the skin, and the juicier the flesh inside. Watermelons with a larger belly button usually have thicker skin and are less sweet.

Examine the Part of the Skin that Touched the Ground
Watermelons have a part of the skin that touches the ground. This part will have a different color because it’s not exposed to sunlight. If the ground-contact part is dark yellow, it indicates that the watermelon is ripe and sweet.
On the other hand, if this part is white or light yellow, the watermelon isn’t ripe yet and won’t taste as good.

Look at the Skin Patterns

Ripe watermelons will have distinct, evenly spaced lines on the skin. Watermelons with small, uneven, or broken lines are not ripe and lack sweetness.

Check the Bottom of the Watermelon for Yellowish Spots
Examine the color of the watermelon’s skin. The watermelon’s bottom, which has more contact with the ground, will have darker yellow spots. A young watermelon will have a greenish-yellow hue, while a fully ripe watermelon will be a rich yellow.
Yellow or orange spots at the bottom indicate a good-quality, sweet watermelon.

Male Watermelons Have More Water, Female Watermelons Are Sweeter

Male watermelons are generally larger, elongated, and full of water. Female watermelons are round, sweeter, and have fewer seeds.
To tell the difference, look at the bottom of the watermelon. The male watermelon will have a small circular mark, roughly the size of a coin, while the female watermelon will have a larger, more defined circular mark.

Tapping the Watermelon for Sound
A popular tip for choosing a watermelon is tapping on it with your hand. If the watermelon makes a deep “thud” sound, it is ripe and sweet. A sharper sound indicates the watermelon is under-ripe. If you hear a “pop-pop” sound, it means the watermelon is overripe with spoiled flesh inside and should be avoided.

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