Isn’t it annoying to spend time and money trying to pick out the perfect watermelon only to get it home and find it has a disappointing texture or bland taste?
Selecting a good watermelon is an art form. Memorize these tips and impress your friends and family with your perfect pick.
Weight
A ripe melon should be heavy for its size, which hopefully indicates a firm texture. (But if the texture is less than ideal you can always make juice. Squirt in a little lemon for a zesty surprise)
Shape and size
Choose a medium size watermelon with a uniform shape. Try not to over think this.
Sheen
Shiny means under ripe. Choose one with a dull sheen. With watermelons, unlike with people, dull equals brilliant.
Markings
Look for a melon with brown, web-like markings. Sounds counter-intuitive to choose one with brown veins but that indicates bees pollinated the flower many times and it should be sweeter. You can trust the bees on this one as well as for many other things.
Color
Look for a big, yellow/orange splotch on one side. That means it rested in the field and ripened on the vine. Imagine getting excited over a large yellow splotch.
Luck
As in most things, luck plays a crucial part. Choose wisely but remember: A watermelon is like life — you never know what you’re going to get.