There’s something magical about a perfect watermelon, especially when it brings back memories of hot days and cool, refreshing bites in the Caribbean. Follow these tips to pick the sweetest, juiciest watermelon.
Spotting a Sweet Watermelon: Your Quick Guide
Several factors influence the sweetness of a watermelon, from growing conditions to pollination and warmth. A sweet watermelon typically:
6 Tips to Pick a Sweet Watermelon
Look for the Yellow Spot
The first trick is finding the yellow spot, known as the field spot. This is where the watermelon sat on the ground and ripened in the sun. The richer and deeper the yellow, the longer it was on the vine, which means it’s sweeter!
Knock on It
This is a classic. Give your watermelon a good knock. If it sounds hollow, that’s a good sign. A hollow sound means it’s full of water and ripe to perfection.
Check the Webbing
Those brown, web-like marks on the skin are actually a great sign. They mean that bees pollinated the flower several times, and the more pollination, the sweeter the fruit.
Shape Matters
Watermelons come in different shapes—round or oval. The round ones tend to be sweeter, while the elongated ones are usually more watery. Go for round if you’re after sweetness.
Feel the Weight
Pick up a few watermelons and compare their weight. The heavier one is usually the better choice. A heavy watermelon is packed with water, meaning it’s juicy and ripe.
Uniform Color
A good watermelon has a consistent color. Avoid those with white streaks or uneven coloring. A uniform green color usually indicates a well-ripened fruit.
Summary
For the sweetest watermelon, look for a rich yellow spot, hollow sound, brown webbing, round shape, heavy weight, and uniform color.
