In many ways, a watermelon is a lot like a Christmas gift: You’re pretty sure you’re going to like what’s inside, but you’re never really sure until you open it. Unlike a Christmas gift, however, with a watermelon, you’ll like what’s inside 100 percent of the time. (I’m about 75 percent with Christmas gifts.)
Since you can’t stealthily peel back the wrapping of a watermelon in the grocery store to sneak a peek at what’s inside, you’ll have to employ some different techniques to determine its “ripeness.” Personally, I use the following three-step process to find the right watermelon and I have to admit, it hasn’t failed me yet!
1. LOOK – Your watermelon should be firm, symmetrical and free of major bruises or scars. Some minor scratches are okay, however. After all, the purpose of that thick rind is to protect the delicious contents inside. Ripe watermelons should also be dark green in color.
2. LIFT – The ripest watermelons have the most water. And since watermelons are 92 percent water, your watermelon should be relatively heavy for its size.
3. TURN – Turn your watermelon over and check out its bottom, which should have a creamy yellow spot (also called “the ground spot”). This is where the watermelon sat on the ground while it soaked up the sun at the farm. If this spot is white or greenish, your watermelon may have been picked too soon and might not be as ripe as it should be.
Now I know what a lot of you are thinking: “What about the sound test? You know, knocking, tapping, drumming or thumping on the watermelon to test its ripeness?”
Here’s my stance on using your watermelon as a bongo drum in the produce aisle: While it’s true that the “sound test” can give you some insight on a watermelon’s ripeness, I don’t endorse or use the test because it’s too subjective and there’s no definitive agreement on which result the test is supposed to yield.
Some say a ripe watermelon will produce a hollow sound, while a “thick” or “solid” sound indicates a watermelon that’s not ripe or too ripe. Others say a hollow or “tight” sound is bad, and your watermelon should instead sound “firm.” Still others say a ripe watermelon should produce a B-flat sound. (What?!)
In other words, you can tap-tap-tap all you want, but if you perform the three-part test we talked about earlier, you should have no problem finding a great watermelon. As always, if anyone has any other tips or can clarify the sound test (please!), feel free to leave a comment!
Dr. Penny Perkins-Veazie
Chef Harry Schwartz
Elizabeth Somer, M.A.
Josh Bailey
J-Slice
The yellow spot hint is a good one. I always avoided those melons.
Should I buy the watermelons that are cut in half? Are they still fresh?
I have always used “the bongo test”, now I know better, Thanks
Happy to help, Mary and Ray!
As for the the cut in half watermelons John mentioned, yes, they’re still fresh. But after a watermelon is cut, it must be consumed within a few days (kept in the fridge, of course), whereas a whole watermelon can last a week or two and still be good to go. (I’ve had whole watermelons last much longer if stored in a cool place, but don’t make a habit of it. Fresher is always better.)
Your grocery store produce team should keep the cut watermelons rotated so only the freshest ones are available for sale. If it’s got one, check the sticker placed on the watermelon to determine its age and gravitate toward the newest ones!
I’ve done all the steps listed above, and still end up with bad melons most of the time! Last time, I grabbed the melon with the creamiest underbelly I could find, and it was still unripe:(
Hmmmm…sorry about that, Lane. Like any magical fruit selecting method, it’s not perfect, but it should work most of the time at least. I’m guessing you’ve had a run of bad luck. Don’t let it deter you!
Thanks for sharing your insight. We came up with our own selecting methods. Have a look at http://heikohoffmann.de/fruits.htm
Thanks Heiko. The photos showing how to judge for sweetness are really interesting. I never knew that trick!
I recently learned the following to pick a ripe melon
1. hold one end of the melon in the palm of your hand
2. thump the other end (top)
3. if you feel a vibration through the melon on your bottom hand then it is ripe.
i’ve had really good luck with this.
I have always used the method of when the stem drys up. Is this leaving it on to long?
How do you tell when the melon is still on the vine
How can you tell when the melon is still on the vine. Are you to wait until the stem drys up?
The dry stem trick in the grocery store isn’t 100 percent effective, so I wouldn’t judge a watermelon solely by this method.
As for determining when watermelon is ripe on the vine, that’s a little tricky too. I personally don’t grow watermelons, so the best advice I can give you is to contact your local County
Extension Service Agent. They should be able to give more detailed
information on watermelon growing specific to your area. They can be contacted through http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/index.html.
Just click on your state, and it will direct you to extension services in your area.
If the curl is dead the watermelon should be ripe.
if curl is dried up the watermelon should be ripe.
I only buy them out of the back of a pick-up truck on the side of the road. I’ve never had a bad experience. Every time I buy one from the store, whether it’s Target, Sweetbay, Publics, or whatever, they are ALWAYS terrible. I’m always so disappointed that I wasted $5+. Go with the locals on the side of the road.
How do your tips prevent you from picking one that’s to ripe? My common problem
I was taught – by a crafty lady in the islands – the thump test, and to listen to the melon speak back. I listen for my thump to echo towards the center of the melon, to know if its a good one. I would have to admit, that I have at times, wondered if this really works. However, so far it has NEVER failed me. Maybe that ole island girl knew what she was doing.
When I tried to hold one end of the watermelon then thump the other end. It worked for me and it was perfect! Your tips also helped me. “Look, Lift, and Turn”!
Also Happy 4th of July!
When it comes to tapping for sound here is my theory:
Hollow sound means it is firm all the way through the melon. As a result, it is either ripe and ready to eat or possibly a little on the green side. From this point you would need to look at the color (as discussed above in the article) to distinguish if it is green or ready to eat. If the sound is flat than the melon is definitely in the stages of being/becoming over ripe. If it is over ripe, larger melons tend to lose their symmetry by becoming flat on top. It is hard to write an article on a general “how to select a watermelon” because there are so many different varieties which show different traits when selecting the right one.
To sum it all together, the thumping sound can only inform you whether it is or is not over ripe. The chances of you selecting a watermelon that is not fully ripe (on the green side) should be slim considering the time it takes to get on the store floor (only if shopping at large retailers). Because it will still ripen with time. Hope this helps.
TAPPING DOES WORK! Scientific proof:
http://index.hu/tudomany/2011/08/26/erdemes_a_dinnyet_kopogtatni/
I’ve always used the tapping method and it’s always worked very well. I always listen for a “ringing” tap as opposed to a “dead” tap.