How To Pick A Watermelon: The Definitive Guide

Watermelon is a quintessential summer fruit.

Versatile and sweet, watermelons can be eaten raw, grilled, or even pickled.

However you like it, Watermelon is one of those rare fruits that’s best when it’s in season.

And since the peak growing season for this beloved fruit is midsummer to early fall, now is the perfect time to stock up on watermelons.

After all, what’s better than eating a fresh-from-the-field piece of Watermelon?

Finding creative ways to enjoy the refreshing fruit throughout the year!

This article will serve as your go-to resource for everything related to Watermelon: from how to pick a watermelon easily to five fabulous recipes that feature this juicy treat as the main ingredient.

What To Look For When Picking A Watermelon

The first thing you should do is check the Watermelon’s weight.

The general rule of thumb is to pick a watermelon that weighs 10 pounds since any more than that could be overripe, and any less could be underripe.

Next, give the Watermelon a good feel.

And we mean feel it!

You should check its overall firmness and give it a gentle squeeze to check for any soft spots.

It would help if you also made sure that the Watermelon’s “ground spot” (the spot on the Watermelon where it was resting on the ground) does not have any moldy or discolored bits.

If it does, you should stay away from that piece of Watermelon.

You can also check the Watermelon’s color: it should be a vibrant gold, yellow, or orange.

A dull-colored watermelon is usually an indication of an underripe watermelon.

The exception to this rule is watermelons that have been genetically engineered as they can be bright yellow even when they’re not fully ripened.

How to Pick a Good Watermelon

If you follow the above tips, you should be able to pick a good watermelon easily.

But just in case: once you’ve selected the Watermelon you plan to purchase, give it a good thump.

The sound of the Watermelon’s thump will be mid-ranged and resonant—not high-pitched or low-pitched.

The more resonant the thump, the riper and sweeter the Watermelon will be.

You can also check the Watermelon’s underside for signs of rot by turning it over and gently lifting a couple of the leaves.

If the underside of the leaves is a light yellow (almost white) color, then the Watermelon is ripe.

The Watermelon is either unripe or past it’s prime if they’re green.

How To Store Watermelon

If you’re planning on enjoying your Watermelon within the next couple of days, there’s nothing you need to worry about.

Keep it in the fridge and far away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples, pears, and bananas.

If you plan on enjoying your Watermelon a little later, you should keep it in a cool (not cold) place like a fruit bowl or the top shelf of your kitchen cabinet.

You don’t want the Watermelon to get too cold since this can negatively affect its flavor.

If you live in a warm climate, you can even leave your Watermelon outside to enjoy during a barbecue.

6 Tasty Ways to Enjoy Watermelon

If you’re planning on eating your Watermelon soon after picking it, you can slice it up and enjoy it.

Here are six more exciting ways to enjoy Watermelon:

– Salad: Watermelon is an excellent addition to salads.

If you’re making a salad as a side dish or appetizer, try adding cubes of Watermelon to the mix.

If you’re making a salad as a main dish, you can make Watermelon the main ingredient with a few other ingredients thrown in for good measure.

– Juice: Watermelon juice is a refreshing way to beat the heat.

If you’re into juicing, add a couple of watermelons to your mix to get a healthy dose of vitamin C.

If you’re not into juicing, you can also make watermelon juice by blending Watermelon with a bit of water.

– Watermelon Sorbet: If you’re craving something a little more decadent, you can try making watermelon sorbet.

You can use watermelon chunks, puree, or even a combination.

Just make sure to add some sweetener like honey or agave nectar to prevent the sorbet from being too tart.

– Cheese Cake: You can use Watermelon instead of some of the usual cheesecake ingredients like graham crackers or even the crust if you’re ambitious enough.

You can also use Watermelon as the main ingredient of a cheesecake; blend it with a bit of cream cheese and sweetener.

– Cocktails: If you’re hosting a barbecue or picnic, you can make cocktails from Watermelon.

Juice a watermelon, mix it with other liquors and juices, and serve over ice.

You can use watermelon juice for virgin cocktails too.

Final Words

Watermelon is an excellent source of Vitamins A and C; it contains Vitamin B6, Potassium, and Magnesium.

It is best consumed in the morning, midday, and evening as the vitamins are metabolized best during these times in the day.

Eating Watermelon is a great way to get your daily recommended intake of vitamins and can be eaten as a snack or even as dessert! So, what are you waiting for?

Head to your nearest farmer’s market and stock up on watermelons while they’re fresh and in season!