Happy watermelon season!
Watermelons are available in supermarkets and farmers markets year-around, with peak season coming in the summertime.
But how do you know which one to choose? And how can you tell if a watermelon is ripe and ready for eating? Keep reading for tips on picking the perfect watermelon!
How to pick a ripe watermelon:
✅ Look for a dark green rind color, without light or yellow tones. The darker it is, the more sugar it contains.
Softer watermelons have a higher water content, higher sugar content, and more flavor than firmer ones.
✅ Pick a melon that has a little “give” when you press on it–it should feel firm, but if you press your fingers into the watermelon (gently!) they should leave an indentation. If it doesn’t give at all, then it’s overripe.
✅Another way know that a watermelon is ripe is to look at the ends of the melon. If they are brown and it has a yellowish-white color, then it’s probably not as tasty as a darker colored watermelon.
✅You can also tell if a watermelon is ripe by smelling it—it should smell like a fresh picked watermelon!
✅If you’re buying a whole watermelon, keep in mind that ones with larger diameter are heavier for their size. Choose one that feels heavier in your hand because it’s more likely to have more flesh inside.
If you slice into it and see black or dark spots on the flesh, don’t buy it–it’s overripe and won’t taste very good.
Here’s a really quick watercolor infographic you can use next time you want to buy a watermelon:
Cute Watercolor Watermelon Things!
If you’re into watercolor watermelon things, like me, I made a curated list of fun watermelon inspired things:
