Knowing how to pick a watermelon that is perfectly ripe isn’t a magic trick. Just remember: girls are sweeter, size matters, and your Mama was probably right.
“When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.”
The picture above is one of my all time favorites. It was taken on a sweltering July night in the summer of 1995, in my Uncle Russel’s backyard in Maryville, Missouri. The little girl on the left looking straight into the camera grew up to be a dedicated, compassionate teacher, and her sister is now a talented photographer with a gift for capturing light. This image recalls one of my fondest memories from their childhood, and the second best watermelon I’ve ever eaten in my life.
The best watermelon I’ve ever eaten was on the shores of Spirit Lake in the shadow of Mount St. Helens, a few years before she blew her top. It was the first of my “coming-of-age” summers, and I still remember the boy I was sitting with. (His name was Shawn, and he was beautiful.)
Coincidentally, the third best watermelon I’ve ever eaten was, like the second, grown and eaten in Missouri… and even as I type that, it occurs to me that my summer memories are as entwined with the feels and flavors of ripe watermelon as a field of vines.
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Perfectly Ripe: How to Pick a Watermelon
It seems like everyone has a trick or idea about how to pick a watermelon. Some are based in science, while others are wisdom passed down from our grandmas.
The tips that follow have proven themselves over time to be reliable. However, no matter how many tricks you learn for how to pick a watermelon that is perfectly ripe, there will always be a little mystery and magic involved – that’s one of the things that makes a perfect watermelon so special!
Follow these tips for how to pick a watermelon, and – with a little luck – you’ll soon be making your next watermelon memory!
How to Pick a Watermelon: Seven Proven Tips
1. Check the “Field Spot.”
The yellow spot, known as the field spot, is the place where the watermelon rested on the ground as it was growing. The yellower the spot, the riper the melon. A ripe watermelon will have a creamy yellow or orange-yellow spot. If the field spot is white or very pale yellow, choose another melon.
2. Look for “Webbing.”
When you see weblike brown spots on the watermelon, it means that bees touched the pollinating parts of the flower many times. The more pollination, the sweeter the fruit.
3. Avoid bumps & blemishes.
Other than webbing, note any lumps, dents, soft spots, or other irregularities. If the watermelon you’re considering is covered with blemishes or bumps, choose another.
4. Girls are sweeter.
Did you know that there are male and female watermelons? Male watermelons are more elongated, usually bigger, and can have a flat, watery flavor. Female watermelons are usually rounder and sweeter.
5. Size matters.
Don’t go for the biggest or smallest melon in a group: try to choose an average sized melon that feels heavy for its size. A ripe watermelon will feel heavier than one that is less ripe. (I use this trick for choosing oranges, too.)
6. Check the tail.
If your melon still has its tail, check to be sure it has dried up. If it’s still green, it means the watermelon was picked too early. Similarly, the surface of the melon will turn from shiny to dull and the rind will noticeably harden when the melon is ripe.
7. Thump it!
Your Mama knew what she was doing! Go ahead and give it a good knuckle-thump, and then take note of how it sounds. You want to hear a deep, hollow sound. If the sound is dull, the fruit likely isn’t quite ripe.
Now that you’ve picked out your perfect watermelon, here are 101 things you can do with it!
Beverages [Kid-Friendly]
- Creamy Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie {Earth, Food & Fire}
- Easy Creamy Watermelon Drink {Sarah’s Cucina Bella}
- Fresh Watermelon Cucumber Mint Juice {Orchids & Sweet Tea}
- Fresh Watermelon Strawberry Soda {Yay! For Food}
- Non-alcoholic Watermelon Mojito {Watch What U Eat}
- Mango Watermelon Frappé {The Organic Kitchen}
- Otai (Polynesian Watermelon Drink) {The Good Hearted Woman}
- Sparking Watermelon Mint Lemonade {Lively Table}
- Strawberry Watermelon Punch {Delicious on a Dime}
- Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie {Sidewalk Shoes}
- Summer Cooling Watermelon Detox Water {Watch What U Eat}
- Vegan Watermelon Slushy {Clean Eating Kitchen}
- Virgin Frozen Watermelon Margarita {Coffee With Us 3}
- Watermelon Agua Fresca {My Salad Daze}
- Watermelon Berry Refresher {The Pretty Bee}
- Watermelon Fireberry Tea {The Nutrition Adventure}
- Watermelon Granita with a Hint of Mint {The Fare Sage}
- Watermelon Kombucha Shake {Melissa Torio}
- Watermelon Lemonade {Caroline’s Cooking}
- Watermelon Mint Lemonade {Just a Little Bit of Bacon}
- Watermelon Mint & Lime Slushie {Homemade Recipes}
Beverages [Adults only]
- Caribbean Inspired Watermelon Rum Punch {Hearth & Vine}
- Frosé (Frozen Rosé Wine Slushies) {Celebrating Sweets}
- Grilled Watermelon Habanero Margarita {Easy Cooking with Molly}
- Paleo Watermelon Margarita Slushies {What Great Grandma Ate}
- Prince Harry’s Cookout – Ginger& Grilled Watermelon Cocktail {Ramshackle Pantry}
- Refreshing Watermelon Mimosa (with Non-alcoholic Option) {Imagelicious}
- Strawberry Watermelon Sangria Slushie {Flavour & Savour}
- Tropical Watermelon Gin Slushies {Build Your Bite}
- Watermelon Breeze Frosé {Sparkles of Yum}
- Watermelon, Lime & Tequila Granita {Sidewalk Shoes}
- Watermelon Margaritas {Certified Pastry Aficionado}
- Watermelon Margarita Slush Bucket {3 Yummy Tummies}
- Watermelon Mojito {The Missing Lokness}
- Watermelon Mojitos {Celebrating Sweets}
- Watermelon Mojito Coolers {Windy City Dinner Fairy}
- Watermelon Sangria Light Summer Cocktail {2 Cookin’ Mamas}
- Watermelon Thyme Sour {Renana’s Kitchen}
- Watermelon White Wine Slushies {Build Your Bite}
- Watermelon Wine Slush {Wanderlust & Wellness}
Frozen Treats
- 2-Ingredient Watermelon Gelato {Dreena Burton}
- Coconut & Watermelon Popsicles {Raia’s Recipes}
- Kiwi Watermelon Fruit Popsicles {Food with Feeling}
- Strawberry Watermelon Popsicles {Home & Plate}
- Spicy Watermelon Frozen Lemonade {The Gift Gabber}
- Watermelon Ice Cream {Jonesin’ for Taste}
- Watermelon Lime Italian Granita Ice {She Loves Biscotti}
- Watermelon Margarita Popsicles (No Added Sugar) {Salt & Lavender}
- Watermelon Mojito Popsicles {If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen}
- Watermelon Popsicles {Ditch the Wheat}
- Watermelon Sorbet {Beyond the Chicken Coop}
Salads
- Basil Balsamic Ricotta Salata Grilled Watermelon {She Loves Biscotti}
- Greek-Style Watermelon & Tomato Salad {Karen’s Kitchen Stories}
- Grilled Watermelon Salad {Go Go Go Gourmet}
- Kale, Chard, Watermelon & Avocado Salad {Fuss Free Flavors}
- Kale, Feta & Watermelon Salad {Hungry Healthy Happy}
- Mexican Watermelon Salad {Our Happy Mess}
- Pineapple Melon Mint Salad {Served From Scratch}
- Red, White and Blue Watermelon Blueberry Salad {Tasty Galaxy}
- Refreshing Watermelon Mint Feta Salad {Delicious Table}
- Spicy Arugula Watermelon Salad {Rhubarbarians}
- Strawberry & Watermelon Salad with Mint & Feta {The Organic Kitchen}
- Summer Watermelon Cherry Salad with Feta {Happy Food Tube}
- Super Simple Summer Salad {Anne Smiles}
- Ultimate Grilled Watermelon Salad {Don’t Go Bacon My Heart}
- Watermelon Arugula Salad {Home & Plate}
- Watermelon, Cucumber & Jicama Salad with Coconut Lime Dressing {The Rising Spoon}
- Watermelon Blueberry Salad {Veggies Save the Day}
- Watermelon & Arugula Salad with Feta {Pinch & Swirl}
- Watermelon Caprese Salad {Insolence & Wine}
- Watermelon, Feta & Arugula Grain Salad {Lively Table}
- Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad {Foodie Girl Chicago}
- Watermelon & Feta Salad {Simply Stacie}
- Watermelon Panzanella Salad {We Are Not Martha}
- Watermelon Salad with Jalapeños & Bacon {The Food Blog}
- Watermelon Tomato Basil Salad {Veggies Save the Day}
Salsas
- 5 Ingredient Watermelon Salsa {A Cedar Spoon}
- Watermelon Blueberry Salsa {Chef Catherine Brown}
- Watermelon Mango Salsa {A Cedar Spoon}
- Watermelon Peach Salsa {Haute & Healthy Living}
Soups, Skewers & Savory Dishes
- Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho {Grits & Pinecones}
- Grilled Fruit Skewers {Food with Feeling}
- Grilled Watermelon & Balsamic Chicken {The Creative Bite}
- Sesame Chicken & Watermelon {Onion Rings & Things}
- Sesame Miso Watermelon Poké {My Goodness Kitchen}
- Watermelon Beer Babyback Ribs in the Instant Pot {We Are Not Martha}
- Watermelon Gazpacho {Cilantro & Citronella}
- Watermelon Gazpacho with Feta Crema {Mother Would Know}
- Watermelon Vegan Poké Bowl {Veggie Society}
- Spicy Harissa Shrimp & Watermelon Bites {Rhubabarians}
- Take-Along Watermelon Skewers with Feta and Mint Pesto {Happy Kitchen. Rocks}
- Watermelon-Jalapeno Gazpacho with Feta {Simple Nourished Living}
Watermelon Mix [Sweets, Party Food & Misc]
- Easy Watermelon Cupcakes {Eats Amazing}
- The Definitive Watermelon Herb & Spice Pairing Guide {Mother Would Know}
- Homemade Watermelon Jam {Brooklyn Farm Girl}
- How to Make a Watermelon Basket {Don’t go Bacon My Heart}
- Mini Watermelon Cakes {Basil & Bubbly}
- Tipsy Tequila Watermelon Wedges {Simple Seasonal}
- Watermelon Brie Bites {My Suburban Kitchen}
- Watermelon Pizza {A Side of Sweet}
- Watermelon Pizza (Cooking with Kids) {The Gifted Gabber}
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You are talking my love language I absolutely love watermelon alone or in recipes its is just sweet and perfect for savory and sweet applications. Thanks for all the awesome ideas!
This is so helpful! My farm share often includes watermelon, and I never know how to pick the best one. I can’t wait to try these tips!
We are obsessed with watermelon come summer time, and this is an amazing huge round up of yumminess! I love that first photo, and I love that you have a first, second, and third favorite watermelon that you’ve ever eaten 🙂
I actually have a fourth favorite, too, but that would just be showing off. 😉
This summer has been the summer of flavorless watermelons despite them meeting all of the requirements for being ripe. You gathered some really great watermelon recipes!.
I agree. So far it’s been tough to find a good watermelon – under any circumstances – this year. I’m not giving up, though!
Such great tips! Thanks for sharing my mojitos and frose. I can’t wait to try some new watermelon recipes!
Wow you have enough watermelon recipes here to keep me going forever, love this post!
Great tips! I’ve always wondered how to take the guesswork out of the process.
Thanks for including my recipe! Sharing!
What a great round-up! So many delicious recipes to try. 🙂 Thank you for sharing my coconut & watermelon popsicles. 🙂
Great tips and so many great recipes! Who knew there were so many watermelon recipes out there?
This list is only the tip of the iceberg!