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    Home » Ingredients

    How to Pick a Perfect Watermelon

    August 4, 2020 • Updated: July 20, 2022 • by Renée B. • This post may contain affiliate links.

    Knowing how to pick a good watermelon isn't a magic trick. Just remember: girls are sweeter, size matters, and your Mama was probably right.

    Two preschool-age girls eating watermelon slices outside at night.

    This image recalls one of my fondest memories from their childhood, and the second best watermelon I've ever eaten in my life. It was taken on a sweltering July night in the summer of 1995, in my Uncle Russel's backyard in Maryville, Missouri.

    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. I was thirteen, and I still remember the boy I shared it with.

    It seems like everyone has a watermelon memory or two. Likewise, everyone has a trick or idea about how to pick out a good 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!

    Text image: How to Pick a Perfect Watermelon

    Seven Proven Tips 

    Follow these tips for how to pick a watermelon, and - with a little luck - you'll soon be making your own watermelon memory!

    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.

    Garden Fresh Recipes

    Looking for some unique and delicious things to do with that perfect watermelon? Try one of these refreshing watermelon recipes!

    • Otai in small snifter-style glasses, garnished with watermelon cut-outs.
      Easy 'Otai (Polynesian Watermelon Drink)
    • Farmers Market Guide {Organized by Day of the Week} | The Good Hearted Woman
      Portland Farmers' Market Guide
    • 23 Quick Pickle Recipes for Your Garden Bounty
    • 45-degree image of gazpacho in a white bowl, garnished with marigolds and raw, chopped vegetables.
      Garden Fresh Gazpacho
    When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.
    ~ Mark Twain
    Pile of watermelons

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    About Renée B.

    Renée is self-taught home chef with a penchant for creating healthy(ish) comfort food recipes, and adapting vintage recipes for the 21st century cook. In her spare time, she writes unfinished novels and songs about cowboys.

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    1. Jade says

      August 01, 2019 at 12:05 pm

      Great tips and so many great recipes! Who knew there were so many watermelon recipes out there?

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        August 01, 2019 at 12:20 pm

        This list is only the tip of the iceberg!

        Reply
    2. Raia says

      July 25, 2019 at 10:58 am

      What a great round-up! So many delicious recipes to try. 🙂 Thank you for sharing my coconut & watermelon popsicles. 🙂

      Reply
    3. linda spiker says

      August 03, 2018 at 9:09 pm

      Thanks for including my recipe! Sharing!

      Reply
    4. Summer Sorensen says

      July 31, 2018 at 8:15 pm

      Great tips! I've always wondered how to take the guesswork out of the process.

      Reply
    5. Emily says

      July 31, 2018 at 12:23 pm

      Wow you have enough watermelon recipes here to keep me going forever, love this post!

      Reply
    6. Allison - Celebrating Sweets says

      July 31, 2018 at 11:55 am

      Such great tips! Thanks for sharing my mojitos and frose. I can't wait to try some new watermelon recipes!

      Reply
    7. Rae says

      July 31, 2018 at 11:40 am

      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!.

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        August 03, 2018 at 11:13 am

        I agree. So far it's been tough to find a good watermelon - under any circumstances - this year. I'm not giving up, though!

        Reply
    8. Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says

      July 31, 2018 at 11:36 am

      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 🙂

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        July 31, 2018 at 12:01 pm

        I actually have a fourth favorite, too, but that would just be showing off. ?

        Reply
    9. Annemarie says

      July 31, 2018 at 11:26 am

      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!

      Reply
    10. Adriana Lopez Martin says

      July 31, 2018 at 11:21 am

      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!

      Reply

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