How to Tell If a Watermelon Is Good or Not?

Heft the melon.

Watermelon, with its juicy, tasty flesh, is a ubiquitous treat of summer. There's nothing like a cool watermelon on a hot summer day. Packed with lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant, watermelons are also good for you and low in calories. Watermelons are not enticing, however, if the flesh is soggy and lacks flavor. While the sweetest watermelons are dependent on a long, hot summer's worth of growth, there are some steps you can take to pick a good watermelon out of the bunch at the supermarket.

Instructions

1. Lift the watermelon. Compare the weight to other, nearby melons. Ripe watermelons are heavy, with thick rinds. The melon should have a solid, substantial feel to it.

2. Rotate the melon. Each watermelon will have a lighter spot where it rested on the ground. This spot should be creamy yellow, not white or light green. The latter choices signify that it was harvested before it was ripe.

3. Insect the watermelon carefully. If it has bruises, cuts or dents, put it back. The rind should be dull, not shiny, and the shape of the watermelon should be relatively symmetrical.

4. Hold the melon in front of you and rap it with your knuckles. Some swear by this method, while others say it does not work. The melon should sound "full" and have a higher "note" to it. Watermelons that have a deeper sound might signify that the melon is not yet ripe.

Tips & Warnings

• Watermelon can be stored in the fridge for two to three days after cutting it open. Seal it with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Watermelon
• The New York Times; How to Choose a Watermelon; Kim Severson; August 2010