How to Pick a Watermelon That's Sweet and Ripe Every Time

Learn how to tell if a watermelon is a good one with these simple tips.

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Key Takeaways

• A ripe, flavorful watermelon will have a creamy yellow field spot, strong stripe patterns, dry webbing spots, and feel heavy for its size.
• Use the “knock test” to listen for a deep, hollow sound, which signals juicy ripeness, and opt for rounder melons over oval ones for sweetness.
• Skip any watermelons that are shiny, soft, or unevenly shaped—dull, firm, and symmetrical is the way to go for the juiciest results.

Knowing how to pick a watermelon is a skill that can make or break a summer soiree because few things are more disappointing than slicing into a tasteless watermelon. (Eating a pineapple that isn't ripe comes very close.) Avoid that feeling of remorse by applying these tips for picking a perfectly ripe watermelon.

A few simple visual and audible (yes!) indicators are all you need to leave the grocery store with a sweet, flavorful melon every time. Once you've picked the best of the best, put it to good use by picking out a refreshing watermelon recipe. Here's what to look for when buying a watermelon at the grocery store or farmer's market so you can be sure you've got the best melon every time before cutting into it.

01 of 07

Find the Field Spot

One of the most important indicators of the quality of a watermelon is the color of its field spot, that large, discolored spot on the surface that tells where the watermelon sat on the ground as it ripened:

• A creamy yellow or near-orange field spot indicates a melon full of flavor.
• A white or light yellow field spot signals a watermelon that lacks flavor, so you may want to choose another one.

If you're picking a watermelon in the field or from your own garden, its stem may tell you if it's had enough time to ripen:

• A stem that's dry and yellow-brown signals it's mature.
• A green stem may signify the watermelon is not yet ripe and will lack flavor and sweetness.

02 of 07

Look at the Stripes

The coloring of your watermelon helps indicate the ripeness of the fruit. Pick a melon that has a strong, consistent stripe pattern. Its green stripes should be a deep dark green, while its pale stripes should be a creamy light yellow.

03 of 07

Knock On It

Though your fellow grocery shoppers may shoot you an inquisitive look, knocking on your watermelon may help you choose the best one. Give your fruit a gentle tap and listen to the sound it makes:

• If the pitch sounds deep and hollow, the fruit has more water and is likely ripe.
• If your knock sounds higher-pitched and dense, it may signify the rind is too thick and the fruit has not fully ripened.

04 of 07

Check for Spots

Grayish-brown dry weathering spots and vein-like webbing lines are great indicators of an extra-sweet watermelon. These spots show where sugar has been seeping out of the fruit, so inspect all sides of your melon before you commit to one.

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05 of 07

Choose the Heaviest One for Its Size

Get a quick workout in while you shop by lifting watermelons to find the perfect one. A good one feels heavier than it looks because the denser it is, the higher the water content and the sweeter the watermelon.

06 of 07

Select a Rounder Shape

Look for a watermelon that's rounder and more evenly shaped, as opposed to an oval one. Rounder melons are sweeter, while oval ones tend to be watery and less flavorful. Also, steer clear of watermelons with irregular lumps on their surface.

07 of 07

Go for Firm and Dull

Regardless of its size, choose a watermelon with a firm exterior. An overripe watermelon can easily be punctured, so feel the exterior to check for firmness. Look over the whole melon and, if you find soft spots, cuts, dents, cracks, or other signs of damage, move on.

Additionally, you want to choose a dull-looking watermelon. A shiny rind likely indicates an underripe melon.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do watermelons ripen after picking?

  Watermelons do not continue to ripen once harvested. The ripening process stops the minute a melon is separated from the vine. This means that, unlike bananas and pears, it won't work to set a watermelon on the kitchen counter and expect it to ripen.

• How long do watermelons from the store last?

  Uncut watermelons can last on your counter at room temperature for seven to 10 days. Once cut, watermelon is good in the refrigerator for three to four days. For peak freshness and longevity, the best time to purchase a watermelon is during peak season, May through September.

• Should watermelon be refrigerated?

  Refrigeration depends on whether a watermelon is whole or has been cut. Keep whole watermelons on the counter at room temperature to maintain their sweetness and overall flavor. After cutting a watermelon, store it covered in the refrigerator to keep it from drying out and going bad.
  

• Can you freeze watermelon?

  Yes, you can freeze watermelon provided you adhere to these dos and don'ts:

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  • Don't freeze a watermelon whole.
  • Don't freeze any melon pieces with rind or seeds.
  • Do flash-freeze bite-sized pieces first, and then bag those pieces in a freezer-safe container.
  • Do store watermelon flesh in the freezer for up to 1 year.
  Learn More: Can You Freeze Watermelon?