Pick the Perfect Watermelon

I’ll admit—I have a slight watermelon obsession. My husband can attest to this. It is a rare occasion when a watermelon lasts more than a couple days at our house. Nothing says summer like a juicy, sweet, delicious watermelon melting in your mouth.

However, there have been times when I’ve picked a watermelon that is slightly less than desirable. I always feel dejected when this happens. So I decided to do some research on how to pick the perfect watermelon and avoid the post purchase disappointment.

Here is what I found:

1. 1. Choose a watermelon that feels heavy for its size.


2. 2. Look for a vibrant medium-green color and an A-symmetrical shape.


3. 3. There should be a creamy yellow spot on the bottom, not white.


4. 4. The green stripes should be broken and disconnected in places.

I am not sure exactly why these are good guidelines, but they are. I’ve been following them and have yet to be disappointed with my watermelon selection. It seems to be a bit more effective than my previous watermelon thumping method.

So go ahead and give it a try. I wish you the best of luck in all your future watermelon hunting adventures.

    Carrie Collette
    Monthly Newsletter Contributor since 2013
    Email the author! carrie@dvo.com