Nothing says summer like biting into a crisp, sweet slice of watermelon. But choosing the perfect melon—one with deep red flesh, maximum sweetness, and a thin, juicy rind—can feel tricky if you don’t know what to look for. With a few simple tips, you can select a watermelon that’s as delicious as it is satisfying.
- Check the Field Spot (Sugar Spot)
The field spot—the patch where the watermelon rested on the ground while ripening—offers the first clue.
Look for a creamy yellow or golden spot. This indicates the melon ripened fully under the sun.
Avoid white or greenish spots, which often signal the fruit was picked too early.
- Examine the Rind
Ripe watermelons usually have a matte, slightly dull skin rather than a shiny surface.
Shiny rinds may indicate the melon was harvested before peak ripeness.
Look for webbing or brown sugar-like lines on the rind, which suggest natural sweetness seeping through.
Continue reading on next page…