While in the grocery store last week picking out the "perfect" watermelon a lady asked if I knew how to pick out a good one. My conclusion was that I knock on it and if it sounds like I am knocking on wood, then it's ripe! Yes that is what I base the "perfect" watermelon after.
After her question I decided to ask around, and do some investigating on how exactly to find the "perfect watermelon."
Characteristic of a good Watermelon
• A good watermelon has a symmetrical shape. It doesn't matter if the fruit is oval or round in shape as long as it is symmetrical.
• Press the skin of the watermelon in many different spots to test for firmness. It should not have soft spots.
• Dark green melons tend to be sweeter than those that are lighter in color.
• Watermelons are more than 90 percent water, so the juiciest melons are the ones that are very heavy for their size.
Ripeness Check
• My Test: Knock on the melon and if it sounds like you are knocking on hollow wood you probably have a ripe melon. If you hear a thud you're dealing with a melon that isn't ripe.
• The bottom of the watermelon will have a discolored spot. This is where the melon was in contact with the ground while it was growing. If this spot is light green the melon is not ripe. If the spot is a yellow-white color, it's most likely ripe.
• You do NOT want to buy a melon that has the light green spot thinking it will be ripe by the time you eat it. Watermelons do not continue to ripen once they have been picked!
• Scatch the surface of a watermelon with your fingernail. A greenish-white color beneath the outermost layer of the rind indicates a ripe melon.
• Shake it if you hear sloshing you have a rotten melon!
{watermelon slush}
{spiked}
What is your favorite watermelon-eque treat?
xo