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    Home » Recipes » Fruit » How To Pick A Watermelon

    How To Pick A Watermelon

    Published: Jul 24, 2019 · Modified: Jun 24, 2023 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe

    Choosing the best watermelon is easy if you remember the 5 S’s for How To Pick A Watermelon: Spot, Stem, Sound, Scale, and Skin.

    graphic showing the five S's for how to pick a watermelon

    It can be a little daunting to look at the mounds of watermelons in multiple bins when you don’t know which one to bring home with you. There are often several people standing around looking confused about the choices.

    So, I came up with an easy way to remember what to look for when choosing a watermelon so that you can quickly pick a delicious one and be on your way! 

    In This Post

    • 5 S’s for How To Pick A Watermelon
      • S for Spot
      • S for Stem
      • S for Sound
      • S for Scale
      • S for Skin
    • Bonus Tips About How To Pick A Good Watermelon
    • FAQs About Watermelon
    • Watermelon Recipes

    5 S’s for How To Pick A Watermelon

    a watermelon with a white spot and another with a creamy yellow spot

    S for Spot

    The watermelon spot is the place where the watermelon sat and ripened on the ground under the sun in the field. Look for a watermelon with a creamy yellow spot.

    If there isn’t a spot, skip that watermelon. If the watermelon spot is white like the photo of the watermelon on the left, it wasn’t allowed to fully ripen. Choose the one with a yellow spot like the one in the photo on the right.

    a green stem and a brown stem comparison

    S for Stem

    The second S in how to pick a watermelon is for STEM. Check the watermelon stem to see if it was allowed to ripen long enough. A green stem like the one on the left means that the watermelon was picked too early.

    Look for a brown watermelon stem like the photo on the right.

    a hand knocking on the rind to test for ripeness

    S for Sound

    Another indication of a ripe watermelon is a hollow sound when you knock or tap on the watermelon. If you hear a ping when you tap, the watermelon isn’t ripe enough yet.

    two scales weighting watermelon

    S for Scale

    For the juiciest watermelon, you’ll want to choose one that is heavy for its size. Find two watermelons that are similar in size and compare the two. The heavier one has more liquid inside.

    Many people get confused by this one because of course, a larger watermelon will weight more than a smaller one. But the key is to compare ones that are about the same size.

    You DO NOT have to actually go an weigh your watermelons on a scale but to test this theory, we did! After measuring the length and circumference of two watermelons to make sure there were almost exactly the same size, I weight the two melons and as you can see one if heavier. That is the one with more liquid.

    a watermelon

    S for Skin

    The fifth S in how to pick a watermelon is SKIN. Check the watermelon’s skin for bruises, open gashes, lumps, or bumps. Also, look for a dull or matte looking watermelon skin rather than a shiny one which can mean that it isn’t fully ripe yet.

    Bonus Tips About How To Pick A Good Watermelon

    Here are three more S’s for how to pick a good watermelon!

    Symmetry: Pick a watermelon that looks symmetrical meaning it is an oval or circle without any oddness to the shape.

    Softness: Gently press on the watermelon to check for softness. A good watermelon should be firm, not soft.

    Seeds: Check the sticker on the watermelon to see if it has seeds or is seedless. Both are good but make sure you check so that you are getting the kind you want.

    How to pick a good watermelon collage.

    FAQs About Watermelon

    When is watermelon season?

    Watermelon season is during the summer. The exact season depends on where you live and what the growing season is like.

    What do the watermelon stripes mean?

    The stripes on a watermelon are determined by what variety they are. There are over 1,200 varieties grown throughout the world!

    Is a watermelon a fruit or a vegetable?

    It is both! Watermelon can be considered a fruit or a vegetable depending on how you classify it.

    What is the best watermelon slicer?

    Check out my Watermelon Slicer comparison post showing various kinds of watermelon cutters, how to use them, how well they work, and which one is my favorite.

    What is the best way to cut a watermelon?

    See our post all about How To Cut a Watermelon into wedges, cubes, sticks, rounds, stars, and balls!

    How to pick a good watermelon.

    Watermelon Recipes

    • Watermelon Salsa is fun to eat from a watermelon bowl!
    • These adorable Watermelon Cupcakes are perfect for summer celebrations.
    • Watermelon Pizza is topped with cream cheese frosting!
    • This Watermelon Cake has watermelon baked inside it.
    • Make a Fruit Salad with bite-sized pieces of watermelon.
    How to pick a good watermelon.

    How To Pick A Watermelon

    Choosing the best watermelon is easy if you remember the 5 S’s for How To Pick A Watermelon: Spot, Stem, Sound, Scale, and Skin.
    5 from 6 votes
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    Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 watermelon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 watermelon

    Instructions

    5 S's For How To Pick A Good Watermelon

    • Spot: Choose a watermelon with a creamy yellow spot.
    • Stem: Look for a watermelon with a brown stem.
    • Sound: You should hear a hollow sound when you knock on the watermelon
    • Scale: The watermelon should weigh more than other watermelons that are similar in size.
    • Skin: The watermelon's skin should be free of bruises, gashes, lumps, and bumps. Also, choose one that is dull or matte looking.

    Bonus Tips

    • Symmetry: Choose one that is an even oval or circular shape.
    • Softness: A good watermelon should be firm, not soft when you press on it.
    • Seeds: The sticker on the watermelon will indicate whether the watermelon has seeds or is seedless so that you can choose accordingly.

    Notes

    Storage

    Store a whole watermelon at room temperature for 7-10 days.
    Course: Side
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

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    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 12+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

    « Watermelon Slicer
    Watermelon Cake Recipe »

    Comments

    1. Jayantbhai Maniar says

      May 21, 2022 at 12:44 am

      Excellent 👌 information

      Reply

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    Tonia Larson and Brian LarsonHi, We are Brian and Tonia Larson! We hope you enjoy our family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and tasty desserts!
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