How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon

Did you know that most watermelons have a sign that tells you when its ripe? The sign says "I'm ripe!" If you look for it, you will find it.

Instructions

Step 1

Look for the yellow

On most watermelons there is a tell-tale mark that you should look for when buying or picking a watermelon. Pick up the melon and or turn one over and look on its underside.If it is a ripe melon it will have a yellow round spot on its underside.  Most stores hide that yellow mark and show only the pretty green rattle-snake rind. Any green rinded watermelon will have this yellow circle on its underside, this is the side that touches the dirt the melon was growing on and it will be there, if the melon is ripe.Keep looking until you find that yellow mark, you are the one paying for it so dig, dig, dig.

Step 2

Inspect the stem end. A ripe watermelon, no matter the color or if its seedless or has all its seeds, will have this sign of ripeness. The stem will be withered and turn brown.  If this stem is green, that melon is not ripe - pass on by!

Step 3

Knock and you will know

Last but not least and less reliable is the rap-test. You can do the rap test, however it is not always the best test for ripeness.Gently knock on the melon and listen to the sound it makes. A ripe watermelon will sound hollow when you tap on it with your bent knuckle; do this just like you knock on your neighbors door. Do not buy a melon that doesn't sound hollow. When you knock, it should answer.

The yellow mark!

Here is a good example of the yellow mark on the underside of the watermelon. This is the mark for which you are looking. When you find a watermelon with the yellow mark, buy it.  It will be found on any ripe watermelon with a green rind.

Tips & Warnings   

*Watermelons will not ripen if picked when under-ripe or green, they just go bad.

*Do not wait too long to eat the watermelon, they do not get sweeter with age.

*Do not waste your money on a melon that does not have the yellow mark on its belly.

*Watermelons can be heavy, make sure you can lift it before you try to carry it to your car.

*Once in your car, place the watermelon where it will not roll around - a ripe melon can break easily  and make a mess.

*To safe-guard against contamination from a broken melon-If you pick your own watermelon, make sure to cut it off the vine as opposed to pulling. Pulling the melon off the vine could crack the melon rind.

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