How to choose the perfect watermelon.
Watermelons are one of world’s juiciest and tastiest fruits, but many people do not know how to find the best watermelon in the store.
There are a few tricks that you can use to identify the juiciest and sweetest watermelons before you buy.
1. Chose a watermelon that is round and symmetrical, rather than the long or tall variety. The round watermelons are female and have a sweeter taste.
2. Take a look at the bottom of the watermelon, and find one with the largest yellow patch. The larger the patch, means that the fruit was sat in the sun for a longer time, allowing it to ripen and become tastier.
3. Examine the tail of the watermelon. This is also known as the stem which sticks out in the middle. If this is green, the fruit is not ripe. Instead look for a watermelon with a dried out tail.
4. Test for weight. A good quality watermelon will feel heavier than other melons. This means it has more juice, and a denser fruit with more nutrients.
5. Look for brown webbing on the base. This looks like dirty bruises which web outwards on the watermelon skin. This webbing is a good sign, that the plant was over pollinated by the bees, making this watermelon even more delicious and sweet.
6. Never choose a watermelon which is a strange shape, this means that it may not have got enough water or sunlight during its growth.
7. Take a look at where the stripes of the watermelon meet at the centre of the base. The closer the gaps between the lines means the skin is thinner, with more fruit inside.
8. Thump the watermelon with the palm of your hand. A ripe watermelon will have a deep hollow sound with more vibration, whereas an under ripe melon will sound dull.
Be sure to keep these tips in mind when shopping for you next watermelon.
The seeds of this fruit can also be eaten or boiled into a healthy tea for some fantastic health benefits. Please see our other video on this to learn more.
Did you know that in Japan, square, pyramid and heart shaped watermelons are grown. These are quite expensive and are made by growing the fruits inside shaped molds.
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