June 12, 2007...6:02 PM

Works-For-Me: Picking A Good Watermelon

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watermelon.gifSummertime always means there will be plenty of watermelon consumption in our house. We prefer super sweet and crisp melons, but how does one guarantee that the melon you pick from the overflowing bins at your local market will fit your criteria? Here are a few simple tips that I always abide by:

1. Knock or slap several different watermelons while they are still sitting in the bins. Find the one with the hollowest sound and the highest pitch.

2. Make sure the melon is firm and symmetrical, without bruises, cuts or dents.

3. The watermelon should be heavy for its size.

4. The belly or underside of the watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened.

For more Works-For-Me-Wednesday ideas, please visit Shannon of Rocks In My Dryer.

20 Comments

Filed under Cooking, Food, Life, WFMW

20 Comments

  • Becky
    June 12, 2007 at 6:44 PM

    My trick for picking out watermelon? Always buy them at Costco in Shoreline, I don’t think I ever got a bad watermelon from there. And never buy it from Winco in Hillsboro, OR, they have always been bad.

  • kymburleev
    June 12, 2007 at 7:28 PM

    Okay, I have to laugh at Becky’s comment, because I used to shop at that very same Winco and the watermelons were horrible! Thanks for the advice!

  • Carrot Jello
    June 12, 2007 at 8:22 PM

    Oh great Kimberly, I just bought a watermelon at Winco tonight. Here’s a tip I learned last week (I bought this one at Safeway) If you’re cutting into your watermelon, and water comes gushing out, don’t even bother to finish cutting it. Just throw it in the trash.

  • Overwhelmed!
    June 12, 2007 at 8:58 PM

    I saw that Safeway had watermelons on sale this week. I’m going to go thump me some watermelons! :)

    Thanks for the tip!

  • Leslie
    June 12, 2007 at 9:16 PM

    I love watermelon, but I hate to get a yucky one! thanks~

  • jenn
    June 12, 2007 at 10:07 PM

    oh man did i need these tips. watermelon is a staple in this home and i am so tried of wasting money on ones that aren’t any good. my youngest will be so pleased since watermelon is his FAVORITE FAVORITE!!! thank you thank you

  • Robin
    June 12, 2007 at 10:26 PM

    We had watermelon for dessert tonight. YUM! I heard to also look for scarring on the skin which has something to do with insects and means its a sweet melon (or something like that). I’d like to think I’m an expert picker, but think it really hit or miss. I’ll try your tips.

    In the late summer/fall there is a farmer who comes to our Farmer’s Market who sells “dry farmed” watermelons. They are the best.

  • Nikki
    June 13, 2007 at 4:45 AM

    Thanks for the hints. Watermelon sounds like a great thing to have in this heat!

  • Alice
    June 13, 2007 at 5:20 AM

    Thanks for the tips. I just read somewhere how to make homemade popsickles by putting watermelon (without the seeds Ü) in a blender and then pouring it into popsickle molds or paper cups with spoons. The kids think these sound great so I guess I’ll be out thumping some melon soon too.

  • biblestyle
    June 13, 2007 at 6:09 AM

    I had heard the same advise from a watermelon farmer at the Farmers Market. It always works for me too. And it definitely put me in the mood for some!

  • Cherie
    June 13, 2007 at 8:39 AM

    We LOVE watermelon at our house! Thanks for the tips!

  • pippi
    June 13, 2007 at 9:41 AM

    This is exactly the method I learned as a child from the produce manager at our local store who had grown up on a watermelon farm. Works 95% of the time.

  • sincerelyanna
    June 13, 2007 at 11:48 AM

    Thanks for the list of things to look for. Very helpful!

  • Mandy Houk
    June 13, 2007 at 11:55 AM

    Oh, goody! I get so disappointed when I wind up with a flavorless, crumbly watermelon.

    I can’t wait to go spank some!

  • Meg
    June 13, 2007 at 12:14 PM

    MMMMM that makes me want to go shopping for a watermelon right now!

  • Jen
    June 13, 2007 at 12:53 PM

    Here’s another one that I learned from my BIL who grew up on a melon farm in Green River, UT.

    Never buy a watermelon that has any chunk or part of a stem still attached. When watermelons are picked when they are ripe, the stem snaps completely off. If there’s part of the stem, that means it was picked green and won’t be as good.

    Also, for max health benefits, its best to leave your watermelon on your counter for 3-4 days before cutting into it. Staying at room temperature before refrigerating maxes out the lycopene which is really good for you (and great for your DH’s prostate.) After it sits out for a few days, then put it in the fridge to chill if you love your watermelon chilled before eating.

  • Lucy
    June 13, 2007 at 3:46 PM

    The DH thinks he could lure me into a trap with watermelon, no matter how bad the trap was. I love the stuff, and I hate buying a bad one. I’ll be sure to avoid the Hillsboro, OR Winco too (though that won’t be too hard for me).

  • superhappygirl
    June 13, 2007 at 7:55 PM

    “creamy yellow spot”. That’s pretty much the only hting I can ever rememeber. I always tap on the melons but don’t know what I should listen for.
    Thanks, great tip.

  • mary west
    May 26, 2009 at 11:27 AM

    THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT TIPS!!! I WILL ALWAYS TRY TO PICK A GREAT ONE, BUT IF IT TURNS OUT NOT TO BE GOOD, BACK IT GOES. I AM TIRED OF WASTING MY MONEY ON INFERIOR PURCHASES. MOST PLACES SAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.

  • Sandra_Dalene_VanAlstine
    August 1, 2009 at 4:57 AM

    Sandra Dalene VanAlstine – Wanted to introduce myself

    Thanks
    Sandra Dalene VanAlstine


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