Bright red and mouthwateringly juicy, watermelon is a nutrient-dense fruit that makes a refreshing low-calorie snack (1).
When ripe, it provides a great source of natural antioxidants, including lycopene, which is linked to several health benefits, such as protection against heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
While the best way to know whether a watermelon is ripe is to taste or check its red flesh, this is generally only possible after you buy it.
If you don’t want to go for pre-cut products, picking a sweet and juicy watermelon based on its looks can be quite a challenge.
Watermelons come in different sizes and shapes that vary from round to oval to elongated. They can all be a good choice.
Whichever you choose, stick to those with a firm and symmetrical shape, and avoid those with irregular bumps, dents, or cuts.
Irregularities may indicate that the watermelon received inconsistent amounts of water or was not pollinated properly. On the other hand, cuts or dents may point to the presence of insects or fungus (6).
A sweet and ripe watermelon should feel heavy for its size. This usually means that it’s full of water and therefore juicier.
In fact, water and fiber content seem to determine a healthy weight in fruits, including watermelon (7).
Watermelons are 91% water — a characteristic that explains its name. Eating water-rich foods like watermelon helps you achieve a greater feeling of fullness per serving while consuming fewer calories (8).
If you turn a watermelon upside down, you should find a yellow spot, which is also known as the field or ground spot.
A large, yellow spot indicates that it spent more time ripening on the vine and should be sweeter.
On the contrary, a whiter spot suggests that it was picked too soon and didn’t reach peak ripeness. Since watermelons don’t continue to ripen post-harvest, choosing a watermelon with a whiter spot means you will most likely end up with a plain-flavored one (6).
Another way to check the ripeness is by the sound a watermelon makes when you tap or slap it.
In fact, its popularity led researchers to develop a vibration analysis proven to help detect ripeness (9).
A ripe watermelon should have a deep sound when you thump it with your hand or fist, somewhat resembling a tenor. If it has a hollow or flat sound, it’s likely overripe (6).
Checking the firmness of a watermelon refers to the resistance of the rind or skin (6).
A ripe watermelon should have a thick rind that doesn’t give easily when pressured. The ones that do are generally overripe.
Also, if you scratch it with your thumbnail, you shouldn’t be able to cut through it.
A watermelon’s tail refers to the piece of stem that remains attached after the fruit is harvested.
Transporting water and nutrients that allow it to grow, the stem connects the plant’s leaves, flowers, and fruit to its roots.
A green stem usually indicates that the watermelon was harvested too early and will not be ripe, as it was still growing. On the contrary, a dried stem points to a ripe watermelon.
The following signs may help you determine whether a watermelon should be avoided (6, 10):
Internal indicators, such as a sweet taste and red flesh, are the only definitive factors when determining the ripeness of a watermelon.
However, some external signs may help differentiate the ripe ones from the immature, overripe, or spoiled ones. These include the melon’s weight, sound, and rind appearance.
By following some of the tricks above, you’ll be able to pick the perfect watermelon next time you’re on the hunt for a refreshing, healthy treat.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Slap it—gently! Give it a little gentle slap or tap. If it’s a dull, muted thudding sound, put it back. This kind of deadened sound usually means the rind is very thick and the melon has less of that refreshingly juicy red flesh to chomp down on.
To put it another way, when tapping a watermelon to determine its ripeness, what you want is a deep tenor-like sound that is not too low, not too high, but just sweet enough. Of course, the watermelon tapping test is fun to do and makes you look like you know your way around a melon, but its also a legitimate technique of discerning watermelon ripeness. So if youre looking to serve the best watermelon this summer, all you have to do is listen hard enough and that watermelon will sing.
Maybe youve got family that does this, or maybe you do it yourself because you saw other people doing it often enough. Whatever your reason is for tapping watermelons and listening for the sound that returns, you should keep doing it.
As May melts into June and the heat ramps up, so do the summer appetites. This means BBQs, ice cream, cold lemonade, and, of course, the crown jewel of summers crescent crown, the red ruby itself: watermelon.
As it turns out, there is some method to this melon tapping madness. According to Healthline, the sounds you hear back from the watermelon while tapping are a decent indicator of the melons ripeness. SFGATE explains what youll want to listen for is pitch — specifically, whether you hear back a hollow sound (which means its ripe) or one thats more similar to a ring (which means its less ripe).
To carry out this watermelon sound test yourself, simply tap on the watermelon with your finger and listen for what comes back to you. As said, if its high-pitched, odds are the fruit isnt quite ripe, while a hollow sound indicates a ripe(r) melon. Further, per MasterClass, a low “thud” is a sign that the watermelon is past its perfectly ripened stage and has entered overripeness.
A ripe watermelon should have a thick rind that doesn’t give easily when pressured. The ones that do are generally overripe.
A large, yellow spot indicates that it spent more time ripening on the vine and should be sweeter.
By following some of the tricks above, you’ll be able to pick the perfect watermelon next time you’re on the hunt for a refreshing, healthy treat.
If you turn a watermelon upside down, you should find a yellow spot, which is also known as the field or ground spot.
Watermelons are 91% water — a characteristic that explains its name. Eating water-rich foods like watermelon helps you achieve a greater feeling of fullness per serving while consuming fewer calories (8).
Vasili Kamotski slaps a watermelon
FAQ
What does hitting a watermelon do?
Why do people hit a watermelon?
What do you listen to when smacking watermelon?
What is a watermelon tapping test?
Of course, the watermelon tapping test is fun to do and makes you look like you know your way around a melon, but it’s also a legitimate technique of discerning watermelon ripeness. So if you’re looking to serve the best watermelon this summer, all you have to do is listen hard enough and that watermelon will sing.
What are the effects of watermelon on the stomach?
Excessive consumption of watermelon can cause bloating, nausea, and diarrhea due to its fiber and simple sugar content. It is recommended to eat a single serving.
How do you slice a watermelon?
Do not slice all the way through the bottom of the melon. Make lengthwise slices along the melon: Starting on the side of the watermelon about an inch below the peak, insert your knife with the tip pointing down. Make a lengthwise slice across the quarter, cutting down so the tip of the knife runs along the rind.
How do you eat a watermelon in summer?
Hold the top pieces in place, if necessary. Turn the watermelon into a bowl: Turn and pour the watermelon into a large bowl or plate. There are certain foods that just scream “summer,” and watermelon is definitely one of them. From its bright-colored flesh to it sweet, refreshing taste, this fruit is a summer essential.