You will always pick a perfectly sweet watermelon with these unexpected tips.
A watermelon’s tough, thick rind makes it seem impossible to tell what’s hiding inside. Never fear! These tips on how to pick a watermelon will help you choose a melon that’s perfectly ripe and juicy.
1. Check the vine
Unlike apples, avocados, and bananas, watermelons do not ripen off the vine, which makes the moment in which the melon is picked so crucial. You can make sure that you’re not being cheated by inspecting the “tail”, or vine, of the fruit. If it is shriveled up, then you are good to go; if it is green, then that means the melon was picked too early.
2. Sound
Give the melon a pat and listen for a hollow, drumlike ring. A flat or d.e.a.d thud can clue you in about bruising, overripeness, or a lack of juiciness.
3. Do the “sniff test”
OK, so you might feel a bit self-conscious if you get caught with a watermelon to your nose in your local supermarket, but this trick really DOES work. Simply sniff the rind of the melon—if you pick up on a slight sweetness, then it is ready to eat!
4. Consider the date
Though it’s not always common for supermarkets to slap a “sell-by date” on fruit, it may behoove you to know that watermelons do reach a spoiling point. When picked at peak ripeness, your melon should last you 3 to 4 weeks.
5. Sweeten it up
Now, let’s say that you forget about these helpful tricks and end up with a less than desirable watermelon sitting on your kitchen counter. If this happens to you, don’t think about trashing that fruit—simply sprinkle some salt on that bitter piece of watermelon, and eat away!
Nonetheless, even if you follow our guidelines and end up with a perfect specimen, you may still want to try this food hack anyways. It sounds counterintuitive, but salt is actually known to amplify sweetness. Cool, huh?!
To learn about even more ways you can advance your watermelon-picking skills, be sure to check out Brightside’s article . Get ready to delight in some super sweet watermelons this summer!
What do you think of these melon picking tips? Have you tried any of these out yourself? How do you ensure that your fruit is ripe? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences!
Source: bhg.com, 99easyrecipes.com
