How to choose watermelon: a shopping guide for those who are disillusioned with watermelon

2023 Author: Cody Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 19:13

From today you will no longer have to face the disappointment of an unripe and anemic watermelon, you will no longer have to repress the water due to a pulp that tastes of cucumber: from a profoundly inaccurate science, the result of frustration and heated discussions with the greengrocers, here how to choose watermelon perfect.

You will dominate the summer, you will be the watermelon messiahs.

That watermelon that once, as children, always seemed delicious to us and now, now that it is no bigger than us, it seems so insipid. What do you think is the truth: were our parents better than us at buying watermelons or are there no more watermelons than they used to be?

In any case, our vademecum is drawn up: how to choose watermelon more ripe, crunchy and sugary, with our advice.

Look for the sign of the earth

Yes, I am aware that this first piece of advice is halfway between Pocahontas and the Cumaean Sibyl, the Cosmos and our Destiny… but in reality, looking for the sign of the earth is literally what you should do. Let me explain: the watermelon, round, has a point of support on the ground which remains - consequently - in the shade unlike the rest which matures in the sun. The whole watermelon therefore becomes beautiful green except for that point of support which remains yellow … look for that "brand", a halo like the one you can see in the photo above:

• if it is nice and evident, it means that the watermelon has completed ripening on the ground;
• if it is difficult to identify or is absent, it means that the watermelon was harvested well before full ripeness

Observe the streaks

Many are deceived by the bright and shiny green of the skin of watermelons, a bit like in cartoons: in reality, you should discard the lighter and shinier ones and opt for watermelons from dark and opaque skin. Another indicator of the full ripeness of the watermelon is the distance between the lighter stripes: sharp and close streaks they indicate a beautiful ripe, juicy watermelon with a thinner rind.

Do not underestimate the stem

If in avocados - for example - the still green and "alive" stalk is a sign of excellent ripeness, in watermelon it is practically the opposite. The peduncle - petiole - in this case must be dry and curled at the end: it means that the watermelon is completely ripe. A stubborn peduncle, with traces of inflorescences and that there is no way to detach, is an indicator of an unripe watermelon.

Weigh it and …

This is not an exact science, but not so much because it is not true but rather because it is a very subjective assessment. Try to compare the weight of two more or less equal-sized watermelons: the heavier one contains more water, and is therefore more mature and - probably - sweeter. I summarize: a same size, choose the heaviest one.

..bassate

Unfortunately, this tip isn't an exact science either for the same reasons as above. Knock on the watermelon at the equator level and listen to the answer: if this is reciprocated with a dull and hollow sound then it could be ready to be enjoyed.

Do not let yourself be fooled …

At the supermarket they try to attract our attention (I include myself, because heck I fall into it more often than I would like) by putting there in all their splendor the mega slices of ruby watermelon already cut, that you see them and you already know that you will find it hard not to eat them already in the parking lot, dribbling and losing dignity as if there was no tomorrow. Here: hold on, because I have just shown you that grabbing them is a common instinct and it is also common to try to touch the center of the pulp to check its crunchiness. It would be a bit like sticking your hand into the only packet of chips at a party with a hundred guests who love chips. Do I have the idea?

… Nor be fooled by the size

One last recommendation, a different facet from the advice to weigh watermelon. Before, in fact, I suggested that you choose the heaviest watermelon among those of similar size. Now, however, I recommend that you do not choose the largest of all just because it is the largest of all: it is not necessarily the best, nor the most mature. Instead, pause to evaluate all the things listed so far and, rather, buy more than one!

Now that you know how to choose the perfect watermelon, go and enjoy it, but don't miss out on our recipe for watermelon granita and not even its less obvious uses in the kitchen.