Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

Decatur, GA

Like 4 Clip

Choosing a Ripe Melon

It's terribly disappointing to cut into a watermelon and find that it is still mostly pink inside and has little sweetness to the meat. But what do you look for when choosing one at the grocery? How can you pick the ripest one?

There are two reliable methods:

Yellow Belly

Examine the underside of a melon. Ripe ones will have a cream or yellow belly, unripe ones will be white or green.

Slap Test

Ripe melons will sound hollow when you slap them. But what does "hollow" sound like?

Practice on your body. Give your forehead a couple of light slaps. Repeat on your chest. Repeat on your stomach. Notice how the sound changes for each one. The sound your stomach makes when slapped is the "ripe" sound you're looking for.

It's best to compare three watermelons side by side. You'll easily be able to pick the one that sounds most hollow when slapped.

Like | Clip

1
Like | Clip

9 Comments

Beverly T Dallas, GA

Thanks for sharing. I always wondered what to look for when getting a watermelon from the grocery store. I will have to have my kids do the slap test. They should enjoy this but not on each other. I planted some watermelons in earthboxes and they are starting to appear. I think I planted the Sweet Crimson which are not too big. I can't wait to cut into it to see how it tastes.

on Jul 02, 2012 · Like 0
Steve G Fort Collins, CO

Thanks again, Walter. I love watermelon, but I often miss on the sound test. I will have to remember the color test.

on Jul 02, 2012 · Like 0
Jim G Suffolk, VA

Thank you Walter! Good to know.. shared it with wife and kids!

on Jul 02, 2012 · Like 0
Stacey Max Meadows, VA

Thanks for this info!!

on Jul 02, 2012 · Like 0
Cooper S Ashland City, TN

Words of wisdom, Thank you.

on Jul 02, 2012 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

This is great! We can never pick a good watermelon. Hopefully this will help. Thx, Walter!

on Jul 03, 2012 · Like 0
Hometipster.com Columbus, MS

That is a really great tip. If anyone wants to know how to grow watermelons I have a guide just for you .... http://hometipster.com/how-to-grow-watermelo...

on Jul 03, 2012 · Like 0
Sherry L Deridder, LA

My husband picks the best melons. He taps them with a knuckle till he finds one that sounds very hollow, then looks for a green stem for freshness.

on Jul 04, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Thank you Walter. We picked one out out today & it is perfect. Your posting is great timing for 4th of July.

on Jul 04, 2012 · Like 0