Olde Hornet
Well-Known Member
The Only Way To Tell When a Watermelon is Ripe, According to a Farmer
There's one clear sign you should look out for.
How To Choose a Perfect Watermelon
The best way to tell if a watermelon is ripe is by picking it up to look for a yellowish spot underneath. “It should be dull in color and the belly or underside of the watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot,” says Carter. “This is where the watermelon sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.”Often called the field spot or ground spot, it should be a pale, creamy, buttery yellow if it’s ripe. If the area on the underside of the melon is light green or white, that means it hasn’t quite ripened yet.
When you pick up the melon to place it in your cart, be sure to get a good idea of its weight, too. “It should be heavy for its size because watermelons are 92% water,” says Carter. If you’re not sure, pick up another watermelon that’s the same size. The one that feels heavier will likely be more ripe.