Standing at the farmers market looking at the watermelons on the table, you scratch your head wondering "how the heck do I know which one to pick?" 🤔
You're not alone!
That's why we've put together a few handy tips to give you the best chance of picking the perfect watermelon! 🍉🍉🍉
1. Look for a field spot (the area of the watermelon that was in contact with the ground) that is creamy yellow or orange in colour. A white or pale field spot can indicate a lack of flavour.
2. Watermelons should have clear, distinct stripes on the skin and be a dull colour. A melon that is shiny can actually indicate it's not yet ripe.
3. Give your fruit a knock. If it sounds deep and hollow, it's more likely to be ripe. If it sounds higher pitched and more dense, it's possible it's not yet ripe and juicy.
4. Try to get a melon with lots of webbing on the skin, and don't shy away from a few brown spots. This can be an indication of a higher sugar content and a sweeter watermelon.
5. The stem should be dry and brown. If it's still green, it was likely harvested too early and will be under-ripe.
6. Buy watermelon when they're in season for ultimate sweetness and ripeness! In Queensland, watermelon is at it's best through the hot summer months.
And once you've got your watermelon home, a few of things to keep in mind include:
🍉 It's best to keep whole, uncut watermelons on the bench top. They're usually good for 7-10 days.
🍉 Always keep cut melon in the fridge and use within a few days.
🍉 Watermelons do not keep ripening after being harvested like many other types of fruit. Whatever state of ripeness they're in when picked is where they'll stay. This means that you should always choose a watermelon that's at peak ripeness to get the best flavour!
Watermelons are at their peak of sweetness, nutrition and flavour right now, so get down to your local market this weekend and pick one up! 😄🍉
