How to Pick a Sweet, Ripe Watermelon
Heavy for its size – A good watermelon should feel surprisingly heavy when you pick it up, which usually means it contains plenty of water and juicy flesh.
Very shiny skin – An overly glossy watermelon may not be fully ripe yet.
Little or no webbing – While not a perfect test on its own, a completely smooth rind may be less promising than one with some visible webbing.
White field spot – This can be a sign that the fruit did not spend enough time ripening on the vine.
Very deep orange field spot or soft areas – These can sometimes indicate that the watermelon is overripe or beginning to deteriorate.
When you’re comparing several watermelons, look for one that feels heavy, looks mature rather than shiny, and has a creamy yellow field spot.
