There she was, beating on the watermelons like they were conga drums.
When she thought she found the one that sounded just right, she picked it up and placed it in her cart. She walked away certain that she found the perfect watermelon. Too bad she didn’t know that beating on watermelons yields no useful information about the sweetness, juiciness, or ripeness of the melon. Getting a good one that way is simply a matter of luck!
I know how to pick the perfect watermelon.
I have a system that never fails. When you have more than 25 years of weight loss maintenance under your belt – literally – you get good at choosing the foods that you can eat in great quantity and that you particularly enjoy. In general, that applies to most fruit and vegetables for me, but watermelon happens to sit on my favorite loser-friendly snacks and dessert top ten list. It happens to be a very “good-for-you” food, but that hasn’t spoiled my pleasure when eating watermelon!
Stop pounding your watermelons and start to give them my 5 point inspection. You’ll never get a disappointing watermelon again.
1. Symmetry
Choose a melon with overall symmetry. The symmetrical one may not be the biggest, but think about it this way. Size doesn’t matter as much as deliciousness!
2. Free from bruises
Avoid the watermelons that look as though they have been handled roughly. The insides will be mushy as a result of the beating it took.
3. Color
Pick a bright green melon. Don’t bother with the paler melons on display.
4. Buttery yellow spot
On the bottom of the melon should be a buttery yellow spot. This indicates your little beauty ripened in the sun.
5. Weight
A truly delicious, juicy watermelon is surprisingly heavy. If the melon has met the first four requirements but can’t meet this final one, keep looking. You want the watermelon that is much heavier than you would expect it to be for its size.
A heavy watermelon is a ripe and juicy one. If you can’t find one that meets all of these requirements, I’d sacrifice symmetry. Some asymmetrical watermelons can be very good. When you give up the other qualities, however, you can be certain that enjoyment you’ll get when eating that watermelon will be compromised.