Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:16 pm
Watermelons are super delicious and simply belong to the summer. Unfortunately, it is not easy to recognize at first glance whether the watermelon is ripe or not. With our tips you will never again reach for an unripe watermelon.
That is why the watermelon should be as ripe as possible
We know it from other fruits: Apples, plums, pears and many other fruits can be stored and ripen after harvest. Tomatoes are also among the fruits that can be harvested green and allowed to ripen.
With watermelon, however, things look a little different. Once harvested, the ripening process is interrupted and the melon remains unripe. If you grow your own melons in your garden, the motto is: it is better to leave them on the plant as long as possible than to harvest them too early. So at the supermarket, it pays to take your time choosing the right melon. Look carefully at the fruit and take only the one that absolutely convinces you!
Is the watermelon ripe? How to recognize the degree of ripeness
Now, to tell if the watermelon is ripe, there are three techniques you can rely on with confidence.
- recognize ripe watermelon: The knock test
Sing me a song… you can easily identify ripe watermelons by sound with a little practice. If you lightly tap the rind with your fingers or knuckles, you should hear a muffled, full sound. It is best if it resonates a little. With unripe melons, the sound is very flat and rather bright. It does not stay in the ear as long.
- recognize ripe watermelon: The color
The juicy red flesh is hidden inside the fruit. From the outside, however, most watermelons all look pretty much the same at first glance. Here, it helps to look a little closer: A deep, juicy green and dark pattern are already a first indication of ripeness.
However, the spot where the watermelon was lying on the ground really gives us a clue. This is where a light spot forms, which turns yellow as it ripens. If it is still white or grayish, you can be absolutely sure that the watermelon is unripe. If, on the other hand, it is a nice yellow color, you can grab it.
- recognize ripe watermelon: The stem
Last but not least, it’s worth taking a look at the stem of the melon. With small fruits or mini watermelons, it can be difficult to rely on the sound. However, the stem will indicate whether or not the watermelon was harvested too early.
In ripe melons, the stem is nicely dried out and brown. In the case of unripe watermelons, it is still green or black, thus visibly containing residual moisture.
Where can I buy my watermelon?
So, now you are well equipped to spot your perfect watermelon. To get your hands on watermelons, there are several options: You can buy them at the supermarket or often at the farmer’s market or other grocery stores. The watermelon is so popular that almost everyone has it in their assortment.
However, it is even better to grow the watermelon yourself and harvest your own fruit. Unfortunately, the conventional cultivation of watermelons is not very sustainable, which is why this is also a very environmentally friendly method at the same time. Besides – what tastes better than a freshly harvested melon?