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Nothing compares to the disappointment of discovering that big, juicy watermelon you just bought is a bust. But you can use a quick method to pick the sweetest watermelon in the store, and it’s right there in front of you. You may be familiar with the “thumping trick,” which involves making ripe watermelons make a thumping sound when you tap them with your knuckles. But here’s another amazing tip: measure the lines on the thick rind of the fruit with two fingers for a reliable visual cue that will guarantee a consistently satisfying delicious choice.
An underripe melon will taste less sweet than a ripe one, so you can easily tell the difference with this simple trick. An unripe watermelon can be gritty and somewhat boring, rather than juicy, with hard flesh and a delightfully sweet and refreshing flavor. Premature harvesting of melons causes this condition because the melons cannot ripen after the vines are cut.
If you want to scoop out a tasty watermelon with just two fingers, consider the tapping method. You can tell if a watermelon is ripe and tasty by tapping lightly with your fingertips and hearing a deep, hollow sound. Also, check for uniform firmness throughout the watermelon, without any mushy areas. Juiciness, another marker of sweetness, is usually indicated by a watermelon that is heavy for its size. You can choose the ideal watermelon by combining these tactile and auditory cues.
Read more: 9 Rare Farmer’s Market Fruits And How To Eat Them
What Measuring A Watermelon’s Markings Can Tell You
You can use your fingertips to consistently pick the sweetest and ripest melons from the grocery store, saving you from getting boring melons every time. To measure them against the markings on the outside of the fruit, simply place your index and middle fingers together. Contrasting green stripes should be spaced approximately two fingers apart for the ripest selection.
With over 28 million views on TikTok, this clever hack has definitely gone viral. When Facebook user Kevin-Christy Kestler shared in 2021 that a farmer told her he had the key to finding the perfect melon, it also went viral. He wrote, “I tested [the trick].” “I bought my watermelon and sliced it. It was very tasty.”
Also observe the pigment in the green bands on the melon; It should have a mild green tint. This is important because when there is a greater difference between the two bands, it more strongly indicates maturity. To choose the best melon, there are visual cues other than the two-finger test.
Other Visual Cues For Picking A Ripe Watermelon
Not only should you measure the watermelon’s stripes, but you should also make sure that the green stripes are not shiny, but rather glossy. If it appears glossy, this indicates that the rind is still developing and has not had enough time to mature on the vine.
Field spots that indicate the melon’s previous location on the ground, or discolored areas on the side of the fruit, are another useful visual cue to look for when evaluating watermelons for freshness. Instead of being stark white or pale yellow, the spot should be a creamy, buttery yellow color. Additionally, a larger patch usually indicates that the melon spent more time ripening on the vine.
Finally, note the color of the fruit stalk. It should be dry and have a yellow-brown tone, not green; This corresponds to the duration of the melon on the vine. Your watermelon mint mocktail or strawberry-watermelon agua fresca will taste even sweeter after using these expert-level melon picking tips.
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