How to Pick the Perfect Watermelon Every Time

Nothing beats the refreshing taste of watermelon on a hot summer day—but finding the perfect one can be tricky. A melon may look great outside but turn out dry or flavorless inside. Luckily, you don’t need to cut it open to know if it’s ripe. With a few easy visual and tactile checks, you can consistently choose a sweet, juicy melon without guesswork.

Start by examining the shape. A good watermelon is symmetrical—whether round or oval, it should be smooth with no lumps or dents. Irregular shapes can mean uneven growth, leading to poor texture or taste. Then, check the field spot, the light patch on the underside where the melon rested on the ground. A deep creamy yellow field spot means the melon ripened fully. If it’s white or pale, it may be underripe and less flavorful.

Next, look at the skin. A dull or matte finish is ideal—it shows the fruit is mature. Shiny melons usually aren’t ripe yet. When you press the rind, it should feel firm and resist pressure. A soft or spongy rind is a warning sign the melon is overripe or even spoiling. For an old-school method, try the tap test: knock on the melon. A ripe one gives a deep, hollow sound. A flat or dull tone means it’s likely underripe or too soft inside.

Another reliable method is to heft the melon. Pick up a few similar-sized melons and choose the heaviest one—that means it’s full of water and likely juicier. Also, look for sugar speckles and webbing, which are brown spots and light web-like lines. These are actually good—they show strong pollination and often mean the melon is sweeter.

Finally, if there’s a stem, check it. A brown, dried stem means it ripened naturally. A green stem means it was picked too early.

Avoid melons with shiny skin, pale spots, dents, bruises, or any sour smell. Follow this checklist, and you’ll bring home a watermelon that’s bursting with sweetness every time—perfect for picnics, snacks, or summer desserts.