I learned how to pick a ripe melon, the navels have to be soft to the touch, but I just fail most of the time when trying to pick a ripe watermelon!!
2006-07-21 04:54:48 · 14 answers · asked by Alex S 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
There are few ways to tell - the first two being the most important:
1) brown/dry navel - means it is ripe
2) the watermelon is heavy for its size - means that there is a lot of sugar water in it and it is sweet
3) it makes a distinct echo when you knock it - but really you have to thump a lot of watermelons before you can recognize the sound, so you should probably stick to the first two
4) the bottom is creamy yellow (or so people say) - i never go by this, since i can't really tell the difference, and it isn't true for all watermelon varieties!
2006-07-21 05:15:40 · answer #1 · answered by ChickPea 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I learned this on FoodTV. You look at the spot on the bottom where it rested on the ground while growing.
This patch has to be a nice buttery yellow color.
I have been using this method now for 5 years and every time it is a sweet and awesome watermelon.
No need for knocking or thumping.
Give it a try.
2006-07-21 05:06:17 · answer #2 · answered by cara19 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grab the melon from the tip, the round one...it has to feel a bit tender, then shake the melon with both hands, you gotta hear some seeds wondering inside and there you go, your perfect melon...also if you see some green vains your fruit is not ready, so the color must be sandy. Hope this is helpful.
2006-07-21 10:15:48 · answer #3 · answered by Mesja 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people will tell you to knock, look at stripes and rise and fall of the tides....however, the true and only way is when the "naval" area (the part that was attached to the stem) is dark brown. This will ensure the ripeness. I learned this from a farmer at the market.
2006-07-21 05:02:29 · answer #4 · answered by voandginger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can give you 2 old-wives tales. #1. if the melon is flat on the bottom with some yellow color through it its ripe.#2. take a broom straw (not plastic) lay it long ways on the melon if it moves..its ripe.
2006-07-21 05:06:19 · answer #5 · answered by mississippi queen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best sign is to look at the stem. An underripe watermelon will have a green stem. If it's completely dried out, it's ripe. My great-aunt taught me this, and it's never failed me yet.
2006-07-21 05:04:32 · answer #6 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pick up the melon, and tap on it with your fingers, if the thump (Sound of the tapping) bounces back, then it`s ripe, if it seems like sinking in, then try another one. Always works for me..
2006-07-21 06:08:38 · answer #7 · answered by wiseguywisedude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!!! Watermelon abuse!!! That recommend farmer might want to under no circumstances be so stingy as to no longer percentage some watermelons! i comprehend he probably had sufficient turning out to be that he may have given each kinfolk on the city a watermelon the different day and nonetheless had sufficient to make a huge income...
2016-10-15 01:16:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the "button" on the end where the vine used to be. It should be more yellow as the melon ripens. Green is bad.
2006-07-21 05:00:24 · answer #9 · answered by O. Wilde 1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heavy for it's size and only the bottom (where it was resting on the ground) slightly yellow. Thump it = should sound full.
2006-07-21 04:58:07 · answer #10 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋