How do you know a watermelon is sweet?

[lizabu]

A couple days my DH brought home a watermelon that was so sweet and flavourful and so juicy. I couldn't leave it alone. Tonight he brings home a watermelon and it tastes different. Almost like its unripe. The flesh isn't as pink. It's juicy but not as much as the other one and not very sweet. To my untrained eye from the outside they don't look very different. What should I be looking for fruit experts?

 

[anniemae]

I don't know, but I have this issue with cantaloup. Sometimes its so sweet and juicy it's like candy. Other times it has absolutely no flavor.

 

[Phatoomch]

Have you ever noticed that some have brown scar-like lines on them? They are sugar lines. Often people reject those melons thinking they are on the turn when really it means there is more sugar in them so they are sweeter. Thats one way of telling

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Thump it. The more hollow it sounds, the better the watermelon

 

[alex9179]

You want a melon that been on the vine until ripe (or close to), so look for a very pale spot on one side. This is where the melon rested on the ground and was there long enough.

Also, there is a type called Black Diamond. I know it's grown in Missouri, not sure what other states grow it, and it is DIVINE! The color is very dark green and the stripes are only a bit lighter. It's also rounder instead of oblong.

 

[GraysMom]

Watermelon-thump it, but more importantly look for a yellow patch on the rind where the melon sat on the ground. The more yellow the spot, the sweeter the watermelon, since it's had longer in the field to ripen.

Cantaloupe-smell the end where the stem was attached. It should smell cantaloupe-y and sweet. If it doesn't smell like anything, it won't taste like anything either.

 

[manning]

Watermelon-thump it, but more importantly look for a yellow patch on the rind where the melon sat on the ground. The more yellow the spot, the sweeter the watermelon, since it's had longer in the field to ripen.

Cantaloupe-smell the end where the stem was attached. It should smell cantaloupe-y and sweet. If it doesn't smell like anything, it won't taste like anything either.

Right on !!!!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Bee stings.

 

[esk]

You know how there are 2 spots, one on each end? One needs a tail....if the tail is raised and not a tail, then it was ripped off the vine too early. The other end should be black...those are the sugar juices. Not beige but black and it doesn't matter how big it is.

So we look for 4 things:

Sugar cracks (or lines)
Pale spot
Tail
Black spot

and of course, push on the rind...if it gives, it is mushy inside and not good. The thumping, well, they all sound the same to me so I use my 4 things. Because at $6-7 for a melon, I want a good one!

For cantaloupe, push on the non-raised end...it should give slightly but not a lot. Also look for sugar cracks -- they are different than normal cantaloupe cracks, and push the rind do make sure it's not mushy.

Got all this from the produce guy at the grocery store and I haven't had a bad melon since.

 

[Bob NC]

The heavier it is, the more sugar is in it.

If you are feeling similar sized watermelons at the store, take the heavier one.

 

[mickeysgal]

We've gotten watermelons this year from Kroger and Publix. By far, Publix had the sweeter melons. Kroger melons were flat tasting. Must be what suppliers they use as well.

Thanks for all the tips posted in this thread.

 

[tony111]

Great tips everyone. Reading this community board is an education.

 

[lizabu]

Wow! You guys are amazing. I just knew Dis-boarders would know the answer. Thank you.