Chiefly, this is a How To Pick A Good Watermelon CHART. It’s about typical watermelons seen in grocery stores such as striped, red interior, and is either seeded or seedless. This is a part of our Food Guides, Fruit, and Salads categories. It’s also listed in our detailed article “How To Pick A Good Watermelon” detailed article.

GOOD CLUES (What you want) in a good watermelon

Simple Level: Basic Good Clues

Stem or Stem Base Spot (aka Belly Button) is all Brown (not green nor partially green).If stem exists, more curly & twisted is better.

brown stem spot for how to pick a good watermelon chart — GOOD: Brown stem has no green in it.

Field Spot (Ground Spot) is Creamy, Yellow, or Yellow & Orange (not white)

creamy color field spot for how to choose a good watermelon chart — GOOD: Field Spot: Bigger and Creamy color of yellow or orange (never white)

Final simple GOOD clues overall

Round is more flavor than oblong.
Dull (not shiny) skin appearance
Brown vein-like Webbing (not deep cut scars)
Brown spots (sweet spots)
Heavier than others of same size
Press test has a slight give.

Advanced Level: More Detailed GOOD Clues

darker stripes for how to pick a good watermelon chart — GOOD: Darker, more even stripes AND more round watermelon shape

Darker Stripes: consistently uniform pattern, stark difference between dark and light green stripes.
Smell: Rind has mild, pleasant aroma.
Plunking sound test: deep, hollow sound.

plunking sound test for how to pick a good watermelon chart

GOOD: Plunking is deep, hollow sound.

BAD: Plunking is higher, solid pitch sound.

BAD CLUES (What you Don’t want) in a Watermelon

Rind has no smell (not ripe) or old, fermented smell (overripe).
Soft or mushy areas
Black or White specks (food safety concern)
Excessive deep scarring, marks, cuts (not to be confused with webbing markings)
Any deep gashes
Press test goes inward too easily (too soft) or not at all (too hard).
Thumping has higher, solid pitch.
Very shiny, glossy skin appearance

Myth About Picking a Good Watermelon

The “2 Finger Test” is a fruit variety indicator, not a ripeness factor.

Conclusion of How To Pick A Good Watermelon CHART

You’ve seen how to pick a good watermelon chart. Overall, it’s easy to follow, simple as one page, and covers tons of compiled research of leading experts. So, save and share this link to pull it up on your next grocery run. Also, share it to show you care.

3 Comments

Colt Consequatur says:
July 16, 2024 at 6:31 pm
I simply could not go away your web site after someone had suggested it. I really like this chart for picking out a good watermelon. I saved it to my phone wo when I’m at the grocery store, I can pull it up when looking at watermelons. Super chart and I also liked your matching article that talked about each of these things.
Landen Ut says:
July 27, 2024 at 9:26 am

Usually I do not read article on blogs; however, I would like to say that this writeup on choosing a good watermelon as a CHART compelled me to take a look at it. Your chart layout and concept is great. Thank you a very nice chart and it’s associated article that goes in depth on each selection point.
Rosalia P. says:
November 7, 2024 at 11:11 am
This has been a really wonderful post for picking out a watermelon using a chart. Many thanks for providing these details.

How To Pick A Good Watermelon CHART