Another watermelon got the best of me?

Question

I just bought a whole watermelon and was fooled again.

Heavy for it's size, check.

Nice green color with yellow faded spot, check.

Dimple not inverted, check.

Slice it open at home and... it's a whitish pink and doesn't taste sweet at all. I have yet to pick a good seedless watermelon EVER. What was wrong with the good old fashioned seeded ones that actually were red and tasted good? More importantly how do I pick an uncut watermelon that will taste and look good? I've tried everything from thumping to weight to smell to random grabbing but I come up short every time. There has to be a trick... please share because I love watermelon.

Answer 1

Good question. I have had the same problem this year with watermelons. I just think this year is not a good year for watermelon. All of the ones I have bought this year have all been the same, whitish pink and very bland tasting. Its not just you, I look for watermelons the same way so you are picking ones okay, just a bad year for watermelons. Hope they are better next year!!!  

Answer 2

this also has happened to me--what i do anymore is just buy the cut ones so i can see what they look and feel like. when they are whole you are really just playing a guessing game with what it will taste like..

Answer 3

There is a patch on every watermelon. Look carefully that patch. It patch develops during watermelon grows laying on soil, and it become more visible or dark if it has left in the farm for long time. I.e. complete ripen watermelon has big and dark patch. It help you to choose good watermelon. i tried it so many times.

http://indian-veg-food.blogspot.com

Answer 4

Sounds like you do it...

but my method for picking a good watermelon is pick a dark green melon and look for a dark yellow (like prepared yellow mustard).

The yellow should be a dark yellow... not light/whitish yellow.

The green should be very dark.

Look for the melon with the greatest contrast from the top (the green part) and the bottom (the yellow part that sits on the ground).

Maybe I've been lucky with the melons since they are in season.

Edit... I've never heard of the dimple check.  Maybe that has to do with whether it's a male or female melon (like picking eggplants... you want the blossom end to be smooth, not dimpled in, like an innie belly button.)

If all else fails, buy a freshly cut melon from the grocer.  You'll pay a little more per pound, but at least see what you're buying.

Answer 5

Knock on the melon and if it is hallow sounding then it is a good one.

Answer 6

http://mideastfood.about.com/od/tipsandt...

http://www.almanac.com/food/watermelonri...

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/wat...

http://www.ehow.com/how_2318895_choose-r...