Forget tapping: Farmer reveals how to pick the best watermelon

Forget tapping the rind; a Croatian farmer has revealed more reliable ways to pick the perfect watermelon. Ivana Šunjić, a long-time grower and vendor from Slavonia, dismisses common methods like tapping, counting seeds, or judging rind thickness as less effective.

Šunjić, who runs OPG Šunjić, explains that while watermelons offer summer refreshment, choosing the sweetest fruit can be a gamble. She points out that large producers often harvest early to secure better prices, meaning store-bought watermelons might not always be at their peak. "You can find a good watermelon in supermarkets too. But it's not that often, because large producers pick as much as possible when the purchase price is good, so harvesting is often forced," Šunjić told SiB.hr.

She emphasizes that freshness is key, as watermelons degrade within days of storage, becoming less juicy and developing a rubbery texture. Instead of tapping, Šunjić advises lifting the watermelon to gauge its weight relative to its size. A heavier fruit usually indicates more water and juiciness. A very light one might be overripe. "The best way to ensure quality is to pick it up and assess if it's as heavy as you expect," she advises.

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You can find a good watermelon in supermarkets too. But it's not that often, because large producers pick as much as possible when the purchase price is good, so harvesting is often forced.

Checking the stem's freshness is another good indicator of a recent harvest. While rind appearance, including the yellow spot some believe signifies ripeness, isn't always conclusive, Šunjić notes that some varieties naturally have thicker rinds. Similarly, meat color isn't a definitive factor, and the number of seeds is irrelevant to sweetness, though fully developed seeds are preferable to white ones. Debunking myths about "male" and "female" watermelons, she clarifies that all watermelons develop from female flowers.

For market shoppers, asking a vendor to cut a small piece can offer a glimpse inside. If that's not possible, Šunjić's advice on weight, stem freshness, and overall appearance provides a solid guide to selecting a ripe and juicy watermelon.

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The best way to ensure quality is to pick it up and assess if it's as heavy as you expect.