Photo credit: Pexels
The colour of the watermelon can help indicate its ripeness. Therefore, you want to look for a strong and consistent stripe pattern where the green ones should be a deep and dark green, while the pale stripes should be a creamy and light yellow.
Watermelons come in various shapes and sizes. You must avoid those with irregular bumps, dents, or cuts and look for those with a firm and symmetrical shape.
A sweet and ripe watermelon would feel heavier for its size. It also typically means that it is full of water and therefore juicier.
It is arguably one of the most important indicators. Turn the watermelon upside down and you should find a yellow spot that is the field spot. A large and yellow spot indicates that it spent more time on the vine and should be sweeter. Whereas, a whiter spot suggests that it was picked too soon.
Knock on the watermelon and listen to the sound it makes. If it is a deep and hollow noise then it is riper, as opposed to a higher-pitched and denser sound which may indicate that the fruit has not been fully ripened.