Watermelon is the happy fruit. It conjures images of childhood, sunny picnics and pool parties. But, one bite into a mealy, hard melon and all of the memories dry up, just like that first, terrible bite.

There are, of course, ways to use less than wonderful watermelons, for example, smoothies and salsas. But when you want to bite face first into a big, juicy slice, only the ripest melon will do.

The best way to avoid this underripe melon problem is to purchase the perfect melon in the first place. Here is what you need to know about picking the best watermelon:

1. Weight is wonderful

No matter if it’s small or large, the best watermelon will feel heavy for its size. This weight is a sign that it’s full of water — aka. juicy flavor and not grainy fiber. Pick the heaviest one you can find.

2. Seeing spots

Watermelons rest on the ground, and in doing so they give us one of the greatest indicators of ripeness. The side they were laying on will develop a pale splotch. When that splotch is a creamy yellow color, it’s ripe and ready.

3. The sound of sweetness

A ripe watermelon will have a deep, hollow sound. If your watermelon is under-ripe or over-ripe, the melon will have a muffled, dull sound.

4. beauty isn’t just skin deep

Not when it comes to watermelons anyway. Avoid melons that look lumpy or have dents or irregular shapes. You’ll want to get one that doesn’t have any signs of bruising, softness or other damage.

So there you have it. Never suffer through a subpar piece of your favorite summer fruit again. And remember if you don’t finish the whole thing, wrap the cut side in plastic wrap. The plastic will prevent the flesh from absorbing the flavors of other foods. A cut melon can last up to three days in the refrigerator, and a whole melon can be stored in the refrigerator for as long as three weeks.

Here's how to pick the best watermelon
Follow these tips and pick the best watermelon around.

ALSO TRY, Is it safe to eat watermelon seeds?

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Meghan is a full-time writer exploring the fun facts behind food. She lives a healthy lifestyle but lives for breakfast, dessert and anything with marinara. She’s thrown away just as many meals as she’s proud of.