Everyone loves the taste of watermelon. The fruit looks attractive and tastes delicious. But often, after bringing one home from the market, it turns out not to be very red or sweet. This has happened to almost everyone at some point.

A watermelon may look good from outside but turn out pale when cut. There are some tricks, though, that make it easy to pick out a ripe and tasty one from a pile.

• Look at the stem end. If it has turned yellow, the watermelon is ripe; if it is all green, it is still unripe.
• Pick it up. If it feels hollow inside, it is still unripe. A ripe watermelon holds a lot of water, so it is heavy.
• Tap it with your hand and listen. A ripe watermelon will sound as if there is water inside. If the sound is very heavy, it is overripe.
• Look at the shape. If the watermelon is evenly shaped all over, it is more likely to be ripe.
• Do not be fooled by a bright colour. A ripe watermelon is usually dark and blackish.
• Check for black patches on the skin. If there are any, press them; if they are soft, do not take it. An overripe watermelon goes soft.
• Pick it up and smell it. A ripe, sweet smell means it is ripe. Do not buy it if it smells overripe, or if it smells unripe.
• Press the stem end with your hand. If it is very hard, it is still unripe; if it is very soft, it is overripe. Buy it only if it is slightly soft.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.