The Secret to Picking the Perfect Watermelon This Summer

If you're heading to the grocery store this weekend, watermelons might be on your shopping list. Watermelon season is beginning to ramp up across the country, and stores are filling entire displays with the popular summer fruit.

But before you toss the first watermelon you see into your cart, there are a few things you should know. Not all watermelons are created equal, and where they come from could make a difference in what ends up on your picnic table.

How Can You Tell If a Watermelon Is Actually Ripe?

This is the question everyone wants answered.

One of the easiest indicators to look for is the field spot, the yellow patch on the underside of the watermelon where it rested on the ground while growing.

A deep, creamy yellow spot usually suggests the watermelon spent more time ripening on the vine. A pale or nearly white spot may indicate it was picked earlier.

Another tip is to pick up the watermelon. It should feel surprisingly heavy for its size. Heavier watermelons typically contain more water, which often means a juicier bite.

While no method guarantees perfection, combining those two checks, a rich yellow field spot and a heavy feel, can significantly improve your chances of bringing home a sweet, refreshing watermelon.

With watermelon displays growing larger every week and summer gatherings right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start shopping. Just remember to check the sticker, compare prices carefully, and don't forget to flip that watermelon over before putting it in your cart.

What Do Different Watermelons Taste Like?

Not all watermelons taste the same. Here's a quick guide to what you can expect:

• Red Seedless Watermelon – The classic watermelon flavor most people know and love. Sweet, juicy, and refreshing.
• Red Seeded Watermelon – Often considered to have a stronger, richer watermelon flavor. Some watermelon lovers say these are the sweetest.
• Mini Watermelon – Smaller in size but often packed with sweetness. Usually very crisp and easy to store in the refrigerator.
• Yellow Watermelon – Sweet and juicy with flavor notes that some people compare to honey, apricots, or even mangoes.
• Orange Watermelon – Slightly tropical tasting with hints of cantaloupe and other summer fruits. Less common but worth trying if you spot one.
• Organic Watermelon – Taste can vary by variety, but many shoppers choose them because they prefer how they are grown rather than for a specific flavor difference.

If you've only ever bought the traditional red seedless watermelon, this summer might be the perfect time to try a yellow or orange variety and discover a completely different watermelon experience.

Where Are Today's Watermelons Actually Coming From?

Many shoppers assume that once Memorial Day passes, all watermelons on store shelves are grown in the United States. That's not necessarily true.

Right now, stores are stocking watermelons from a mix of locations, including Mexico, California, Texas, and other southern growing regions. Depending on the store, you may find several different origins sitting side-by-side in the same display.

The first thing experts recommend checking is the sticker. Knowing where a watermelon was grown can give you an idea of how far it traveled before reaching your store. While distance doesn't automatically determine quality, some shoppers prefer fruit that hasn't spent as much time in transit.

As summer progresses, more states will begin harvesting their crops. South Carolina and other southeastern states typically join the market in June. By July, states such as Indiana and Oregon begin producing watermelons, while northern states, including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, and Maine, generally come into season later in August.

Why Can Watermelon Prices Be So Different?

One thing shoppers may notice is the wide range of prices.

Some stores sell watermelons for a flat price, while others charge by the pound. That can make comparison shopping surprisingly difficult.

A watermelon priced at just 69 cents per pound might sound like a bargain, but a large melon weighing 20 pounds could end up costing nearly $14. Premium varieties sold by the pound can climb even higher.

When buying a watermelon sold at a fixed price, many shoppers try to get the most value by selecting one of the larger melons available. If the fruit is sold by weight, it's worth paying attention to size before heading to the checkout lane.