Ripe for the Picking
Ripe for the Picking: Watermelon Rules
South Carolina produces over one hundred and thirty-three million pounds of watermelon each year. You aren’t alone if this mouthwatering fruit ranks highest among your favorite summertime snacks, and our state proves itself to be ripe for the picking.
There’s nothing better than taking a big bite from a bright pink watermelon, with its juicy remnants dripping down your chin being a hallmark of a perfect morsel. But from all the watermelons to choose from at the roadside stand, which one looks best? How do you know if your watermelon is ready to slice open? We break down our “Watermelon Rules” for you below:
– Pick the heaviest watermelon. Oftentimes, this means that it will taste sweeter and has more water content.
– The more yellow the field spot, the riper. The dark color of the field spot means it has had more time to sit on the vine, which leads to better flavor.
– Look for a robust and dark stripe pattern. This means the watermelon has had plenty of time to grow and mature before you dig in.
Regarding how you prepare your watermelon or whether or not you should add that sprinkle of salt, the jury is still out. When it comes to how you enjoy summertime’s most beloved treat, what are your watermelon rules?
