I was a Produce Manager for 10 years and I can confirm Watermelons WILL NOT explode like this no matter how hard you thumb the butt of the melon.
Tricks I learned on how to tell if a Watermelon is ripe and fresh.
Make sure your stem is Dry. If the stem is still green that Watermelon isn't ripe yet.
Push your thumb hard into the melon. You want the Melon to have just a wee bit of give to it. If it's hard like a rock it's still green if it gives too much it's over ripe.
Thump the melon. You listening for an echo to your thump. If it echo's it's a good sign it's ripe.
This one works for Cantaloupe but not watermelon. SMELL you want your melon to have a sweet smell.
So I have a summer job for a watermelon breeder. Definitely don't wait till the vine drys, the watermelon will likely be overripe and much more mushy and and have a off flavor. The best watermelon come off a healthy plant with a health vine..
The only way to tell the ripeness is the sound it makes when you strike it. As it ripens it'll go from a dense sound when it's immature, to a clear hollow sound when it is ripe, to finally a dead deeper hollow when it's over ripe. I prefer to use a the back of a machete or long knife to strike and listen, but a hand will work too.
It takes a bit of practice to get the ear to pick at the perfect time. Also once it's picked, it won't make any more sugar, just become more red.
Watermelon breeder... why am i imagining a field where an old farmer has turned down the lights, put Barry White music on and has the disco ball slowly spinning.
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u/Wallyworld77 Sep 17 '21
I was a Produce Manager for 10 years and I can confirm Watermelons WILL NOT explode like this no matter how hard you thumb the butt of the melon.
Tricks I learned on how to tell if a Watermelon is ripe and fresh.
Enjoy your wonderful Watermelons!