Five Rules for Choosing a Sweet and Juicy Watermelon - The Complete Guide to Refreshing

The watermelon, containing 93% water, is one of the symbols of the Israeli summer. Experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development explain how to choose a superior watermelon::

1. Shiny - The watermelon should have a glossy hue. A dull color indicates prolonged storage, often impairing the fruit's quality.

2. No Spots - Every watermelon has a necessary light spot, created where the watermelon touches the ground. Additional spots, yellow or faded, suggest the watermelon had prolonged sun exposure, reducing its quality.

3. Firm - Touch the watermelon and choose a watermelon as firm as possible. Flexibility indicates prolonged storage, diminishing the fruit's quality.

4. Symmetrical - Choose as symmetrical a watermelon as possible, round or oval. This shape indicates proper development of the fruit and ensures that there will be no cavities inside the fruit’s flesh.

5. Hearing a Clean Sound When Thumped - The myth of thumping the watermelon has become so widespread that most of us thump without knowing what to listen for. Shimshon Omer, head of the Vegetables and Field Crops Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, explains that one should wait for a clean sound in response. If there is no echo to the thump, the watermelon is overripe, and its texture and taste will be subpar.

Once you've brought your chosen watermelon home, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Wash the watermelon well, even though you do not eat the rind, and cut it with a large, stable, and sharp knife. It is recommended to wrap the watermelon leftovers in plastic wrap to maintain maximum freshness.