To thump or not to thump?

[Brother Tony]

August 26, 2010
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Here's a little advice before you slice

Like relationships, watermelons offer no guarantees. But a little wisdom from the experts can help you choose a good one at the store.

First, find a melon that's dull, not shiny, and uniform in shape. Odd bumps and curves can mean it was grown with irregular runs of water or sun.

Then look for a creamy patch. It's called the field spot — the place where the watermelon rested on the ground. The deeper in color, the longer the fully grown melon was on the vine getting sweet. Yellow is better than white, but white is better than no patch at all.

Pick it up. Your watermelon should feel heavy for its size. Compare its weight with one of similar size.

Then there is the controversial thump. Some watermelon farmers swear by it. Other say it's hooey, with too many subtle variables to make it useful.

But believers say to hold the melon away from your body and give it a few good raps with your knuckles.

Listen for a melon that sounds full and more like a tenor than a bass. A deeper sound can mean it's not ripe and full of water.

— Kim Severson, The New York Times

[TrueEagle]

Now THAT'S a worthwhile article!!! 

[‘87 Alum]

watermelon season is just about over...this would have been useful in June.  but i always get mine from the farmers market from this one old dude....his thing is if you don't like it, bring it back to me and i'll give you another one....i didn't have one single pale fleshed, sour, unripen watermelon the whole summer.....