Nothing signals that summer has arrived like the presence of watermelons at the grocery store. Since they’re so juicy, they’re refreshing on a hot day. And you can’t go to a cookout without seeing a bowl filled with watermelon chunks.

But how do you make sure you get the best watermelon for your money? Here are nine tips to help you pick the perfect watermelon.

1. Find a Symmetrical Watermelon

At the grocery store, look for a symmetrical watermelon without any bumps, cuts, dents, or large bruises. If any of those things are present, it may not have gotten enough water or sunshine while it was growing. This affects the taste, making it dry and chalky. (1)

2. Check the Stem

Check the stem at the bottom of the watermelon. It will either be green or brown. If the stem is green, the watermelon was picked before it could ripen. If it’s brown, the watermelon was able to ripen on the vine. It’s ready to be eaten! (2)

3. Look for a Yellow Spot

This might seem strange because many people look for pristine produce. But you want your watermelon to have a large yellow spot. This spot means that the fruit had a long time to ripen in the sun. It’s the place where the watermelon rested on the ground in the field. If there is no spot or if the spot is white, this melon is likely underripe. (2, 3)

4. Sweet Imperfections

Like the yellow spot, this tip might seem unusual. But watermelon is actually a fruit where you want to find imperfections. If there are black spots on the melon, that means sugar is seeping out, and you have a sweet melon. And dots in a line are pollination points. The more of them there are, the more times bees paid this watermelon a visit. (3)

5. Stay Away from Shiny Watermelons

Shiny watermelons might catch your eye, but shininess is another sign that a melon isn’t ripe. To pick the perfect watermelon, look for one that has a dull yet dark green rind. (1)

6. Press on the Watermelon

You can also test a watermelon in the store by pressing on it. If the watermelon has a little give, it is ripe. If it’s completely hard, it is not ready. (2)

7. Avoid Mushiness

Although a little give in the rind indicates ripeness, you don’t want it to be too mushy. If you can press too far into the rind, the watermelon is overripe and will taste dry. (1)

8. Listen for a Hollow Sound

Try knocking on the watermelon with your knuckles. If you hear a hollow sound, you have a juicy watermelon with high water content. If not, the melon doesn’t have much water and won’t be as ripe and juicy. (2)

9. Heavier Is Better

Another way to make sure you choose a watermelon with high water content is to pay attention to its weight. The heavier the melon, the more water it contains. Compare the watermelon you want to others of a similar size. If it’s heavier than the others, you have a good watermelon.

These tips should help you pick the perfect watermelon, one that is ripe, juicy, and ready to help you enjoy summer. But don’t take our word for it – put your faith in Jag Singh from Daisy Creek Farms! (2)