Watermelon selection tips and nutritional benefits

Watermelons are a popular summer snack, known for being low in calories and high in water content. Composed of approximately 92 percent water, they provide essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, lycopene, citrulline, and potassium.

To select a ripe watermelon at the supermarket, consumers can look for specific physical indicators. A deep, dull sound when tapping the fruit suggests ripeness, whereas a hollow or metallic sound may indicate it is unripe. Additionally, a large, golden-yellow field spot on the rind suggests the fruit ripened sufficiently in the sun, while white or grey spots may indicate it was harvested too early.

While over 1,200 varieties exist, most watermelons available in Germany are imported from Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Morocco during the main season from May to September. In the winter months, imports primarily originate from Costa Rica, the USA, Brazil, and Panama.