When picking out a ripe watermelon, start by looking at the underside for a creamy yellow spot, known as the field spot.

This is where the melon sat on the ground and ripened under the sun. A rich golden-yellow or orange field spot typically indicates that the watermelon had enough time to fully ripen and develop a sweet flavor. If the spot is faint or not visible, it likely means the fruit was harvested too soon and may not be very sweet.

Next, take a close look at the rind for brown, rough, web-like lines.

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