Saira Malik tells you how to pick the perfect watermelon every time

One of my fondest food memories from my childhood summers is coming home in the sweltering heat and finding a giant stainless steel bowl full of watermelon chunks and crushed ice sitting in the deep freezer. The cold, juicy goodness of the fresh watermelon would be so energising that I’d be in my own little heaven for a little while.

I am amused at how my feelings way back then are now mirrored in my own little ones when they find a refreshing watermelon cut and scooped (bless the person who invented the melon scoop), chilling in the refrigerator as soon as they come home.

More than the taste As I indulge my fondness for this simple yet satiating fruit, it is an absolute comfort to know that the watermelon is bursting with nutrition and health benefits; in fact, if it was possible, one would want to keep eating it all year round. Being 90pc water, it has an amazing capacity to refresh and rehydrate during summer’s hottest moments. In addition, it is packed with Vitamins A, C and B6, potassium, lycopene and amino acids. So it is really a wonder-fruit that enhances eye health, strengthens the immune system, augments brain functions, maintains blood pressure, protects the skin from sun damage, provides anti-oxidants to the body, and promotes healthy cardiovascular function, all at the same time.

Pick me a winner There are few things more disappointing than to cut open a lush green watermelon and find it under or over-ripe. Watermelons don’t sweeten much after they are picked. Hence, the harvest time is very crucial. Several theories exist on how to select a perfectly ripened watermelon from the fruit-seller’s cart. The thumping method is the most prevalent one: you flick your finger off the thumb against the watermelon and if it produces a hollow thudding sound, the melon is ripe.

In addition to trying the thumping method, look for a watermelon that is symmetrical in shape, is heavy for its size, is firm to touch, and has a yellowy underside which indicates that the watermelon has been ground-ripened.

Apart from these, a test that has had an almost 100pc success with me is to look for ‘bee stings’ or ‘zipper’ marks on the watermelon. Insects instinctively attack only sweet and ripe melons leaving the rind of the melon scarred. These marks are different from scratches, and have a zipper-like formation. Another tip — better but less common — is that if you see a watermelon with tiny black beads bulging out of certain spots in the rind, buy it! These are sugar crystals forming as the ripe melon secretes a little sugar.

What not to do A very common practice is to have the fruitwala cut open the watermelon. Don’t. Melons grow on the ground and farmers incorporate many types of pesticides and fertilisers (even manure) into the ground as they plant the crops. Simply cutting into a watermelon that has a dirty rind could drag E coli bacteria from the rind to the flesh itself. Therefore, a watermelon must be thoroughly scrubbed and washed before a knife slides into it in order to avoid contamination. This is a primary reason why watermelons are associated with food poisoning and other E coli-related illnesses.

Also keep in mind that, while a ripe uncut watermelon may last a week at room temperature, once cut the fruit must be tightly wrapped and stored in the refrigerator and must be consumed within two to three days.

And finally, watermelon must be consumed on an empty stomach, since it is ready to pass the digestive system immediately due to its high water content. If there is food already in the intestines blocking the fruit’s digestion, it starts to ferment and turns to acid, causing discomfort and bloating.

Enjoy When you’re feeling a little adventurous, try adding watermelon bites in your next salad with feta cheese, fresh mint and olives. Or give a refreshing summer twist to salsa by combining watermelon bits, diced jalapeno peppers, fresh coriander leaves, sweet corn and chopped onions and season with salt and lime juice.

Alternatively, give the watermelon a spin in the blender with a dash of lemon juice, some mint leaves and ice and enjoy the magical cooler. A pure fruit punch with watermelon, mango and pineapple juices is a winning mocktail at pool parties.

Mark Twain was so spot in his observations on the watermelon: “When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat.”