How to Cut a Watermelon (Tutorial)
Watermelon is a refreshing and sweet fruit known for its vibrant red flesh. It is not only delicious but also very hydrating, making it a popular choice for staying refreshed during hot summer months. Cutting a watermelon doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, it’s a very easy, quick and rewarding task once you have found the right technique.
I’m going to share with you a step-by-step tutorial on how to cut watermelon, along with information on how to store it and how to pick a good watermelon.
Contents
What is Watermelon?
Watermelon is a fruit of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae, to which also belong cucumbers, squash and pumpkins. Watermelon is believed to have originated in Africa where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. Today, it’s grown across large parts of the world, particularly in countries with warmer climates, such as Egypt, India, Mexico and parts of the US.
When is Watermelon Season?
Watermelon is a summer fruit. In the Northern Hemisphere, watermelon season is from May to September. Depending on the country and its climate, watermelon season may start as early as April and extend into October.
Is Watermelon Good for You?
Watermelon is a healthy fruit that has several nutritional benefits. Same as cucumber, watermelon has a particularly high water content (about 92%) and is low in calories. Consequently, watermelon can help keep you hydrated. Its sweet taste makes it a popular fruit especially when it’s hot. Like many other fruit, watermelon contains natural sugars (1 cup or 150 g watermelon has about 9.4 grams of sugar).
How Many Calories in Watermelon?
Watermelon is low in calories and high in water content, making it a popular choice for those craving a refreshing and light snack. Calories can vary slightly based on variety and ripeness. 46 kcal for 1 cup (152 g) of watermelon is a good estimate. A large part of the calories in watermelon come from carbohydrates, primarily from natural sugars.
How to Pick a Good Watermelon?
Nothing is more frustrating than buying a bad watermelon. Read below for my tips on how to pick a delicious and ripe watermelon (but not overripe). While these tips aren’t foolproof, they increase your chances of selecting a ripe watermelon. This is important because, unlike some other types of fruit, watermelons don’t ripen after they have been harvested. Therefore, they need to be harvested when ripe.
- Check the rind: The rind should not have any cuts or bruises. A firm, blemish-free rind is a good indication of a well-hydrated watermelon. Good watermelons will often look matt. However, a slightly shiny rind doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not ripe.
- Check the field spot (“yellow belly”): The field spot is the area where the watermelon was resting on the ground. A yellow belly suggests a fully ripe watermelon. Green or white field spots may indicate that the watermelon isn’t fully ripe.
- Check the weight: Watermelons are often sold by weight. However, it’s not a good idea to choose the lightest ones. In fact, ripe watermelons will feel heavier than unripe ones. To check, lift watermelons of similar size and pick the one that feels the heaviest, as it’s likely to be juicy.
- Tap it: Knock or gently tap on the rind of the watermelon. If you hear a deep, hollow sound, that’s a good sign. A good watermelon should sound like it’s full of water. If the sound is dull or flat, the watermelon may be overripe or not ripe enough.
- Look for a symmetrical shape: Dents or irregular bumps may be a sign that the watermelon didn’t grow evenly. Choose a watermelon that has a uniform and symmetrical shape.
How to Cut a Watermelon?
There are several techniques to cut a watermelon. The way I cut it is a very easy and quick way to cut large watermelons with minimal waste. It works perfectly to cut watermelon into cubes or slices.
Step 1: Prepare a cutting surface
If you have bought a large watermelon, you’ll need some space to cut it. Be sure to put away any clutter so that you have enough room for cutting the watermelon. Get a cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife ready.
Step 2: Cut off the stem ends
Place the watermelon horizontally (with the long side facing you) on the cutting board in front of you. Cut off the stem ends of the watermelon. If you only want to cut one half of the watermelon and save the other half for later, simply cut off one end.
Step 3: Cut watermelon into halves
Slice the watermelon in half. Cut it crosswise in the middle, along the long side, not where the stem was.
Step 4: Cut off the rind
Place the first watermelon half on the cutting board and set the other half aside. Cut off the rind by slicing down towards the cutting board. Remove the rind and the white flesh. Make small cuts at a time so you don’t accidentally remove too much of the red flesh.
Step 5: Cut into circular pieces
Once you have removed all the rind, you’ll have a large chunk of peeled watermelon. Cut the watermelon lengthwise (horizontally) into circular pieces. The number of pieces depends on the size of the watermelon and how big you want your cubes/sticks to be. Cutting it into 4-5 pieces is a good indication for a medium-sized watermelon.
Step 6: Cut into cubes or slices
Now you can cut the watermelon into any shape you like, with cubes or sticks being the most common. Slice each circular piece lengthwise and crosswise to create watermelon cubes. For watermelon slices, simply cut lengthwise.
Repeat the process with the other watermelon half, or store it for later.
Step 7: Serve
For the best results, store your watermelon in the fridge for 4-6 hours before serving. It will be even more refreshing when chilled. If you can’t wait, you can also start snacking right away. Either way, watermelon is delicious!
Watermelon Cutting Knife
To cut a watermelon, you need a good knife. That’s especially true with large watermelons. A good chef’s knife should be an essential tool in anyone’s kitchen. To cut watermelon, a chef’s knife with a wide blade is preferred.
Black Seeds in Watermelon
While the black seeds in watermelon are edible, many people (including me) don’t enjoy them. They don’t have much taste, but I simply find them unpleasant to eat. Since the black seeds may be deep inside the watermelon cubes/slices, removing them before serving is inconvenient and uncommon. Most people serve the watermelon cubes with the black seeds. People either eat them or spit them out while eating.
Storing Watermelon
Store a whole watermelon at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. It is best to place it in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. If you have cut the watermelon into cubes, store them in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator. Cut watermelon can be refrigerated for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
Watermelon can also be frozen. To freeze, first cut it into cubes or slices as outlined above. Then arrange the watermelon pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let the watermelon freeze until solid. Once the watermelon pieces are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer bag and place them in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Recipes with Watermelon
Watermelon is often enjoyed as a refreshing snack on its own. It also makes a great addition to salads and smoothies. Here are some recipes with watermelon:
Any Questions or Feedback?
If you liked this recipe, I’d appreciate it if you could leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. In case you’ve any questions or feedback, please leave me a comment (down the page). I’m happy to help you make delicious Middle Eastern food at home.
How to Cut a Watermelon
Ingredients
- 1 watermelon
Instructions
- Prepare a cutting surface (you need a lot of space to cut a watermelon). Get a cutting board and a sharp chef's knife ready.
- Place the watermelon on the cutting board in front of you, the long side facing you. Trim off the stem ends of the watermelon.
- Cut the watermelon into two halves by cutting it crosswise in the middle (along the long side – not where the stems were!).
- Place the first watermelon half on the cutting board, set aside the other half. Cut off the rind by slicing down towards the cutting board. Remove the rind and the white flesh. Make small cuts at a time so you don't accidentally remove too much of the red flesh.
- Once you have removed all the rind, you'll have a large chunk of peeled watermelon. Cut the watermelon lengthwise (horizontally) into circular pieces. The number of pieces depends on the size of the watermelon and how big you want your cubes/sticks to be. Cutting it into 4-5 pieces is a good indication for a medium-sized watermelon.
- Now you can cut the watermelon into any shape you like, with cubes or sticks being the most common. Slice each circular piece lengthwise and crosswise to create watermelon cubes. For watermelon slices, simply cut lengthwise.
- Repeat the process with the other watermelon half, or store it for later. For the best results, store your watermelon in the fridge for 4-6 hours before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is only a rough estimate and may vary depending on factors such as the cooking method, exact weight, type, and brand of ingredients used.
