Are seedless watermelons less sweet than seeded varieties?
Actually, the opposite is usually true: Because seedless types do not expend energy to produce seeds, the flesh is often sweeter than what you find in normal varieties. Other factors do affect how sweet that slice of watermelon will end up. Higher-than-normal rainfall (especially near harvest), wilting vines and cool temperatures all can contribute to less sugar development even in fully ripened watermelons. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw that determines whether you get a deliciously sweet, succulent watermelon, or one with a mere shadow of the flavor you’re expecting. However, there are some clues you can use to increase your odds: • Lift it: Ripe melons should feel heavy for their size. • For uncut melons, thump the rind with your fist. If you hear a resonant, solid and dull sound, the melon is ripe. A light metallic ring indicates the melon was picked too early. If you grow watermelon in your garden, you can use this method to determine when melons are ripe
