Q: Can you give advice on how to pick and choose watermelons?

A: Watermelons are one of summer’s supreme pleasures: refreshing, good for you and fun to eat. Although there are many theories for selecting a ripe watermelon, the following tips are agreed upon by most experts:

• When you turn the melon over, the light-colored patch on the bottom should be a creamy color, not white or light green

• Watermelons should be heavy for their size ─ after all, it's 92% water

• The rind should be slightly dull

Whole melons will keep for 7 to 10 days at room temperature and once a melon is cut, it can be refrigerated for about one week, wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container. Melons do not ripen or become sweeter once they are picked.

Wash watermelons in soapy water to make sure all the dirt and any edible wax is washed away.

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Recipes: Frozen Watermelon Margaritas Watermelon and Cantaloupe Salad with Mint and Basil Vinaigrette Watermelon Ice Cubes