Go easy on the melons

At my local farmers market the other day I came across a sign that made me smile. It politely asked customers not to hit the watermelons too hard, and if you're wondering why anyone would be smacking fruit, it's actually a pretty common habit here. People sometimes tap or thump a watermelon to check if it's ripe, listening out for a hollow sound that signals sweetness.

Obviously, the trouble is when dozens of shoppers are doing the same thing, since those taps quickly add up. Watermelons might look tough, but their rinds can bruise, and a cracked or stressed melon won't keep as well once you bring it home. I liked how the market didn't ban touching them altogether, but just gently encouraged people to be mindful. It felt very Japanese, acknowledging the tapping tradition while also protecting the produce and the hard work of local farmers.

Do you have any key tips on finding good, ripe watermelons that don't involve tapping them?