If you bite into a watermelon expecting that sweet, juicy flavor and instead get…nothing, it can be disappointing. A flavorless watermelon might make you wonder if it’s unripe, overripe, or has some other issue. There are a few possible reasons a watermelon could lack flavor.
Quick Answer
The main reasons a watermelon might lack flavor are:
- It was picked too early before sugars developed
- It was picked too late and sugars converted to starch
- Poor growing conditions affected flavor
- It’s a bland variety
- It was stored at too low temperature
A flavorless watermelon doesn’t necessarily mean it has gone bad, but it does indicate a problem with when or how it was grown, harvested, or stored. The good news is that tasteless watermelons are still safe to eat.
When Watermelons Are Harvested Impacts Flavor
One key factor in watermelon flavor is when it is harvested from the vine. Watermelons do not continue to ripen or become sweeter after being picked. So timing the harvest correctly is essential for good flavor.
Watermelons are harvested when the following signs indicate ripeness:
- Dull, matte look on the rind (loss of shine)
- Yellowing of the bottom spot where it touched the ground
- Tendril nearest the fruit stem is dried and brown
- Thumping noise when tapped – ripened melons have a deeper hollow sound
Ideally, watermelons should be harvested when sugars are at their peak. Picking too early means sugars haven’t fully developed for optimal sweetness. Picking too late may mean sugars have started breaking down into starch, reducing the intensity of flavor.
Picked Too Early
Harvesting watermelons before complete ripeness is a common reason for lack of flavor. Immature, unripe watermelons will be low in sugars with a bland, watery taste.
Early harvested melons may lack these signs of ripeness:
- Rind still has some shine rather than a dull finish
- Bottom spot is still white or greenish instead of yellow
- Tendril near stem is still flexible and green
- Thump sounds are higher pitched without a deep hollowness
Growers may pick melons prematurely to get their crop to market early. But this comes at a sacrifice to flavor.
Picked Too Late
At the other end of the spectrum, watermelons left on the vine too long after ripening can also lose flavor.
As a watermelon overripens, sugars start to break down into starch. This causes it to become less sweet and take on a more bland, mealy texture.
Signs a watermelon might be overripe include:
- Very dull rind with some soft spots or bruising
- Very yellow or orange bottom spot
- Dry, brown, shriveled tendril
- Flat or mushy sound when thumped
- Mealy, dry, stringy flesh
Growers might miss the optimal harvest window and leave fruits on too long. Rotting and pests can also cause melons to be left on the vines past peak ripeness.
Growing Conditions Affect Flavor
Even if harvested at the right time, watermelons can still lack flavor if they did not receive proper conditions while growing. Factors like soil, weather, and inputs impact how sugars and flavor compounds develop.
Watering
Too much or too little water while growing can create bland watermelons. Overwatering can dilute sugars and cause melons to crack. Underwatering stresses plants and reduces fruit size and quality. Ideal conditions include:
- 1-2 inches of water per week either from rain or irrigation
- Consistent moisture during fruit development
- Drip irrigation to avoid wetting foliage
Fertilizer
Proper fertilization ensures watermelons get enough nitrogen for plant growth and potassium for sugar formation. Insufficient potassium can directly limit flavor. Other deficiencies or nutrient imbalances can stress plants.
Soil
Watermelons prefer well-drained sandy loam soils. Heavy clay soils restrict root growth and retain too much moisture. Poor drainage leads to root rot and cracked fruits. Low organic matter reduces nutrients. Optimizing soil conditions prevents plant stress and allows good flavor production.
Sunlight
Watermelons are sun-loving plants. Full sun exposure allows optimal photosynthesis to drive sugar production and flavor. Too much shade leads to reduced sweetness and bland taste.
Temperature & Humidity
Hot, dry weather can cause bitter flavor and hollow hearts in melons. Ideal growing temperatures are 80-90°F during the day and 70°F at night. Low humidity also stresses plants. Maintaining optimal temperature and humidity minimizes stress and promotes great taste.
Pests & Disease
Insect, disease, and weed pressure also affect watermelon flavor. These limit vigor, plant growth, fruit size, and internal quality. Preventing and managing pest issues reduces plant stress for the best fruit.
Variety Plays a Role
Even when harvested and grown perfectly, some watermelon varieties naturally have weaker flavor than others.
Seeded vs. Seedless
Seeded varieties generally have the fullest, sweetest flavor. The seeds themselves enhance taste and juiciness. Seedless types often compromise on flavor in exchange for their texture and convenience.
Red Flesh vs. Yellow
Red-fleshed are the most common sweet, flavorful type. Yellow/orange-fleshed watermelons tend to be milder tasting and lower in sugars. Their main appeal is unique color, not strong flavor.
| Variety | Description | Sweetness |
|---|---|---|
| Jubilee | Oblong striped fruit with red flesh, good flavor balance of sweetness and crunch. | Very sweet |
| Black Diamond | Heirloom type with dark green rind and deep red flesh, juicy texture. | Very sweet |
| Crimson Sweet | Large oval fruit with bold red flesh, crisp and sugary. | Very sweet |
| Sugar Baby | Small round fruit with bright red flesh, super sweet flavor. | Very sweet |
| Yellow Doll | Cute miniature yellow rind and flesh, mild and crunchy texture. | Mildly sweet |
| Orangeglo | Bright orange rind with salmon colored flesh, juicy but milder flavor. | Mildly sweet |
Hybrid vs. Heirloom
Modern hybrid varieties are bred for traits like disease resistance, productivity, and shippability. However, this can come at the cost of flavor.
Heirloom varieties have exceptional taste that have been passed down over generations. But they may lack desirable agronomic traits of hybrids.
Proper Storage Preserves Flavor
The final step in ensuring a flavorful watermelon is proper postharvest storage and handling.
Once a watermelon is cut, it only has about a week before it goes bad. But whole intact melons can be stored for 2-3 weeks if conditions are right. Here are tips for storing watermelons:
- Leave full stem on if possible – it helps retain moisture
- Store uncut melons at 55-60°F (like a basement)
- High temps above 75°F hasten deterioration
- Ensure high humidity around 90% to avoid shriveling
- Avoid stacking to prevent bruising and soft spots
- Check melons and remove any with soft spots or molds
- Cut melons should be sealed and refrigerated below 40°F
Proper postharvest cooling inhibits loss of sugars and flavor. Hot temperatures and a dry environment causes melons to lose sweetness and take on a cardboard-like texture.
Conclusion
Finding a watermelon with weak or no flavor can be a letdown after looking forward to that juicy sweet treat. But there are several possible reasons that could be behind a tasteless watermelon. Factors like harvest timing, growing conditions, variety, and storage impact flavor.
While disappointing, flavorless watermelons are still perfectly safe to eat. And there are ways to prevent it in the future harvests through optimal melon production and handling practices. With some tweaks, your next watermelon is sure to deliver that mouthwatering sweet deliciousness you crave.