Is It True That The Female Watermelons Are Sweeter?

Q: I was bragging to a friend that my sliced watermelon is always sweet because I choose the round female ones and not the longer male fruit. He laughed at me at said this was an urban myth! Who is right? 

A: Although it is true that watermelon vines have male and female flowers, the fruit is not male or female. Upon further consideration, I suppose it could be said that all watermelon fruits are “female” because they are theoretically capable of producing seed. Look for melons that have a yellow “belly”. These are usually sweeter than those with a white or green part that touches the ground.

There are no “female” and “male” watermelons.

Another myth involves eggplant. There is no evidence that those with a round blossom scar (“male”) are meatier and have fewer seeds than those showing an elongated scar. But although false, it makes good dinner table conversation.

This chart shows how to visually choose a sweet melon.