What Do Yellow Spots On or Inside a Watermelon Mean?

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And are they safe to eat?
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Watermelon is a delicious fruit and the quintessential sign of summer. But when you select and cut up a watermelon, you might notice a yellow spot on the outside of the fruit or spots inside the flesh. If you’re wondering what these yellow spots mean, we’re here to help. Yellow spots inside the fruit are rare and may be a growth defect, while a yellow spot on the skin is a sign that the watermelon is ripe. In this article, we’ll also explain if yellow spots on the flesh are safe to eat, how to tell if a watermelon is ripe , and answer if there are watermelon varieties with solid yellow flesh . Read on to learn more!

Why does my watermelon have yellow spots?

If you cut a red watermelon and see yellow spots inside, these may be chemical or growth defects. While you don’t want to eat these spots, it's generally safe to cut them out and eat the rest of the fruit. A yellow spot on the skin of the watermelon, called a field spot, is a sign that the fruit is ripe and juicy.

Section 1 of 6:

What is the yellow spot on the outside of a watermelon?

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  1. The yellow spot, also called a field spot, is a large buttery yellow area on the underside of the watermelon that indicates where it lay on the ground while attached to the vine. In general, a larger and yellower spot means the watermelon is riper and juicier, as it spent more time on the vine before being harvested. [1]
    • So, when you’re looking for a ripe watermelon , you definitely want to check if it has a yellow spot on the outside!
    • If the field spot is more white than yellow and small, this is usually a sign that the watermelon isn’t very ripe.
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Section 2 of 6:

What are the yellow spots inside a watermelon?

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  1. Yellow spots inside a watermelon may be a chemical or growth defect. In rare cases, you might cut open a watermelon and find small, hard pieces of yellow flesh inside. If the rest of the reddish-pink fruit looks fine, you might be wondering what these yellow spots are. Unfortunately, there are no clear answers on what these yellow spots actually are. Some possible explanations include:
    • The yellow spots might be concentrated pockets of nitrates. The watermelon could have absorbed more nitrates from the soil than normal, which clustered together in one area.
    • The yellow spots may be due to a growth defect. Environmental factors (too much or too little water), nutrient deficiencies, or improper pollination may have caused the yellow spots to form. [2]
    • The yellow spots may be dry spots from the watermelon receiving too little water as it grew. [3]
    • The yellow spots could be due to a fungal or bacterial infection, or from some other pest. [4]
    • The yellow spots may be areas where the watermelon was damaged while it was growing, or during processing and handling.
    • The yellow spots might be due to cross-pollination with a watermelon variety that has yellow flesh. [5]
Section 3 of 6:

Are the yellow spots inside a watermelon safe to eat?

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  1. Since it’s unclear what the yellow spots are, it’s best not to eat them. If you see yellow spots inside your watermelon but the rest of the flesh looks fine, you’re usually okay to cut out the yellow areas and enjoy the fruit as normal. However, it’s best to avoid eating the yellow spots themselves. The spots could have an unpleasant texture and taste, or be concentrated pockets of nitrates, which can potentially be dangerous to eat. [6]
    • For instance, fruit that’s been infected with some types of bacteria and virus strains can still be safe to eat as long as the infected spots are cut out. However, you still don’t want to eat the infected areas. [7]
    • Fruits and vegetables are naturally high in nitrates, as plants need them to grow. [8] While nitrates are essential and naturally found in the body, high levels can be harmful and potentially carcinogenic. [9]
    • If you don’t feel comfortable eating the watermelon even if the rest of the flesh looks fine, that’s okay too! Most grocery stores accept returns and will give you a refund.
    • Note : Always wash the outside of the watermelon with water before you cut it to reduce cross-contamination. If you cut it without washing it, potentially harmful microorganisms on the skin can get into the flesh. [10]
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Section 4 of 6:

How to Choose a Ripe Watermelon

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  1. Watermelon is almost entirely water, so a heavier fruit means it’s juicy and sweet, while a lighter one indicates it’s not ripe. Also, ensure that the watermelon is nice and round without any visible damage, like dents, scratches, cracks, or holes. [11]
  2. 2
    Choose a watermelon with a dull colored exterior. A bright green and shiny watermelon is usually a sign that it isn’t fully ripe. For most watermelon varieties, as the fruit ripens, the green skin starts to dull and fade. So, pick a melon with skin that’s more muted and matte. [12]
  3. 3
    Press the watermelon to ensure it has a little give. Pick up the watermelon and press it with your fingers. If it’s very firm and your fingers don’t indent it at all, that’s usually a sign the fruit isn’t ripe. If the melon does have a bit of give and softness when you press it, Chef Ed Kuoha agrees that this is a sign the melon is ripe and juicy. [13]
  4. 4
    Rap the watermelon and listen for a hollow sound. Knock on the watermelon with your knuckles and listen to the sound it makes. If the watermelon is nice and ripe, the sound is typically hollow, deep, and dull. If the watermelon isn’t ripe, it typically sounds less hollow and has a higher pitch. [14]
  5. 5
    Ensure the stem is a brown color. When watermelons fully ripen on the vine, the curly tendril on the stem turns brown. If you’re looking at a watermelon that still has the stem attached, or harvesting fruit from your garden, ensure that the stem is brown to select a ripe, juicy, and sweet melon. [15]
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Section 5 of 6:

Are there yellow watermelons?

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  1. Yes, there are several varieties of watermelons with yellow flesh. If you cut open a watermelon from the store and the entire fruit is yellow, don’t worry—you just picked up a yellow variety of watermelon. This is a natural type of watermelon that may have been cultivated longer than red watermelons! Yellow watermelons simply lack the antioxidant lycopene, which gives red watermelons their color. [16]
    • While they might look more like a pineapple, yellow watermelons taste similar to red watermelons. Some people even say that they taste sweeter and more like honey. [17]
Section 6 of 6:

The Final Takeaway

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  1. Small yellow spots inside a watermelon are likely caused by defects while the fruit was growing, whether it absorbed too many nitrates, or it didn’t receive enough water or nutrients. Since these spots could potentially be harmful, it's best not to eat them and cut them out of the fruit. On the other hand, a yellow spot on the skin of the watermelon is a sign that the fruit is ripe, juicy, and sweet.
    • If the flesh of the watermelon is entirely yellow, this just means that you picked up a yellow variety of watermelon! These watermelons are natural and safe to eat.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2024/06/27/three-tips-to-pick-out-a-sweet-watermelon/
      2. ↑ https://www.ipt.us.com/produce-inspection-resources/inspectors-blog/defect-identification/watermelons-internal-discoloration
      3. ↑ https://tfrec.cahnrs.wsu.edu/postharvest-export/physiological-disorders/
      4. ↑ https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/u-scout/cucurbit/watermelon-rind-necrosis.html
      5. ↑ https://vegcropshotline.org/article/yellow-and-orange-flesh-watermelons/
      6. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/mn/why-nitrate-contamination-concern
      7. ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/news/fruit-with-bacterial-spot-not-pretty-but-safe-to-eat
      8. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897442/
      9. ↑ https://progressreport.cancer.gov/prevention/chemical_exposures/nitrate
      1. ↑ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/Guide%20to%20Washing%20Fresh%20Produce508.pdf
      2. ↑ https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2024/06/27/three-tips-to-pick-out-a-sweet-watermelon/
      3. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/townsandunionag/2022/12/ripe-watermelon/
      4. ↑ Ed Kuoha. Chef. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/townsandunionag/2022/12/ripe-watermelon/
      6. ↑ https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-do-i-know-when-watermelon-ready-harvest
      7. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-yellow-watermelon/
      8. ↑ https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5523

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