How to Pick a Ripe Avocado or Watermelon Every Time

For avocados, do not squeeze the body — check the stem. Flick off the small stem cap at the top. If it comes off easily and is green underneath, the avocado is ripe. If it is brown underneath, it is overripe. If the stem does not budge, it needs more time. Also, a ripe avocado should feel like pressing the base of your thumb when you make a fist — firm but slightly yielding.

For watermelons, look for three things: a yellow field spot (the patch where it sat on the ground — creamy yellow means ripe, white means unripe), a hollow sound when you knock on it (a dull thud means it is overripe), and a heavy feel for its size, which means it is full of water and flavor. These simple checks work reliably in any store or market.