The Reason You Should Never Buy Watermelon At Costco

You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't like to save money while they shop, and that's only one of the reasons why Costco is such a hit among consumers, per Yahoo. Sure, saving money is great and all, but novice Costco shoppers are likely to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume and variety of the items there. It'll take the power of a hundred nuns to fight off the voice in your head that wants you to put everything in the cart. Buying that humongous bag of frozen peas and a big tub of spinach sounds like a good idea at the moment, and you'll convince yourself that ultimately, you'll be saving money anyway because they're oh-so-cheap.

You don't learn until you sit there staring at your bag of peas, not knowing how you're going to finish it before it goes rancid. There are some things you shouldn't buy at Costco if you don't really know what you're going to do with them, especially produce. No one in their right mind feels good about wasting food, so you're better off buying your produce elsewhere if Costco's portions are too huge for you.

Refined by the regrets of splurging and waste, seasoned shoppers tend to have a mental list of the best and worst things to buy at Costco. While these lists may involve personal preference, some shoppers are asserting that there are a few things to consider the next time you want to buy watermelon from the wholesale depot.

At Mashed, we are fans of Costco and its bulk produce offerings — as long as we plan to consume a lot of perishables in a short time. Perhaps you own a bakery that specializes in fruit muffins and zucchini bread, have a family the size of a basketball team, or want to influence your office staff to eat healthier. In any of those cases, choosing fresh fruits and vegetables in bulk can be a great idea.

However, there are some things you shouldn't buy from Costco and produce may be one of them. Business Insider asked Costco employees whether they buy produce in bulk, and many said they find it is too difficult to consume mass quantities before the food quality begins to diminish.

Yes, Costco's jumbo seedless watermelons are huge, but if you consider the National Watermelon Association claim that a large watermelon can feed three dozen people, you can indulge the fam, or throw a party in order to get your money's worth. However, a modestly sized household might opt instead to buy pre-cut fruit from the supermarket.

Many social media critics maintain that when it comes to cantaloupe and watermelon, the warehouse's sources may not consistently provide the firmest and most flavorful melons throughout the season, according to Kitchn. One Reddit consumer complained that watermelons purchased later in summer had soggy flesh; another claimed on the site that their melon exploded after a few days on his counter. 

However, it is possible that Costco consumers are unaware of the fruit's optimal season (summer), and the best way to choose a watermelon. Whether you purchase the juicy fruit at Costco, a farmers market or your local grocery store, watermelon is great choice in salads (with mint and feta), and in cocktails. It is mostly water (92% according to the Western Watermelon Association) so it's refreshing, antioxidant-rich, and fat-free. It reduces inflammation and contains vitamins A, B6, and C.

To pick out a sweet one, look for an exterior that is lighter. While a dark green shell is pretty, it may not contain the sweetest flesh. It should be heavier than it looks and sound deep and hollow when you shake or thump it with your finger.

Whole, not-quite-ready-to-eat melons should be left at room temperature. Once ripe, whole melons can stay in the refrigerator for up to two weeks until ready to cut, advises Glad. You should cover melon halves with protective plastic wrap, and keep chunks or slices in an airtight container. Place the cut fruit in the refrigerator and consume within two to four days.

Perhaps before the spring, Issaquah, WA-based Costco will have better produce distributors. As long as you and your household have the capacity to consume the product before it goes bad, you might as well take advantage of Costco's deals. You can always head out to your nearest grocery store for pre-cut chunks if you're about that zero-waste life.