Personal Watermelon

Miniature seedless watermelons have hit East Coast grocery stores this year, and for this we are grateful. They provide an efficient way to buy the juicy fruit -- beyond whole, seedless icebox varieties, which weigh 10 to 25 pounds, and pale pre-cut pieces that come shrink-wrapped or in plastic tubs.

The new smaller versions, billed as "personal watermelons," range from two to five pounds, with a thinner rind and firm flesh that registers a higher brix, or sweetness level, than regular watermelon.

Samples of the Calfornia-based Dulcinea Farms Pureheart watermelons were being handed out to enthusiastic taste testers at the Safeway in Darnestown, Md., on a recent weekend. Such are the small strides in the advance of Western civilization.

Miniature seedless watermelons are available at Safeway, $3.99 to $4.99. For more information, go to www.dulcinea.com.