“How to choose a watermelon?” — a question arises in the minds of thousands of people as soon as green-striped beauties begin to appear on the shelves of shops and markets. The task is not easy, but solvable.
You just need to remember a few proven ways to identify a ripe and sweet watermelon.
There are a number of characteristics that will help you choose a truly ripe and sweet specimen from a pile of alluring striped fruits. Here is the treasured list:
- size;
- spot on side;
- unharmed;
- sound when tapping;
- color and structure of pulp;
- season;
- appearance of the crust;
- "floor" of watermelon.
In addition, there are quite popular “signs” of watermelon ripeness, which actually do not work and will not help you in such a task as choosing a ripe watermelon. The most common of them is the myth that a ripe watermelon must have a dry tail.
Many people try to choose a fruit that is not too large. Some fear that it will be too heavy and difficult to carry, while others fear that the watermelon has become large only because of the abundance of nitrates in it.
But there are different varieties of watermelons, and in some varieties the size of the fruit can reach 20 kilograms. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to give preference to a medium-sized watermelon. The rule of the golden mean also works in this case.
Ripe watermelon does not hide its “cheeks”
For reference: a “cheek” is a small light spot on the side of a watermelon, formed in the place where the watermelon lay when ripe. The spot is not a sign of disease or immaturity; the sun simply did not touch that area of the crust.
So, looking at the light spot on the rind will help you determine how to choose a good watermelon. Everything is simple here: the more yellow it has, the better.
But when buying a watermelon with a white circle on the side, you risk running into a tasteless product.
The size of the spot also requires attention. Be aware that a large spot indicates that the watermelon has been ripening for a long time in not too warm conditions. Because of this, the fruit loses its taste and becomes less juicy.
When buying a watermelon at the market or from the back of a car on the side of the road, pay special attention to this characteristic.
Under no circumstances should watermelon have the following flaws:
- cracks;
- dents;
- cuts;
- rotten areas (even very small ones!).
The fact is that the juicy and nutritious pulp of a watermelon is an ideal environment for the proliferation of bacteria, which, together with air and roadside dust, can get inside in abundance.
Eating watermelon with such a surprise can lead to poisoning and gastrointestinal upset. The same applies to cut watermelons, so don’t try to save money by buying not a whole watermelon, but only a half. Such frugality can cost you dearly.
The most commonly used method of checking watermelon for ripeness is tapping. Yes, here’s the problem: everyone knocks, but few people remember what the sound of a ripe fruit should be. So remember: a ripe and juicy watermelon makes a ringing, booming sound, while an unripe one makes a dull sound.
An overripe watermelon also sounds dull, in which there is already too much moisture and it has begun to sour. It is also better to refuse such a purchase. Thus, a voiced sound is good, a voiceless sound is bad.
To be sure, you can also squeeze the specimen you like with your hands. A slight crackle indicates readiness for use. The main thing is not to overdo it.
Color and structure of pulp
And this is a characteristic that will help you determine the ripeness of the fruit after cutting it. If the purchase is made in a supermarket, you can see halves of watermelon on the counter.
They are wrapped in cling film, which almost eliminates the entry of bacteria into the pulp, and provides you with the opportunity to study the product in detail. So, how to choose a delicious watermelon based on the appearance of the pulp?
There are two main positions: color and structure. The color of the pulp should be pinkish.
Scarlet color indicates the presence of nitrates or that the watermelon is overripe. Both of these things are not in his favor. The structure should be porous and granular. These watermelons are sometimes referred to as “sugar” watermelons.
Selling season
As a rule, watermelons begin to be sold almost from the beginning of summer. However, if you want to get your fill of the real southern fruit, and not the product of chemicals, you will have to wait until about mid-August.
Of course, there are also early varieties, but it still takes time to transport them. You may be lucky and the July watermelon will indeed be sweet, but it is unknown how healthy it will be.
A ripe watermelon can be easily distinguished from its peers by paying attention to the appearance of the rind.
Here Several main signs of a tasty watermelon:
- the stripes forming the pattern must be clear;
- glossy peel;
- the crust is hard, it cannot be damaged without effort;
- When the colored layer of the peel is damaged, a recognizable smell of fresh grass appears.
Signs indicating immaturity or disease of the fetus:
- the pattern is broken or uncharacteristic, the stripes are blurry;
- dullness of the peel;
- the crust can be easily damaged even with a fingernail.
Choose a watermelon with more space between the stripes, as they are considered to be sweeter.
"Floor" of watermelon
It is believed that girl watermelons are sweeter than boy watermelons, although the division itself is arbitrary. How to choose a watermelon girl? Just look at the speck left in the place where the flower once was.
If the spot is flat and quite large, then it is a girl. In male watermelons, the spot is convex and smaller in size.
This division has nothing to do with biology and exists only to simplify the selection process. Indeed, girl watermelons turn out to be juicier and sweeter in practice. There is an assumption that this is due to the characteristics of pollination.
Is a dry tail a sign of ripeness?
It is believed that when a watermelon ripens, it can no longer take in nutrients and moisture and, under its own weight, separates from the bush. In general, the theory is correct, but it is broken by the fact that in practice the watermelon can be separated from the food route before being cut.
And the tail dries in 3 days, so there may well be a green watermelon with a dry tail on the counter.
If you still do not want to give up this method, pay attention to the tip of the ponytail. Even with a dried stalk, you can determine whether it was cut or broke off naturally.
All characteristics listed above are general.
It doesn’t hurt to highlight several varieties of watermelons that end up on tables more often than others and highlight their features.
- Kherson watermelons. Sugar Kherson watermelons never grow too large, their weight does not exceed 10 kg. If they show you a twenty-kilogram giant and claim that it is from Kherson, do not believe it. It is either of a different variety or grew on nitrates alone. The appearance of watermelons of this variety is classic: bright light stripes, oblong shape, soft pinkish flesh and rather thin peel.
- Crimean Crimson Gloria. Watermelons of this variety can be really large. The average weight of one specimen can range from 10 to 17 kg. In addition, watermelons of this variety can withstand long-term transportation. They are also grown in the south of Russia. In appearance they resemble the Kherson ones, but differ in their thick skin and greater weight.
- Hybrid chill. The peculiarity of this variety of watermelons is that they can be stored for a very long time, until the New Year. You just need to provide the fetus with comfortable storage conditions. To do this, place it in a dry, dark place. However, representatives of this variety appear on the market only in early September, as they ripen late.
- Skorik. Watermelons of this variety are early and appear on the shelves among the first. They can be distinguished by the dark green, uniform color of the skin and low weight - no more than 7 kg.
- Photon. The same applies to early varieties and differs from Skorik only in that it has a light skin with pronounced stripes.
Market or store?
Wherever you buy this juicy berry, this place must meet certain requirements. They are their own for both the market and the supermarket.
Watermelon on the market
To begin with, it should be noted that a market does not mean a spontaneous accumulation of tents near your entrance, but a territory specially designated for this purpose. And tents along the road are not even considered, since buying watermelon there can result in severe poisoning instead of enjoying the taste.
So, The following requirements must be met by the owner of a retail outlet selling watermelons:
- the presence of a canopy that protects watermelons from direct sunlight;
- distance from the roadway;
- the storage tray is located at a height of at least 20 cm from the ground;
- availability of an Epidemiological Surveillance service certificate for each batch of goods.
Watermelon in the store
When buying a watermelon in a store check the following points:
- watermelons are not stored outdoors, under the sun or near the roadway;
- storage trays are located at a height of at least 20 cm from the floor and do not have any damage;
- availability of necessary documents on the purchase of goods from trusted suppliers.
Now you know what the perfect watermelon looks like, and you can safely go in search of it. Where to buy and which variety to choose is up to you to decide.
Mother of two children. I have been running a house for more than 7 years - this is my main job. I like to experiment, I constantly try different means, methods, techniques that can make our life easier, more modern, more fulfilling. I love my family.
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We always associate August and September with watermelons. But to buy a ripe, sweet and naturally grown watermelon, you should follow a few tricks. For example, take a tape measure with you to the store and measure the fruit, then you will not be mistaken with your choice. And before serving, dip a piece of pulp into clean water at room temperature to avoid trouble.
We are in website We love sweet watermelons very much. Therefore, so that you never make a mistake when choosing a berry, we have collected useful tips for you from Internet users and added a bonus in which we will tell you how to choose a truly tasty and ripe watermelon.
1. Yellow crust is a sign of high concentration of nitrates
Although some people believe that the holes through them are traces of insects, and not from nitrate needles, still try not to take such a watermelon. Even if the berry is good, some of the pulp will be spoiled.
3. Don't eat watermelon with a large cavity inside.
Tears in the pulp indicate that the fruit is overripe or contains growth hormones. Overripe watermelon can be slightly bitter, and watermelon with growth hormone can cause poisoning. Therefore, it is better not to eat such berries.
4. Before eating watermelon, dip the pulp in water
To check watermelon for nitrate content and avoid poisoning, dip a piece of pulp into clean water at room temperature. If the berry is dangerous, the water will turn a rich pink color. It is better not to eat such fruit.
5. Watermelon shouldn't feel light when you pick it up.
Sometimes even a beautiful, smooth rind, a yellow spot and a dry tail do not guarantee that the watermelon is tasty. Be sure to weigh it before purchasing: it should be dense and heavy. If the store doesn't have scales, trust your feelings. A ripe berry should be quite heavy when you pick it up.
Bonus: how to choose a delicious watermelon
1. Choose fruit without dents
A ripe and sweet watermelon should be shiny, smooth and without visible damage. Small dents may be the result of bruises. In such places, the spoilage process occurs faster, and there is a chance that most of the fruit will be thrown into the trash.
2. You should not be afraid of holes and shallow holes in the peel.
Many Internet users write that these depressions are traces of the needles of melon growers, who prick watermelons with nitrates. If the depressions are not through, you should not be afraid of them: these are traces left by wireworm larvae. They do not affect the quality and taste of the berries.
3. When choosing a watermelon, look for small beige marks on the rind.
These beige “scars” on the smooth skin of the watermelon are places where bees tried to “taste” the pulp. Internet users checked and decided that such watermelon is often very sweet.
4. A ripe watermelon weighing 4 kg should have a circumference of 61.9 cm or more
According to the magazine "Young Technician" in 1986, a ripe watermelon weighing 4 kg should have a circumference of 61.9 cm or more. Internet users checked the information from the Soviet publication, and it turned out
Who doesn't love watermelons? But how to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon? Most people are obsessed with this delicious and refreshing berry. Sometimes we think that unless you are an experienced connoisseur, buying a juicy, delicious, fully ripe and sweet watermelon is blind luck. However, choosing the perfect watermelon is not so difficult, just know a few of its signs.
The first rule for choosing a ripe and sweet watermelon is it should be firm, with a smooth skin, without any major cuts or dents. Lumps and bumps may mean that the watermelon has not received enough water or sunlight, resulting in dry, white flesh.
Ripe and sweet heavy watermelon
Next, take the watermelon and weigh it with your hands. Heavier is always better. Since a good fruit is 92% water, its heaviness indicates that it is good and ripe. If you compare the weight of one watermelon with the weight of another of the same size, then heavier will be better.
Ripe watermelon has a yellow circle
Now twist the watermelon. There should be a creamy yellow spot on it where it lay on the ground and ripened in the sun. And the darker the stain, the better the watermelon will taste. A white spot or its absence means that the fruit was picked before it had time to fully ripen.
Avoid shiny ones
One thing to always keep in mind when choosing a ripe and sweet watermelon is Avoid fruits with shiny skin. This usually means they are not ripe. An ideal watermelon will have a dull-looking rind.
Not too soft
To select a ripe and sweet watermelon, place your thumb on the opposite end from the stem and press gently. The peel should be slightly wrinkled, but if it wrinkles too easily, put it back; your watermelon is overripe and will have a dry consistency.
ringing sound
Place the watermelon on a flat surface and tap it well. When you click on it, you should hear a ringing sound, like a tenor, not a bass. This may sound silly, but this is not grandma's advice; A dull, deep sound indicates that the watermelon is beginning to split inside - a sign of overripeness.
However, be careful not to make the sound too high-pitched, as this may indicate that the watermelon is unripe.
Irina Kamshilina
Cooking for someone is much more pleasant than cooking for yourself))
Content
The sweet, juicy and velvety pulp of watermelon is pleasantly refreshing on a hot day and quenches thirst. In addition, it is a source of iron, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, fiber, pectin and vitamin C. At the same time, the need arises to solve the problem of how to choose a watermelon, because identifying a juicy and tasty fruit is not so difficult. The main thing in this matter is a competent approach, otherwise there is a high risk of getting light pink pulp without any pleasant taste instead of scarlet.
How to choose a good watermelon
It is necessary to choose the right berry due to the fact that some watermelons may contain harmful substances. Poisoning with nitrates, the content of which in the fetus sometimes exceeds the norm, causes headache, nausea and vomiting. In addition, do not buy melon products near highways, because... Car exhaust contains heavy metals and harmful substances. To buy ripe fruit, take into account the following basic criteria:
- seasonality of ripening;
- appearance;
- the sound a watermelon makes when you tap it;
- "floor";
- ponytail type.
Seasonality of ripening
To avoid buying unripe fruit, take into account the month in which you decide to purchase melon products. The most delicious watermelons ripen during the season, which begins in mid-August and lasts until the end of September. Early fruits, as a rule, are saturated with nitrates, because producers who strive to harvest the crop faster feed melons with growth stimulants and nitrogen fertilizers. If you want to enjoy healthy products without any consequences for your health, then try to be patient and take into account the period of full ripening.
Appearance
One of the signs of fruit ripeness is its appearance. Inspect it and make sure that there are bright contrasting stripes on the surface. They, like the shiny hard crust, are considered a sure sign of the ripeness of the fruit. If they are not there, then feel free to pass by and continue your search. Also, make sure that the surface of the watermelon is free of dents, soft spots, small cracks, scratches and other damage. The fact is that microbes and bacteria can easily penetrate into the fetus through them.
It will be good if the fruit has a slightly elongated or spherical shape, an even and uniform color - this is a huge plus in favor of choosing a specific product. Be sure to rub the crust, because... Immature products will have a distinct smell of fresh hay. In addition, do not buy cut fruits - in this case, even the presence of certificates may not protect you from possible health problems.
What is the sound of a ripe watermelon?
Do not forget that melons should be sold either on the store counter, or in sales tents with awnings or on special platforms located above the ground. In order not to choose an unripe or, on the contrary, overripe fruit, be sure to knock on it with your fist. A ripe watermelon produces a ringing, clear sound. If he turns out to be deaf, then refuse the purchase and continue your search. In addition, put your ear to the fruit and lightly squeeze the berry - a slight crackle is a sign of quality.
The presence of nitrates in berries
Try to choose medium-sized melons. Large fruits, despite their tempting and appetizing appearance, are often grown using nitrates. As for the small ones, they often turn out to be not very sweet, although everything will depend on the variety. Pay attention to the cut watermelon (if the seller has it). If the seeds turn out to be white, then the watermelon is either unripe or contains a lot of nitrates. The seeds should be black or dark brown.
Additionally, you should be alerted by the implausibly bright color of the pulp with a lilac tint. Another point that may indicate an excess of nitrates is a smooth gloss on the cut surface. Don’t forget that nitrates are concentrated closer to the crust; therefore, leave the juicy core for the children - it is the most delicious. You should not try a berry if its pulp is riddled with yellow or light yellow fibers.
How to recognize a good watermelon
The process of finding a berry suitable for consumption can take a lot of time, because... you have to examine the fruit from all sides and make sure there is a bright striped crust. The stalk is of particular importance. If it is not there, then there is a possibility that it was torn off on purpose, because... The goods went through long-term storage and long transportation. To choose delicious melon products, pay attention to:
- yellow spot on side;
- bright striped crust;
- crust;
- tail;
- sound;
- "gender" (boy or girl).
Yellow spot on side
Since the fruit lies on one side, a light spot that has a yellow or orange tint forms over time at the point of contact with the surface of the earth. In another way it is also called “cheek”. You should be wary of an unevenly painted, too light or large surface. This is a sign that the berry has not been on the melon patch. The optimal size of such a spot is considered to be 5-10 cm. Another sure sign of ripeness are small light spots. They appear all over the surface of the watermelon rind after chlorophyll production stops.
Bright stripes on the peel
Choosing the right watermelon is a little more difficult than it might seem at first glance. Another important sign of the ripeness of melon products is the presence of contrasting stripes, and bright ones. The color should be bright green. If you don't notice them or they are only slightly visible, then continue with your choice. It is better to spend more time searching for tasty and ripe berries than to later find out that the purchase you made was a waste of money.
Dense and shiny crust
The rind should be smooth and shiny, but since sellers constantly rub their products, choose a watermelon from the depths of the display. In addition, the crust must be firm, because it hardens when the fruit reaches maturity and stops absorbing water. Try to pierce the crust with your fingernail; if this fails, then this is a product of truly excellent quality. Despite its good density, such a crust can be easily scratched. Before choosing the product you are interested in, make sure that the peel does not have a matte coating and that the pattern is clear.
Dry ponytail
The stalk is no less important when choosing a suitable watermelon than other criteria. The tail must be dry, because... it dries out when the melon product is fully ripe. If the stalk turns out to be green, then you have a fruit that was picked before full ripening, although in unripe watermelons collected long ago, the green tail gradually acquires a yellow tint. Another difference between ripe and unripe berries is that the stalk of a ripe fruit is fragile and breaks easily, while that of an unripe fruit is more flaccid.
Loud and deep sound
Tap each watermelon with your fist and listen carefully to the sound. For ripened melons and melons, it should be clear and sonorous. Unripe watermelons usually have a dull sound. True, it is very difficult to hear the ringing through the strong and thick peel. Despite this, you should not neglect this well-known method of checking the ripeness of the fruit. Additionally, you can squeeze the berry a little - it should crackle slightly.
"Boy" or "girl"?
Not every buyer of such products knows that watermelon has a gender. Distinguishing a “boy” from a “girl” is not so difficult. The female fruits have a completely flat bottom with a large brown circle on the skin. Watermelons belonging to the male gender are characterized by a convex lower part and a very small circle. It is better to choose female berries, because... they are the sweetest and most delicious. In addition, they contain an order of magnitude less seeds.
The most delicious varieties
To choose a ripe and sweet watermelon, check out the distinctive features and characteristics of popular varieties. Find out how much they weigh on average, what color of the skin they have, etc. When choosing, keep in mind that a ripe berry should be heavy, but the overripe version is in most cases much lighter. In addition, never ask to cut the fruit to determine ripeness - by doing this you open access to microbes, which develop especially rapidly in the hot season. Popular and widespread varieties are:
- Crimson Gloria;
- Astrakhan;
- Kherson;
- Skorik;
- Photon;
- Chill.
Crimson Gloria
This variety was bred on the Crimean Peninsula. It has a long shelf life and good disease resistance, making it perfectly transportable over long distances. It has gained considerable popularity in the south of the country - one of such regions is the Volgograd region. The average weight of the variety ranges from 10-17 kg. The rind is thicker compared to the Astrakhan variety, thanks to which the fruit is reliably protected from damage during long-term transportation. The pulp is tender and sweet.
Astrakhan
This type of fruit is one of the most popular and in demand in Russia. By the end of August, as a rule, the sweetest and largest Astrakhan watermelons begin to appear on the shelves. It was bred as a separate variety in 1977 through the efforts of one of the leading breeders in the country at that time. This fruit has a spherical or slightly oblong shape. The pulp of the ripe berry is juicy, aromatic, and coarse-grained. Its color is bright red.
The color of the Astrakhan fruit is green. The pattern on the surface consists of spiky stripes with a dark green tint. The average weight varies between 8-10 kg. During the dry season, voids may appear inside the fruit, but they do not have any effect on the taste. In general, it is better to buy good quality fruit with sweet and tasty pulp without any voids.
Kherson
The berries of this species never grow too large - their weight in most cases does not exceed 10 kg. If they show you a 15-20 kg giant and at the same time assure you that this is the Kherson variety, then do not believe it - it is either of a different type, or it was grown using a large amount of nitrates. Watermelon has a round shape and an average bark thickness of 9-12 mm. The flesh is red, sweet, juicy, grainy, which is why this species is very popular.
Early ripening varieties Skorik and Photon
Among the varieties available today there are many early ripening ones. One of them is Skorik, which has pronounced taste properties. The fruits are striped and large, and the seeds are black. The shape is spherical or spherical-oblate. Skorik is the earliest Russian type of watermelon. The pulp is dense, bright red. The average weight is from 2 to 4 kg. This species is valued for its relatively large size, rich watermelon aroma and juicy honey-sweet pulp. The surface is smooth, the background is green, and the pattern is presented in the form of dark green stripes with blurred edges.
When deciding to choose an early variety product, pay attention to Photon. The fruit is medium in size, slightly oblong in shape, weighing approximately 4 kg. Light green pattern in the form of wide stripes of a dark green hue. The seeds are round and black, and the flesh is red, loose and tender. After harvesting, Photon is stored for about 2-3 weeks. Transports well. Ripe Photon has a pleasant and sweet taste, fresh aroma.
Hybrid variety Kholodok
If you are planning to choose a mid-late variety, then you will like Chill. The average weight is about 4.2 kg, so this species can be considered large. Chill has an elongated spherical shape with medium to leathery bark, so distinguishing this variety from others is not too difficult. Its pulp is grainy, juicy, intense red in color with a pink tint. The seeds are large - reaching 1.5 cm in length, and sometimes more.
Where is the best place to buy watermelon?
Before you learn how to choose a watermelon, you need to decide on the place of purchase. To do this, you need to go to specialized stores or walk along the aisles with sales tents, which must be equipped with an awning. If melon products are presented on special floorings, make sure that they are located at a height of at least 15 cm from the ground surface.
In addition, retail outlets should be located away from highways, because Transport exhausts are absorbed by melons instantly. Also, do not forget that delicate watermelon pulp is an optimal environment for the proliferation of microorganisms that enter through invisible cracks along with dirt and dust. It is unlikely that you will be able to choose and buy safe products in such places. Although, many buyers neglect this recommendation.
Certificate of Quality
To choose melon products that are truly safe for health, pay attention to the watermelon certificate. Ask the seller to show it. If it is, then read the data indicated in it: place of collection, harvest date, nitrate content and other characteristics. Based on them, you can make a final conclusion whether to choose this or that product from a particular seller or not. If you are offered a photocopy of a certificate, it must be in color and the text must be clear.
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How to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon - ways to determine by sound, dry tail and color of stripes
There are, of course, people who prefer melons, but you and I know that there is nothing better than a cold, refreshing watermelon on a hot summer day.
Therefore, today we will tell you how to choose a truly ripe watermelon, so that you don’t regret spending the money later.
Let’s say right away that folk methods of selecting ripe watermelons, such as a dry tail, bright green color or a certain sound when tapped, of course, work, but only under certain conditions.
1 season
The watermelon season in our country begins in August, and to be precise, in the second half of the month. Despite this, the first watermelons appear in some supermarkets as early as June. If you want a ripe, sweet, healthy, summer-scented watermelon, it’s better to wait for that “real” one in the second half of August and not take risks.
2 Place of purchase
Watermelons should be purchased only in those places that are intended for this. Firstly, if these are equipped tents, then they must have an awning that will protect large berries from the sun's rays. Secondly, all fruits must be located on floorings no lower than 15 centimeters above the ground.
This condition must be met, because a watermelon can have many microcracks into which germs, dirt, dust and other unhelpful things can get.
In addition, you should refrain from buying watermelon from tents located on the road. The fact is that melons have the ability to absorb everything that surrounds them. On a busy highway, they can only be surrounded by exhaust fumes, heavy metals and unscrupulous shoppers.
3 Fetal integrity
Before buying a watermelon, do not forget to inspect it from all sides. Check if it is cracked anywhere, if there are any obvious dents, small holes (be sure to read about the dangers of “pricked” watermelons) and other visual defects.
As mentioned above, all sorts of microorganisms actively strive for watermelon, for which the sweet pulp of the fruit is a favorable environment for reproduction. In this regard, you cannot buy cut watermelons, the sale of which is actually prohibited.
4 Fruit size
A watermelon should not be huge and resemble an overgrown berry among its relatives. In addition, you should not choose a very small fruit. Therefore, in watermelon matters, as in many others, the “golden mean” rule applies.
It is best to take a fruit weighing from five to seven kilograms.
5 Watermelon rind
The rind of a ripe watermelon should be firm and shiny. In addition, it should be difficult to pierce with a fingernail. The fact is that when the fruit ripens, the supply of moisture to it stops and its surface becomes hard.
If you try to rub the rind of a watermelon with your fingernail, and it comes off easily, and in addition you smell the smell of freshly cut grass, then you know that this is an unripe fruit.
6 Color of stripes
When choosing a watermelon, it is important to pay attention to the color of its stripes. In a ripe fruit they should be contrasting and bright.
7 Watermelon side color
Each watermelon has a characteristic light spot, which it received as a result of lying on its side for a long time. The ripe fruit usually has a rich yellow and sometimes orange color.
8 Fruit tail
As you know, a ripe watermelon must have a dry tail, because after the fruit ripens, it is separated from the melon due to the fact that its tail dries out. But this does not always indicate the ripeness of the fruit.
A dry tail can also appear on old unripe fruits that have been lying on the counter for a long time.
9 Boy or girl
Let us remind you that watermelons are divided into “boys” and “girls”. To determine the “gender” of a watermelon, you need to look at the side opposite the tail - for “boys” it is convex, and for “girls” it is flat. When choosing a watermelon, you should always give preference to “girls”, because they have much fewer seeds and contain more sugar.
Still from the movie “Dirty Dancing”
10 Sound of watermelon
Finally, we got to the most important way to determine the ripeness and juiciness of a watermelon. Everyone knows that when tapping, the sound should be ringing, not dull.
11 Nitrate content
In order for watermelons to ripen faster, and for unscrupulous buyers to purchase them earlier than the season, producers often fertilize the fruits with nitrates, which can have an extremely negative impact on consumer health.
If no small holes were found on the outside of the watermelon, this is not a guarantee that the watermelon is natural. You can try to identify the presence by cutting the fruit. Typically, such watermelons have too bright and saturated color of the pulp and give off a purple tint. In addition, the fibers of such a watermelon change color - they become not white, but yellow.
It is worth remembering that the least nitrates are contained in the middle of the fruit, and most of all - near the rind.
- Author
