Soon the end of summer, which means the time will come for delicious and sweet watermelons. By the way, did you know that the fruits of this annual herb are morphologically considered to be a berry ?! In this short instruction I want to tell how to choose a ripe watermelon correctly so that it is ripe and sweet. From childhood, many believe that the ripeness of a watermelon can be determined by sound, or rather by knock. A ripe sound is more muffled. And if you click on it, then it will crackle. And if the knock is sonorous, then he has not yet ripened.
In fact, there are much more signs of ripe watermelon. Let's look at them all.
On a ripe watermelon dry tail
The tail of the watermelon indicates its maturity: green indicates that the fruit was picked too early and its taste will no longer be as juicy. Ripe will be the one with already dried hard tail.
And if you are lucky and you are on a melon, then to choose a guaranteed ripe watermelon there will be one with a dry mustache on the stalk. There he is:
On this basis, ripe watermelon is determined by professional collectors on a melon when they are loaded into vehicles.
How to determine maturity by earthen stain
While the fruit grows, it lies on the ground and this part of it is distinguished by a yellowish color. It is called "Earth Spot." So the most ripe, and therefore very sweet, will be the watermelon, in which the earthen spot is closer to dark yellow or even orange. The greener the fruit, the brighter the spot, closer to white. Here is a striking example:
On the right is the “right” watermelon. But the one on the left was ripped off early and he wasn’t ripe, so you shouldn’t take it.
Signs of ripe and sweet watermelon
Juicy and ripened southern berry has a number of characteristic features:
- In shape resembles a slightly elongated ball.
- The optimal weight of a ripe and sweet fruit is 5-10 kg.
- You get a watermelon no earlier than mid-August.
- There is a yellowish spot on the crust, and the stripes themselves have clear contours.
- The tail of a ripe and sweet watermelon is dry.
- When the berry is tapped, a dull sound is heard, and when squeezed, a crackle is heard.
How to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon without nitrates?
Nitrates are dangerous, primarily because they tend to accumulate not only in fruit crops, but also in the human body. Even worse, with their large accumulation, oxygen starvation, poisoning and even death can occur. Therefore, it is very important to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon without nitrates, which unscrupulous producers like to use, especially when growing early fruits.
The easiest way to check the sun berry for nitrates is to purchase a special device, the compact size of which will allow you to always carry it with you. If you don’t have a nitrate meter, then as soon as you get home, lower the watermelon into a bowl of water: the ripe and sweet fruit will not drown. If the berry drowned, immediately return it to the seller!
In a watermelon grown by conscientious producers, the cut fruit will have a granular surface of a moderate reddish color. At the same time, the seeds will be mostly dark, not white.
If the flesh of the berry has a bright pink or even purple color, and the seeds are predominantly white, be careful: this is a watermelon stuffed with a lot of nitrates. Remember the main thing: if the fetus raises doubts about its quality, it is better to refuse to buy and choose another!
Choosing a sweet, ripe and good watermelon by sound and appearance
To get started, pay close attention to its peel. It should be firm to the touch, while it should be free of chips, cracks and damage. The crust of a good berry is not dull, glistens in the sun, but does not have a wax coating.
The sweet and ripe fruit on the peel has a yellowish speck, which is formed from lying on the ground. At the same time, the striped pattern itself is clear, bright and not blurry. Please note: the more saturated the green color of the peel, the more likely the excellent quality of the watermelon!
In addition, be sure to see if there are black dots or puncture spots on the skin. The fact is that to give the watermelon a salable appearance, some sellers use nitrate injections.
To determine by sound whether the berry is ripe, you need to put it on one hand and gently tap the other. If the fruit makes a dull sound, which at the same time gives into the hand on which the watermelon is located, then feel free to buy it!
Tips for choosing a good and ripe watermelon when buying in the market
Bazaars and markets are full of unscrupulous sellers who strive at a high price to give you a low-quality fruit. Inspect and “listen” to the berry as described in this article, and you will already protect yourself from buying a low-quality product.
Trying a watermelon when buying in the market, as our mothers and grandmothers did, is absolutely not worth it. The fact is that a knife unwashed during the day, which is used to cut the fruit “to try,” and heat are good sources that create a favorable environment for the propagation of pathogenic bacteria.
If you don’t have a nitrate meter, I advise you to bring a bottle of water and a few glasses to the market with you. These simple and improvised tools will allow you to determine the presence or absence of nitrate in the selected watermelon.
So, ask the seller to cut off a piece of pulp from the “test” watermelon. Pour half a cup of water and dip the fruit into it. If the water becomes cloudy in 2-3 minutes, then you can take such a watermelon. If the water turns colored, go to another seller, as this berry is full of nitrates!
Of course, with this approach, you can spend a lot of time choosing one watermelon, but it's worth it, because you do not need poisoning and other health problems from eating poor-quality berries, right?
Video on how to choose a ripe, sweet and tasty watermelon in the store
When choosing a southern berry in a store, take an interest in getting started where it came from. Ask to show you a certificate of quality for the sold watermelon, since legal sales outlets must have one. If he is not, I do not advise you to risk your health by making a purchase in such a store.
In supermarkets, the sun berry must be chosen as carefully as in the markets. At the same time, do not forget to keep a receipt from the purchase so that you can return a poor-quality fruit or make a complaint to the seller in case of watermelon poisoning.
In order to make you more clear about the process of choosing a juicy berry, I found an excellent video for you. Be sure to look at it - there the expert tells in detail and shows all the nuances of checking the watermelon for quality and ripeness.
Lifehacks experts on choosing a good watermelon
Watermelon experts have their own good berry picker. First of all, they advise you to pay attention to the stain on the peel. If it has a diameter of 5-7 cm and yellow or light orange color, then the fruit is ripe and tasty. If the mark is white, the berry is not quite ripe.
In a ripe watermelon, the crust should be firm - it is almost impossible to pierce it with a fingernail. If at the slightest pressure you managed to pierce the berry, then they want to sell you an unripe fruit.
When you turn it in your hands, it should be firm to the touch from all sides. When choosing a watermelon, stop at the "girl", because it is sweeter. The fact is that the southern berry has two sexes. How to find female among its fruits? Pay attention to the bottom (where there is no tail) of the watermelon - it should be flatter than the "boys".
When buying a sunny berry, pay close attention to the place of sale. It is very important that the outlet is equipped with a canopy and special pallets at least 0.2 meters high for storing fruits.
Choose a ripe watermelon in the garden (melon)
The surest indicator of the maturity of a berry on a bed is a fully dried mustache opposite it, that is, the closest one to it. In this case, the tail remains green, not yellow!
The place where the fruit is in contact with the ground should have a yellowish or orange hue. In addition, the peel of the watermelon must be firm. This suggests that the berry has ripened.
Be sure to watch the following video if you want to learn how to accurately determine the maturity of a southern fruit on a melon and choose the most delicious of them.
How to choose a delicious watermelon in October?
In October, the watermelon season comes to an end, therefore, as a rule, they are no longer ripe. However, there are several nuances of choosing a southern berry in the fall.
So, in October, you should buy the most immature, in your opinion, fruit, which is characterized by an almost complete absence of a yellowish spot on the crust and a green tail. The fact is that by the end of the season it is not recommended to choose a fully ripened fruit, since in this case it will certainly be overripe and tasteless.
Moreover, what is good in autumn watermelons, they no longer have nitrates and pesticides that give them a marketable appearance at the beginning of the season. But the benefits and taste remain without fail!
Do you know how to choose a watermelon in order not to poison them? If you have your own secrets that were not discussed in this article, be sure to share useful comments in the comments. See you soon!
Season of sale.
Here I look first. We will never take watermelons from us, before mid-August. The fact is that choosing a sweet watermelon before is almost impossible. Only from mid-August you can buy sweet berries.
watermelon selection methods
By this time they manage to collect the sun and all the vitamins. Those that appear earlier are either immature and bland, or full of nitrates.
But there are early ripening varieties, you say. Yes there are, but it takes time to transport them, also consider. Here it will already depend on the variety of watermelon. For example, this year I was on vacation in June in the Kuban. In late June, they bought there an early ripening variety. Just a jumble. Sweet and very ripe.
But for some reason, such people do not carry to Siberia. May not come across. If you know otherwise, write in the comments to let readers know about it.
We are looking for the right watermelon on the bee spider web
If you look at watermelons in the store when you buy, then the so-called "bee spider web" will help you find the sweetest. There she is:
These are small brown spots, somewhat reminiscent of a web. They tell us that during pollination, bees often touched the ovary of the fetus, that is, pollination was very intense, which means the fruit will be sugar!
The appearance of the peel.
Choosing a sweet watermelon is easy enough by looking at the appearance of the berry.
Here A few key signs of a delicious watermelon:
- the stripes forming the pattern should be clear,
- glossy peel
- the crust is hard, it cannot be damaged without effort,
- if the painted skin layer is damaged, a recognizable smell of fresh grass appears.
Signs of ripeness or illness of the fetus:
- the pattern is broken or uncharacteristic, the bands are blurry,
- dull peel,
- the crust can easily be damaged even with a fingernail.
Choose a watermelon with a large distance between the bands, as it is believed that they are sweeter.
Boy or girl?
And you know that watermelons are also distinguished by gender. "Men" stand out in a narrower and elongated shape. They have large seeds, and the taste is not very bright, but the pulp itself is very, very juicy. "Girls" are smaller and rounder. They are as if flattened. They have a very sweet rich taste and small seeds.
Big watermelon - ripe watermelon!
Another way to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon is to look for medium-sized specimens weighing from 6 to 10 kilograms. Moreover, a good fruit is always heavy enough for its size.
The largest copies are also not worth taking. The fact is that even “local” fruits (that is, grown in Russia) weighing more than 15 kilograms end up full of nitrates. Unfortunately, the nitrate content in the eye cannot be determined.
A few tips for last:
Try to buy watermelons in proven places. The outlet should be equipped with a tray for these fruits and covered with an awning. Alternatively, a covered truck. Buying watermelons piled in a heap on the ground, and even next to the road, is clearly not worth it.
The most delicious watermelon should also be outwardly beautiful - shiny, not sluggish, without cracks, dents or scratches. The strips are clear and contrasting. Through damage to the peel, dirt and bacteria enter the fetus and this can not only ruin the taste, but also cause an upset stomach.
Many sellers offer to cut a slice of sample from your favorite watermelon. Do not do this. Sellers usually don’t wash knives and bring bacteria unnecessary there into the fruit due to which it can quickly disappear.
Choosing the right watermelon - how to do it “by eye”
Also remember that the place where you purchase the product plays a particularly important role. Since watermelon has microcracks in its upper crust, microbes and harmful substances can penetrate the fetus. In this regard, it is not necessary to purchase watermelons located near roads. It is best to purchase it in a shopping center lying on a window separate from other fruits and vegetables. For the same reason, it is strongly discouraged to purchase already cut watermelons. Since this is a storehouse of harmful substances and microorganisms.
Some people buy watermelons from trusted merchants to protect themselves from low-quality goods. A seller with a good reputation always values his customers. He will offer you only the best watermelon.
Appearance is often misleading, and to give preference to a specific watermelon only on the "green caftan" is unreasonable. Usually, the most delicious watermelon has not quite even shapes and is even unpretentious. It is difficult to disagree with the proverb: "Not everything is beautiful, that is catchy and bright."
How to choose a watermelon - “Boy” or “Girl”
It is believed that the "girls" are endowed with a more sugar flavor. They are smaller and slightly flattened. “Boys” have a different shape, slightly elongated vertically. Their sizes are larger. The “buttocks of girls” are wider in diameter and have a flat shape, and the “buttocks of boys” look like a small circle resembling a dot.
How to choose a watermelon in size and weight - tips
You should not admire particularly large specimens, since, most likely, growth enhancers were introduced into their flesh. Such sizes indicate fertilizing the berries with chemicals, which is unsafe for health. Especially alarming are the large sizes of watermelon in July and early August. Small fruits are likely to be watery and unsweetened. The most preferred weight is about 5 - 8 kilograms.
Watermelon integrity
The bark of a ripe and juicy watermelon is quite thick and dense. It is not easy to pierce it with a fingernail, but it is easy to scratch the top layer. The fruit should not have cracks, dents, rotten sections and cuts. Pathogenic flora can enter through the damaged areas and spoil the flesh of watermelon. That is why intestinal infections become more frequent during the hot season.
How to choose a watermelon by the tail
A very interesting and, probably, the most striking indicator of the maturity of a watermelon is its tail. It must be dry, because after ripening the watermelon loses its ability to absorb moisture from the outside. If there is no tail at all, then it is better to refuse such a purchase - it is likely that the manufacturers decided to conceal the poor quality of the goods.
An important point in choosing a watermelon is the presence of a dry tail with a yellow tint. The green color of the stalk means that the watermelon was picked ahead of time. In this case, it is still unripe and not ready for use. The complete absence of ponytails when buying a watermelon is not desirable.
Why bang a watermelon
Right in the store you can tap on the round fruit. A loud response sound is a good sign, and when the fetus is compressed, a crack will appear. Such a watermelon can be taken safely. Deaf responses, most likely, indicate the immatureness of the pulp.
How to choose a watermelon by color
The brightness of the crust and its gloss is an additional indicator of ripeness and sweetness. A ripe fruit has many stripes that differ in their contrast. Watermelon peel has a peculiar luster. It’s hard to pierce it with a fingernail. The barrel of watermelon with which it was in contact with the ground should be yellow, and even orange, this is normal. But the yellowness should not be large, no more than 10 - 12 centimeters.
Even on a watermelon, there may be a so-called "bee web". It looks like not very beautiful, brown spots on the crust, but at the same time, it says that the bees did not fly past, touched the curtain during pollination, and the more often this happened, the sweeter the berry.
How to choose a watermelon without nitrates
If the seller is confident in high-quality fruits, he will never refuse to make a small incision for the buyer. You yourself can appreciate the ripeness of the watermelon. Such a watermelon must be eaten immediately; cut fruits cannot be stored. But there is one point ... it is not known what kind of instrument is in the hands of the seller, with whom he cut your fetus? See for yourself.
A sliced watermelon can have specific streaks from white to yellowish. This is a sign of the presence of nitrates and pesticide residues. A more accurate analysis of harmful substances is carried out by specialized laboratories. Special instruments for measuring nitrates are also used, but they are quite expensive for everyday use.
В домашних условиях можно проверить ягоду на нитраты, следующим образом. Наливаем в прозрачный стакан воды и растворяем в нем небольшой кусочек арбуза. Вода должна только немного помутнеть и только, чуть окрасится в бледно-розовый цвет. If the same water got too bright a red-pink color, then your watermelon is stuffed with nitrates. We need to think about whether or not to eat it.
The certificate of quality for watermelons should also be
Never hesitate to ask the seller for permission to sell watermelons. You must be sure of the safety of the goods, so as not to become a victim of poisoning and a patient of the toxicological department.
First of all, remember once and for all that the "watermelon" season begins in mid-August and ends in late September. Buying a watermelon earlier this season is a high guarantee for the acquisition of an unripe fruit or a fruit grown on nitrates. In the best case, you will be disappointed with tastelessness, in the worst you will earn poisoning.
Almost every one of us associates summer with juicy velvety, ripe and sweet watermelon. This wonderful fruit will not only bring great pleasure on a hot sultry day, but also fill our body with a huge amount of nutrients. Let the watermelon bring everyone health and healing from ailments.
How to choose a sweet and ripe watermelon - the choice of zavami! Enjoy the taste of such a unique and wholesome fruit
Does watermelon size affect quality?
Let's just say there are many varieties. There are varieties when the weight of a watermelon reaches 20 kg. Therefore, choose a medium watermelon. In this regard, the rule of the golden mean always works.
In most cases, large watermelons are said to be grown using nitrates. But small watermelons are often unripe.
Again, it all depends on the kind of watermelon. If you don’t sort it out, just choose a medium size.
A yellow spot on the side.
This spot is not a sign of ripe watermelon or disease. Just a watermelon lay on the ground with this place and the sun, of course, did not get there.
Yellow spot on a watermelon (large)
From this speck, it is also easy to determine the ripeness of the berry. It should be as yellow as possible.
But buying a watermelon with a white circle on its side, you run the risk of running into a tasteless product.
Spot size also requires attention. Know 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 taste and becomes less juicy.
Damage to watermelon.
Carefulness will help you choose a sweet watermelon. The berry should not have any damage, even small ones:
- cracks
- dents
- incisions
- rotten areas (even very small!).
The fact is that the juicy and nutritious flesh of watermelon is an ideal medium for the propagation of bacteria, which together with air and roadside dust can get in plenty.
Eating watermelon with such a surprise can lead to poisoning and gastrointestinal upset. The same applies to sliced watermelons, so do not try to save money by buying not a whole watermelon, but only half. Such frugality can cost you a lot.
Sometimes we are offered to cut a watermelon to try ripeness. See that the knife is clean from the seller and if you bought such a watermelon, then you need to quickly eat it. You should not keep it for a long time, even in the refrigerator.
Ringing and cracking watermelon.
They constantly say that you need to knock on a watermelon and then you will understand whether it is ripe or not. Yes, only few people remember how a ripe watermelon should actually sound. I’ve guessed on this more than once.
Remember: a ripe and juicy watermelon makes a loud, booming sound, and an unripe one is a muffled one.
Also, a ripe watermelon sounds deaf in which there is already too much moisture and she began to acidify. It is also better to refuse such a purchase. Thus, a loud sound is good, a loud sound is bad.
In addition, to be sure, you can put pressure on the watermelon, squeeze it with your hands, it should crunch a little. Just don’t overdo it, you can crush it))) Light crackling indicates ripe berries.
Watermelon girls are sweeter.
Still watermelons are divided by gender. Such a division has no relation to biology and exists only to simplify the selection process. Indeed, in practice, watermelon girls are more juicy and sweet. There is an assumption that this is due to the characteristics of pollination.
It's easy to choose, look at the spot in the place where the flower used to be:
If the spot is flat and quite large, then this is a girl. In male watermelons, the spot is convex and smaller in size.
Such a watermelon will be sweeter, provided it is ready to eat.
Dry tail - a sign of ripeness or not?
It is believed that when a watermelon, ripening, can no longer take nutrients and moisture, and under its own weight is separated from the bush. In general, the theory is correct, but it turns out that in practice, watermelon can be separated from the paths of nutrition to cutting.
If you still do not want to abandon this method, pay attention to the tip of the tail. Even with a dried stalk, it can be determined whether it was cut off or broken off naturally.
The structure and color of the pulp.
And this can only be determined when you cut the watermelon. But sometimes on the counter you can find half a watermelon wrapped in cling film. By the way, it prevents bacteria from getting inside.
Then of course it is easier to study the goods, but if the watermelon was just opened at home, pay attention to the color, structure of the pulp and the bones themselves.
The color should be pinkish. The scarlet color indicates a large amount of nitrates or that he has oversaturated. In any case, such a berry should not be taken.
The structure should be porous, granular. They also say about such watermelons - sugar.
Also pay attention to the bones, they must be black or dark brown. If they are white or there are a lot of them, then such a watermelon is unripe or there are a lot of nitrates in it.
Important tips when choosing a watermelon.
How to choose a sweet watermelon, ripe and tasty, we talked. In the complex of the above tips, you can easily choose the right berry. But there are also a few points worth knowing about.
Do not buy watermelons from the curb!
Then, instead of enjoying, you can get serious poisoning. There are a lot of harmful substances from cars. Naturally, they fall on a watermelon, and then deeper and then poisoning will result.
It is also worth paying attention to the point of sale and not buying from dubious sellers. Often we hear recommendations that you need to ask for a certificate for watermelons. This is correct and feel free to ask him.
If there is one, read the data indicated in it: the place of collection, the date of harvest, the content of nitrates and other characteristics. Based on them, you can make a final conclusion, choose one or another product from a particular seller or not. If you are offered a photocopy of the certificate, then it should be colored, and the text should be clear.
The right choice of sweet watermelon will help mindfulness, not only to the berry itself, but also to the place of sale.
In the market or in the store, pay attention to the following:
- sunlight does not fall on watermelons (canopy, storehouse),
- removal from the carriageway,
- storage pallets are located at a height of at least 20 cm from the floor or the ground and have no damage,
- availability of a certificate of the Surveillance Service for each consignment of goods for the market,
- availability of the necessary documents for the purchase of goods from verified suppliers.
In addition, to protect children from nitrates or poisoning, the following should be done:
- nitrates accumulate in the peel and near the pulp, so try not to give the flesh to the kids from the middle and do not give the skin,
- Before use, pour boiling water over the watermelon and rinse it well with running water.
- if not difficult, pour into a transparent glass with plain water. Put a piece of pulp there, preferably not from the center of the watermelon. Water should not stain near the pulp, if only a little slightly pinkish in color from the watermelon juice. If there is a lot of colored water around the pulp, it becomes pale itself, then in such a watermelon there are a lot of nitrates.
we check for nitratesSome popular varieties of watermelon.
Choosing a sweet watermelon is not so difficult, but the above methods are common, of course you will not go wrong. But you should know a little about the popular varieties that fall on our tables.
- Kherson watermelons. Sugar Kherson watermelons never grow too large, their weight does not exceed 10 kg. If you are shown a twenty-kilogram giant and claim to be Kherson, do not believe it. It was either of a different variety or grew on nitrates alone. Appearance of watermelons of this variety is classic: bright light stripes, oblong shape, soft pinkish flesh and rather thin peel.
- Astrakhan. As a separate variety, it was bred in 1977 through the efforts of one of the country's leading breeders at that time. This fruit has a spherical or slightly oblong shape. The flesh of the ripened berry is juicy, fragrant, coarse-grained. Her color is bright red. The color of the Astrakhan fruit is green. The drawing on the surface consists of spike-like stripes that have a dark green tint. The average weight varies between 8-10 kg. In the dry season, voids may appear inside the fetus, but they have no effect on taste.
- Crimean Crimson Gloria. Watermelons of this variety can be really big. The weight of one instance can range from 10 to 17 kg on average. In addition, watermelons of this variety can withstand long-term transportation. They are also grown in the south of Russia. In appearance they are reminiscent of Kherson, but differ in thick skin and great weight.
- Hybrid chill. The peculiarity of watermelons of this variety is that they are able to be stored for a very long time, up to the New Year. It is only necessary 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 at the beginning of September, as they are too late.
- Scorik. Watermelons of this variety are early and appear on the shelves among the first. They can be distinguished by a dark green uniform skin color and low weight - not more than 7 kg.
- Photon. It also refers to the early varieties and differs from Skorik only in that it has a light peel with pronounced stripes.
We also suggest watching a useful video on this topic.
Now you know exactly how to choose a sweet watermelon, just be careful. That's all we have, leave your comments below, join us in Odnoklassniki and support us on our channel in Yandex.Zen. Good appetite.
