How to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon? Buyer's advice.
The peak of sales of watermelons, which have grown and matured in natural conditions, falls on the end of summer (August) and the beginning of autumn (September). Traders selling watermelons in the first summer months explain their appearance by the early ripeness of varieties, although such watermelons in natural conditions ripen no earlier than the end of the month of July, and then provided that the temperature in both summer months was consistently high. The appearance of "mature" watermelons in earlier and inappropriate periods indicates that they were subjected to abundant "nutrition" with the addition of trace elements, nitrogen fertilizers, or were injected with potassium permanganate, which gives the watermelon pulp a more "natural" red hue.
ripe and sweet watermelonThe main criteria to be considered when choosing a watermelon:
size and weight;
watermelon tail;
lateral spot;
color;
watermelon rind;
sound.
Here are 7 main selection criteria, although there are others that are not very reliable and depend on various reasons. Let's analyze each criterion separately:
Weight and size of watermelon
When choosing a watermelon, avoid both very small and huge fruits. The optimal weight is from 5 to 7 kg. A very large weight may indicate that in comparison with other, smaller watermelons, the giant "went over" with fertilizers. But keep in mind also that berries that have an equal degree of ripeness should not have large differences in size.
Examining a watermelon tail
By the look of the tail, one can judge the degree of ripeness of the watermelon (although some sellers specifically remove them completely). The presence of a very dry tail suggests that the watermelon left the melon for a long time. Although he could dry up and "on the way", after he was specially cut off from the lash. It is necessary to carefully consider the transition of the tail to the watermelon. The transition is similar to a button, from which the tail grows, so not only it, but also the borders of the button must be dry. A moderately dry tail is considered the best, and wet and green is most often an indicator of immaturity.
Considering the side spot
A spot on the watermelon appears where the berry touched the ground. Its presence means that the fruit ripened directly on the melon. The spot should be either deep yellow or dark orange, which is even better, but not white!
Watermelon color
watermelon tailStripes should be clearly visible on the watermelon - light and darker, almost black, the intensity of the color of which confirms that the watermelon had the right amount of nutrients, sufficient lighting and a good metabolism. After ripening, the fruit, first of all, detached from the melon, the tail dried itself, and was not simply torn off during collection. Chlorophyll, as unnecessary, ceases to be produced, and light stripes appear (the effect of light affects).
Determining the "gender" of a watermelon
Probably everyone knows that by the watermelon bottom they determine whether it is a fetus, a girl or a boy. The best taste is in female fruits, which have a flatter bottom and a wider circle. Male fruits have a small circle and a more convex bottom.
Evaluating the watermelon rind
When feeling the watermelon rind should be quite tough, since the watermelon, which has come off the lash without assistance, hardens very soon without the presence of moisture. Such a watermelon cannot be pierced with a nail. If the watermelon rind is wet, has a brownish tint, it means that you have an overripe fruit in your hands.
Listening to the sound
A ripe watermelon, thanks to the smallest voids in the pulp, should resonate. Check this with a spank, not a snap of your fingers. The watermelon is held on the left palm, with the right palm ricochet slapped from bottom to top and top to bottom on the watermelon side. The "correct" watermelon will be given to the left palm.
Signs that don't always work
You can take the fruit, put it to your ear and try to squeeze it as hard as possible. A good watermelon will crackle. Why doesn't this method always work? Simply because if the delivery and transportation was quite long, good watermelons have weakening and loosening of the insides and almost all good fruits will not crack. But watermelons, which are very far from ideal, will begin to crackle.
Another sign: if the watermelon is ripe, it does not sink in water, and the green sinks to the bottom. You can check, because before eating, the fruit needs to be thoroughly washed. Try dipping it in a tub of water. This is explained by the fact that the specific gravity of a mature watermelon shifts to the lower side. Why doesn't this feature work? Due to the inability to check the watermelon before purchasing. But still remember - the lighter and larger the watermelon is, the better.
What are the dangers associated with watermelon?
When growing fruits with the help of nitrates, the latter, penetrating into the human body, turn into nitrites - substances that are very harmful and dangerous to human health. Improper transportation, storage and non-compliance with the rules during trade can lead to the unsuitability of a watermelon.
Never buy watermelons that are sold along highways, because the watermelon rind absorbs all dangerous substances no worse than a sponge. Very often those fruits are sold along the roads, which were not allowed to be sold by workers of trade and sanitary inspections.
Never buy sliced watermelon from sellers, do not require slicing it before buying, even if you want to make sure it is ripe. You don't think the seller will cut him with a sterile knife, do you? And together with the incision, a huge number of bacteria will penetrate into the fruit, for which the watermelon pulp is a wonderful place where they will multiply. For the same reason, do not purchase cracked, wrinkled, or scratched watermelons.
To trade in watermelons, the following conditions are required:
a special stall (equipped) is needed, which has a canopy and a protective shield;
the stall must be at least 5 meters from the track;
watermelons should be placed on a deck that is at least 20 cm above the ground.
How can you check a watermelon if you have already purchased it, but the quality still raises concerns?
Watermelon fruits can be either not quite ripe, or they have received stimulation with nitrates or other nitrogen fertilizers. Fruits stuffed with "chemistry" cannot be stored for a long time, because softened rounded areas with a darker color appear on the crust.
You can put a piece of pulp in a glass of water and grind. Water with a good watermelon will only become cloudy, and with a bad one it will change color to pink or red.
In "clean" watermelons, the flesh fibers running from the middle to the rind are white. The dangerous ones have yellow fibers, and the pulp has a bright red color with a touch of purple.
After cutting the watermelon, take a good look at the cut. A good watermelon has a gritty cut, and a bad one is smooth.
The color of the seeds of a watermelon with nitrates is white.
A sign of danger is the presence of yellow lumps in the watermelon pulp, because directly in these lumps, nitrates are contained in very large quantities.
The initial symptoms of nitrate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, extreme fatigue, and nausea. Fruits and vegetables with a high content of nitrates are very dangerous for nursing mothers and babies under the age of one year, because mechanisms against nitrates appear in children only by the age of one year, and breast milk is not an obstacle for nitrates.
If the poisoning does happen, you need to drink as much water as possible, with the addition of special drugs that restore not only the lost fluid, but also salt. Such drugs include: enterodesis, rehydron and gastrolitis. Also, medications are needed that have a sorbing effect, i.e. attract, and then remove from the body, hazardous substances - polyphepam, smectite or enterosgel. If you have abdominal pain, you need to take medications that will relieve intestinal cramps - papaverine or no-shpu.
Do not use analgesics (pain relievers), for example, analgin! And the most correct thing is to seek help from a doctor.
How long is a watermelon stored?
The watermelon you bought can stay in the refrigerator for 14 days in its entirety. A cut watermelon can be stored for no more than 3 or 4 days.
It is not recommended to store the cut watermelon without a refrigerator!