5 sovetov: kak vybrat spelyi y sladkyi arbuz?

Let’s prepare properly for watermelon season together! Watermelons are beneficial only at a certain time, and at other times they are poison. Indeed, if you choose the wrong time to buy this berry, you will end up not enjoying the incredible, juicy taste of watermelon flesh, but lying in the gastroenterology ward with an exacerbation. What does this depend on, and what should you consider when choosing a watermelon?

The MESTA editorial team has collected the TOP 5 tips that will help you choose a good fruit according to all the criteria: from its growing period to the presence of small spots on its surface. We will also debunk the myths that we have been taught for decades about determining a watermelon’s ripeness.

Do not give in to the temptation of “early” watermelons

Those who enjoy juicy watermelons outdoors start stocking up on them as soon as the swimming season opens, namely as early as the beginning of June. And this is the first mistake many people make.

It is no coincidence that World Watermelon Day is celebrated on August 3. This is because the fruit reaches the final stage of ripening during this month and is ready to be transported to store shelves.

So, let’s take a closer look at the optimal season for buying this large berry.

The month to choose a watermelon

A watermelon’s ripening cycle lasts from 65 to 90 days (depending on the variety). Such fruit is planted in May–June, when the weather allows it to ripen properly under the sun’s rays. Accordingly, it is unreasonable to decide to buy such a berry during this period. Clearly, such produce on store shelves is chemically grown.

If you want to enjoy the juicy, sweet and natural taste of watermelon rather than taste the “periodic table” in berry form, you should wait until the ripening season begins. It starts in early August and lasts until the end of September.

Interesting fact! Watermelon is a healing berry. It contains beneficial trace elements that have a positive effect on the circulatory system and heart, and it also helps normalize digestive processes.

Determining ripeness by appearance: the white spot

A white spot on a watermelon’s rind proves that it ripened naturally. It forms because sunlight did not reach this part of the berry. In other words, its lower part was in contact with the ground throughout the entire ripening cycle.

But its presence is far from an indication of ripeness! Now we need to determine whether this spot is “genuine”:

• size — it should be relatively small; otherwise, this indicates improper cultivation of the fruit;
• color — white or green means the fruit is still sufficiently unripe, while a predominantly yellowish shade means the watermelon has ripened properly.

Important! The structure of a ripe watermelon is quite firm. In other words, you should not be able to press the rind with a fingernail or make a dent in its surface with your finger. If this happens, the fruit is unripe.

Is wateriness bad?

Wateriness is not a sign of juiciness. To avoid buying “liquid in a rind,” you need to know one simple trick — check the white spot. Yes, we are returning to it again.

If the spot is quite large and white, the watermelon will be too watery and not sweet enough. It is better to choose a berry with a smaller, yellowish spot.

Pay attention to the integrity of the rind. If the berry meets all the ripeness criteria but has cracks or clearly visible cuts on its surface, do not choose it. The sufficient juiciness and nutritional value of watermelon flesh create a suitable environment for various bacteria to multiply, and they can enter through cracks. Eating such a “germ-filled” fruit can lead to poisoning.

The condition of the “stem”

At the final stage of ripening, when a watermelon no longer needs a supply of nutrients and moisture, it separates from the plant under its own weight. This theory is correct, but it is overshadowed by the fact that in practice the fruit may be cut off unnaturally. However, even this kind of “cheating” can be detected.

Myth No. 1. You can determine a watermelon’s ripeness by tapping it.

If the stem has ripened naturally, it will be brown and dry; otherwise, it will be sufficiently firm and greenish.

If a watermelon has no stem, it means you have encountered a crafty seller who decided to hide the fact that the product is unripe. In that case, you can only determine ripeness by other criteria.

Nitrates are harmful

Watermelons that reach impressive sizes and weigh around 10-15 kilograms look tempting, but do not be fooled. Such dimensions are achieved by using growth accelerators and stimulants, which promote the accumulation of nitrates in the fruit. These substances have a negative effect on the human body.

The optimal weight of a watermelon ranges from 7 to 10 kilograms.

Myth No. 2. Watermelons can be female or male, and the first option is tastier. In fact, there is only one sex of watermelon — female. Male flowers are merely pollinators that help pollinate the female flower.

Final confirmation of the ripeness and juiciness of the “overgrown berry”

When choosing a watermelon, you have the right to ask the seller to show you the fruit’s “inner world.” What characteristics should the red berry have:

• When cut, the rind should literally burst — this indicates the juiciness and ripeness of the produce.
• When cut open, the flesh should be moderately red or pink, depending on the variety. It should never be bright scarlet — this color distinguishes chemically treated or overripe specimens.
• All the seeds should be black, although a few white ones are acceptable.
• The rind should be thin.

But if the watermelon has a red hue while most of its seeds are white, the berry was regularly treated with various growth enhancers, and you should not choose such a fruit.

Let’s sum up

To determine a watermelon’s ripeness and sweetness accurately, pay attention to natural spots, the integrity of the rind, the fruit’s size and weight, the color of the flesh, and the absence of white seeds.

If you follow these tips from the MESTA editorial team, you will certainly choose the “right” berry according to the relevant criteria.