How to choose a ripe watermelon? How to choose a ripe watermelon.

Greetings, our dear readers. The heat is unbelievable this year. This is bad for some, good for others, but they say watermelons will be very sweet. Let's find out how to choose a sweet watermelon that is truly ripe and preferably harmless.

To begin with, I only learned how to choose watermelons last year, I think. Too bad it's just the end of the season. Well, this year I never made a mistake and chose the right one. So the technique works and I share them with you.

In fact, a lot of things can be found on the Internet about how to identify a ripe watermelon. But they don't always work. Of course, it is easier for those who grow these watermelons in the region. I think it's always sweet. But what about those who live in Siberia, like ourselves, or in the Far East?

If, for example, watermelons appear in the Kuban already in June, and even sweet ones, then in Siberia and further north, they appear at the end of July, then August and in September you can still buy.

Only those that appear in July, we don’t buy the very first ones at all. There are either no ripe ones, or there are so many nitrates that the hair just stands on end on the arms. We will also tell you how to distinguish a natural watermelon, stay with us until the end.

Sale season.

This is where I look first. We will never take watermelons before mid-August. The fact is that choosing a sweet watermelon earlier is almost impossible. Only from mid-August you can buy sweet berries.

Watermelon Selection Methods

By this time, they manage to gain the sun and all the vitamins. Those that appear earlier are either immature and bland, or full of nitrates.

But there are precocious varieties, you say. Yes, there are, but it takes time to transport them, also consider. This will depend on the type of watermelon. For example, this year I was on vacation in June in the Kuban. At the end of June, an early ripening variety was bought there. Just a meal. Sweet and very ripe.

The appearance of the crust.

Choosing a sweet watermelon is easy enough by looking at the appearance of the berry.

Here A few key features of a delicious watermelon:

• the stripes forming the pattern must be clear;
• the peel is glossy;
• the crust is hard, it is impossible to damage it 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 watermelon with more space between the stripes, as they are considered to be sweeter.

Does the size of the watermelon affect the 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 type of watermelon. If you do not understand the varieties, just choose a medium size.

Yellow spot on the side.

This spot is not a sign of unripe watermelon or disease. Just a watermelon lay in this place on the ground and the sun, of course, did not get there.

Yellow spot on watermelon (large)

It is also easy to determine the ripeness of the berry by this speck. 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.

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.

Watermelon damage.

Mindfulness will help you choose a sweet watermelon. The berry should not have any damage, even small ones:

• cracks;
• dents;
• incisions;
• rotted areas (even very small ones!).

The fact is that the juicy and nutritious pulp of a watermelon is an ideal breeding ground for 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 do not try to save money by buying not a whole watermelon, but only a half. Such frugality can cost you dearly.

Sometimes we are offered to cut a watermelon to taste the ripeness. See that the knife is clean from the seller and if you bought such a watermelon, then you need to eat it quickly. Do not keep it for a long time, even in the refrigerator.

The ringing and crackling of 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 guessed this myself more than once.

Remember: a ripe and juicy watermelon makes a sonorous, booming sound, and an unripe watermelon makes a deaf 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 deaf 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. Yes, just do not overdo it, you can crush it))) A slight crackle indicates the ripeness of the berry.

Watermelon girls are sweeter.

choose the "gender" of the watermelon

Watermelons are also divided by gender. This division has nothing to do with biology and exists only to simplify the selection process. Indeed, watermelons-girls in practice turn out to be more juicy and sweet. There is an assumption that this is due to the characteristics of pollination.

Choosing is quite simple, look at the speck, in the place where the flower once was:

If the spot is flat and rather large, then it 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.

Is a dry tail a sign of ripeness or not?

It is believed that when a watermelon, ripening, 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 turns out that in practice the watermelon can be separated from the food paths before being cut.

The tail dries out in 3 days, so a green watermelon with a dry tail may well lie on the counter.

If you still do not want to give up this method, pay attention to the tip of the tail. Even with a dried stalk, you can determine whether it was cut 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 a half of a watermelon wrapped in cling film. By the way, it does not allow bacteria to get inside.

Then, of course, it is easier to study the product, but even if you just opened a watermelon at home, still pay attention to the color, structure of the pulp and the bones themselves.

The color should be pinkish. The scarlet color signals a large amount of nitrates or that he has overripe. In any case, such a berry should not be taken.

The structure should be porous, granular. They also talk about such watermelons - sugar.

Also pay attention to the bones, they should be black or dark brown. If they are white or there are a lot of them, then such a watermelon is not ripe or it has a lot of nitrates.

How to choose a sweet watermelon, ripe and delicious, we talked. In the complex of the above tips, you can easily choose the right berry. But there are also a few other things to be aware of.

Don't buy watermelons from the curb!

Then, instead of pleasure, you can get serious poisoning. There are a lot of harmful substances from cars. Naturally, they fall on the watermelon, and they are deeper and then poisoning will result.

It is also worth paying attention to the point of sale and not buying from dubious sellers. Not infrequently, we hear recommendations that you need to ask for a certificate for watermelons. This is correct and feel free to ask him.

If it is, read the data indicated in it: the place of collection, the harvest time, the content of nitrates and other characteristics. Based on them, you will be able to make a final conclusion whether to choose one or another product from a particular seller or not. If you are offered a photocopy of the certificate, then it must be in color, and the text must be clear.

Choosing the right sweet watermelon will help attentiveness, but not only to the berry itself, but also to the place of sale.

In the market or shop, pay attention to the following:

• sunlight does not fall on watermelons (canopy, shop premises);
• removal from the roadway;
• storage pallets are located at a height of at least 20 cm from the floor or the ground and do not show any damage;
• availability of a certificate of the Epidemiological Surveillance Service for each consignment of goods for the market;
• availability of the necessary documents for the purchase of goods from trusted suppliers.

In addition, to protect children from nitrates or poisoning, the following should be done:

• nitrates accumulate in the peel and the pulp next to it, so do not try to give the kids the pulp 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 plain water into a transparent glass. Put a piece of pulp there, preferably not from the center of the watermelon. The water should not be colored near the pulp, if only a little pinkish from the watermelon juice. If there is a lot of colored water around the pulp, it itself becomes pale, then there are a lot of nitrates in such a watermelon.

check for nitrates

Some popular varieties of watermelons.

Choosing a sweet watermelon is not so difficult, but the above methods are common, of course you can’t go wrong. But it is worth knowing a little about the popular varieties that fall on our tables.

1. Watermelons Kherson. Kherson sugar watermelons never grow too large, their weight does not exceed 10 kg. If you are shown a twenty-kilogram giant and they say that he is from Kherson, do not believe it. It is either of a different variety, or grew on some nitrates. The appearance of watermelons of this variety is classic: bright light stripes, an oblong shape, soft pinkish flesh and a rather thin peel.
2. 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 pulp of a ripe berry is juicy, fragrant, coarse-grained. Its color is bright red. The color of the Astrakhan fruit is green. The pattern 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 fruit, but they do not have any effect on the taste.
   
3. Crimean Crimson Gloria. Watermelons of this variety can be really big. The weight of one copy on average can vary from 10 to 17 kg. In addition, watermelons of this variety are able to withstand long-term transportation. They are also grown in the south of Russia. In appearance, they resemble Kherson ones, but they are distinguished by a thick skin and a large weight.
4. hybrid chill. The peculiarity of watermelons of this variety is that they can be stored for a very long time, until 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 in early September, as they ripen late.
5. Skorik. Watermelons of this variety are early and appear on the shelves among the first. You can distinguish them by the dark green uniform color of the skin and low weight - no more than 7 kg.
6. Photon. It also applies to early varieties and differs from Skorik only in that it has a light skin with pronounced stripes.

We also offer you to watch a useful video on this topic.

Now you know exactly how to choose a sweet watermelon, just be careful. And that's all we have, leave your comments below, join us in Odnoklassniki and support us on our channel Yandex.Zen. Enjoy your meal.

How to choose the right sweet watermelon - proven methods. updated: August 10, 2018 by: Subbotin Pavel

Watermelon attracts not only taste. It is rich in easily digestible sugars, mainly fructose, trace elements (magnesium, potassium, etc.), pectin substances. IN watermelon a lot of folic acid - 150 g of fruit is enough to meet the daily requirement for this vitamin. Distinctive property watermelon is its low calorie content: 100 g of the edible part of the fruit contains only 27 kilocalories. The pulp of a unique berry quenches thirst well. In the heat, we lose with sweat not only water, but also a number of trace elements, so it is valuable that watermelon, unlike many drinks, compensates for our losses in both liquid and trace elements, increases the body's resistance to hot weather. Availability in watermelon a large amount of fiber helps the proper functioning of the intestines, improves digestion. Fiber in watermelon delicate, so it works very delicately. And one more useful substance provides us watermelon. We are talking about lycopene - a natural antioxidant, a representative of a large group of substances that are mainly found in plant products and are known for their antitumor effect. Good watermelon- a valuable dietary product that can be recommended to people of any age. It is a diuretic and choleretic agent, has a healing effect in diseases of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys and urinary tract. Delicate fiber and low acidity allows you to use watermelons those who suffer from gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa), gastroduodenitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum).

Where do bad watermelons come from?

Recently, relations with watermelon have changed somewhat. This concern, it must be said, is not unfounded. Do watermelon Incorrect storage conditions and violation of trade rules can also be hazardous to health. Experts say roadside traffic should be the first to be feared watermelon collapses, where substandard goods or goods rejected by trade and sanitary inspectors flow. According to the rules, roadside trade in gourds is generally prohibited, and goods from such points must be withdrawn. A few hours are enough to watermelons absorbed heavy metals contained in automobile exhausts. According to the rules, the place of trade should be fenced, under a canopy. Watermelons must be laid out on product trays, and not piled on the ground. In carelessly sketched watermelons dirt and pathogens can penetrate through microcracks. The seller must have permission from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station (SES) to trade and a medical book. Finally, a certificate of conformity of the goods being sold to the requirements of the standard is required. After reviewing the certificate, you can verify the origin watermelon. In addition, the certificate controls the content of mineral fertilizers, the amount of radiation, heavy metals, etc. If a photocopy is made from the certificate, then you should pay attention to the seal, which must be in color. If the seal is black, the certificate is fake.

No windows, no doors. Full of nitrates

Watermelon, like all melons, is a very grateful plant. Under certain conditions, in one season, you can manage to harvest more than one crop of these berries. But "intensive" farming, the desire to achieve a quick harvest, the largest possible fruits, as well as violations of the rules of transportation, storage and trade, turn the dietary product into a source of trouble. To watermelon matured faster and gained weight, craftsmen overfeed him with fertilizers, mainly nitrogen - nitrates (salts of nitric acid: sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium nitrate). The introduction of nitrates into the soil is accompanied by their accumulation in the pulp of the plant. Both the lack of sun and the abundance of moisture contribute to the accumulation of nitrates. Nitrates themselves are not very toxic, but they are precursors of N-nitroso compounds that have the ability to cause cancer and nitrites. The conversion of nitrates to nitrites occurs in the gastrointestinal tract with the participation of microflora. Some more of them enters the body in finished form: some of the nitrates are already in watermelon converted to nitrite, aided by high humidity. With an increase in storage time, the content of nitrites in watermelon increases several times. Nitrites, unlike nitrates, are toxic compounds. They disrupt the transport function of the blood, affecting hemoglobin - the oxygen carrier to tissues. Hypoxia occurs - oxygen starvation of tissues, which is especially difficult for children, as well as those who suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory systems.

The purity of watermelon is the key to health

Often the cause of unpleasant consequences from eating watermelons we are on our own. On the peel watermelon particles of soil, dust, various microorganisms are preserved, so a poorly washed fruit can cause an intestinal infection. Should not buy watermelons with a damaged crust or already cut. Bacteria multiply rapidly on the sweet surface of a damaged fruit in the presence of air (even a small wound is enough), and when such food is eaten watermelon possible occurrence of gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, often watermelon not eaten immediately and kept cut at room temperature. Under these conditions, microorganisms also begin to multiply on the surface of the fruit.

Trouble from watermelon

Unfortunately, today no one can guarantee good quality watermelon 100 percent, except when you personally raised it. Since the consequences of eating a poor-quality product are very serious, you should not offer it to children under 2 years of age. The younger the child, the less protected his body from adverse effects - microbes, nitrates, toxins, the more severe the consequences can be. Older children watermelon it is desirable to offer during its natural ripening - at the end of August, in the fall. By this date watermelons already ripen without fertilizers, and their taste during this period is much higher. For a baby 2-3 years old, 80-100 g is enough watermelon, for a child 3-6 years old - 100-150 g. watermelon may cause gastrointestinal disturbances. The time of their appearance ranges from 1-2 hours to 1-2 days after the use of the product. The younger the child, the earlier they can occur. External manifestations of disorders: weakness, lethargy, headache, fever, paroxysmal pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, stool disorder, which can lead to dehydration. Depending on the amount of a harmful agent that has entered the body, on age and individual resistance, the disease can occur in different forms. In a mild form, weakness, lethargy, nausea, 1-2 times vomiting and (or) 1-2 times liquefied stools are observed. Severe disorders in the functioning of organs and systems are accompanied by pronounced weakness, headache, high fever, repeated vomiting and liquefied stools, leading to dehydration. Before the doctor arrives, the child needs to be helped. The main goal is to give the baby as much water as possible and thereby reduce the manifestations of the disease. Frequent fractional drinking is necessary. When vomiting, the child is drunk with a teaspoon and even a pipette. It is better to add REHYDRON, GASTROLIT, ENTERODES to the drink - specialized compounds for restoring losses not only of liquid, but also of salts. Medicines are used that can attract harmful substances to themselves and remove them from the body (sorbents) - SMECTA, ENTEROSGEL, POLYFEPAM. For pain in the abdomen, it is necessary to give drugs that relieve intestinal spasm - NO-SHPU, PAPAVERIN, but in no case painkillers (analgesics), such as analgin. It should be remembered that under the mask of poisoning, surgical pathology can often lurk, for example appendicitis - inflammation of the appendix. Taking analgesics can mask the signs of appendicitis, while the pathological process will develop gradually. An untimely diagnosis threatens with severe complications and can be costly to the health of the child. The pediatrician after a qualified examination will prescribe the necessary therapy. In severe cases, the child may need systematic medical supervision and assistance in a hospital setting.

So how is it? You haven't stopped loving yet watermelons? Well, that's right. And to avoid the troubles caused by their use, heed the advice of a specialist.

1. Before you cut watermelon do not forget to wash it thoroughly with warm water and soap.
2. Cut watermelon store only in the refrigerator.
3. In different parts of the plant, nitrates accumulate unevenly. Research shows that in watermelons the most poisonous flesh is at the peel about 3 cm thick, so it is better for the child to offer the part that is closer to the core.
4. When enjoying your favorite product, know the measure. Balance the amount watermelon and the age of the child.

Watermelon is a valuable and tasty product that can bring real pleasure. But only if it is properly grown, properly stored, properly sold and properly eaten.

How to store watermelon

Watermelons can be kept fresh for a long time. With proper storage, it can decorate the table not only for the New Year, but even on March 8th. To do this, you should buy in the fall watermelon weighing no more than 4 kg with a dry tail. It is desirable that the yellow spot on the side be as small as possible. Wash, dry, place watermelon into a net and hang it in a dark, cool place, preferably in a cellar, at a temperature not higher than +5 C so that it does not touch anything. You can, of course, get by with a dark closet in the apartment, but in this case watermelon can only last until the end of the year.

How to choose watermelon. Learning to choose watermelons!

1. To watermelon brought joy and pleasure, we must remember: the best time to buy watermelon in Russia it is the end of summer and autumn.
2. Watermelon should be purchased in places specially designed for trade, in stores, and not in spontaneous markets.
3. From watermelons one variety and one batch is better to choose watermelon large, but not gigantic. The bigger and lighter watermelon, the riper it is. When choosing watermelons too small and too large should be avoided.
4. A dry tail is a sign of ripeness. ripened, watermelon First of all, he “disconnects” from melons - his tail dries up. Then, the pigment chlorophyll, which is no longer necessary for him, ceases to be produced, trapping sunlight and providing respiration and development of plants, and light spots appear under the action of light. This is a sure sign that watermelon ripe.
5. A light spot on the side that has lain down watermelon should be as yellow as possible, even orange.
6. The striped crust should be as contrasting as possible.
7. Ripe watermelon necessarily covered with a hard shiny crust, which is difficult to pierce with a fingernail, and all because, having "torn" with melons, watermelon is no longer able to absorb moisture and its crust hardens. But if the nail pierces easily watermelon skin - means the fruit is raw, immature. You can also rub the crust and smell it: the smell of freshly cut grass also speaks of substandardness.
8. Ripe watermelon always springy under impact and sometimes resonates when slapped. If you knock on it, you hear not a deaf, but a clear, sonorous sound.
9. Can be applied watermelon to your ear and squeeze it with your hands with all your might. In a ripe berry, the peel will bend a little and crackle.
10. . To check watermelon for ripeness, they throw it into the water, it will float up - it means ripe.
11. Watermelon is a bisexual berry. In the "male" individual, the bottom of the berry is convex, and the circle on it is small. For "girls" the bottom is flatter, and the circle is wide. "Girls" are considered tastier: they have fewer bones, and more sugar.

SOS signals. Nitrate watermelon.

If watermelon"overfed" with nitrates, he himself signals this to us, demonstrating the following signs:

• intense red color of the pulp with a slight purple tint;
• the fibers that go from the core to the crust are not white, as expected, but with all shades of yellow;
• at the "wrong" watermelon and the cut surface is smooth, glossy, and in the "correct" watermelon she sparkles with grains;
• Rub a piece of watermelon pulp into a glass of water. If watermelon good, the water just gets cloudy. If watermelon"harmful", the water will turn red or pink.

In early products, nitrates usually contain more than in late summer or autumn. Although it depends not only on the season, but also on watering and growing conditions. Permissible norm of nitrates in watermelons- 60 mg per 1 kg.

Exhausting from the summer heat, you really want to quench your thirst with something fresh and tasty. As well as possible, watermelon is suitable for these purposes. A large berry beckons with crumbly pulp full of vitamins.

Alas, in recent years there has been a tendency to reduce the quality of this product. And an unpleasant surprise may be unripe pulp. How not to bring home a "pig in a poke"? In this article, we will look at all the tricks that answer the most important question for the buyer - how to choose a watermelon. Tips will help you buy the safest, most ripe berry, which will certainly cheer you up, while bringing a lot of benefits.

Benefit and harm

Before you make a purchase, get acquainted with the fetus. The most delicious and ripe pumpkins contain the following substances:

• vitamins;
• organic acids;
• trace elements;
• cellulose;
• pectin;
• lycopene;
• easily digestible carbohydrates.

Low calorie content - 27 kcal per 100 grams of product - allows you to use the fruit in therapeutic diets. The tidbits are used in vegetarian cuisine. Useful substances will help to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, replenish the water-salt balance, strengthen the immune system, remove toxins, toxins, and cholesterol from the body.

Sweet pulp can be consumed even by diabetics.

risk factor

Unfortunately, manufacturers often use hazardous chemicals for cultivation, and traders do not follow the rules for transporting, storing, and selling goods. In pursuit of money, they do not think about the end consumer. In order not to fall into the trap, you should know how to choose the right watermelon.

seasonality

Looking at the vegetable shelves in the supermarket, it is so easy to be tempted to buy summer fruits in the uncharacteristic season for them. The first thing to remember before choosing a watermelon is the seasonality of a heat-loving crop.

Meanwhile, melon ripens in mid-August. By making a purchase before this time, you risk not only acquiring unripe fruits, but also getting serious poisoning. Producers are trying to harvest early, hitting the jackpot on the first wave of sales. For these purposes, the berry is plentifully pumped, processed with chemicals for long-term storage of goods. The sooner you give in to the temptation, the higher the risk of chemical poisoning.

Mass ripening of melons begins in mid-August and continues until the end of September. This time period is the best time to buy sweet watermelon without unnecessary chemicals.

Market vs Supermarket - Trading Rules

Choosing a watermelon is not an easy task. Where is it better to buy sweet melons - in the market or in the supermarket? The answer to this question lies in the seller's compliance with the rules of trade.

You should buy berries in places specially designated for sale - in the market or in a closed pavilion. Most supermarkets carefully monitor compliance with trade rules, requiring relevant documents from suppliers.

You can purchase goods on the market if the following trading rules are met:

1. the presence of a canopy from the sun and rain;
2. distance from the roadway;
3. availability of documents for each consignment of goods;
4. the presence of a pallet with a height of 15-20 cm.

Trade in melons from the ground is a violation of the law.

Where you can not buy melon

Making a purchase in a spontaneous market or from a car by the road is not a good idea. The fruit easily absorbs harmful substances from the environment. The slightest microcrack in the peel and the pulp will become a nutrient substrate for the reproduction of microbes. A watermelon that has been lying on a counter by the side of the road will easily absorb heavy metals from exhaust gases.

Which fruit is better to refuse completely

Supermarkets are also fraught with danger. Often, cut fruits are sold in a closed trading area; in the market, you are unlikely to succumb to the temptation to try a piece of juicy pulp. And the ostentatious cleanliness of the store can lure the buyer into a trap. The risk of acquiring an unripe watermelon is reduced, but there is an opportunity to catch an intestinal infection.

Never buy a cut fruit.

It is not known why the berry was cut. She may have started to deteriorate. If dirty tools were used during the cutting process or the fetus was not washed, pathogenic bacteria probably got inside. To prevent the pulp from getting dirty, sellers pack it in cling film. Such material will only contribute to the rate of reproduction of microorganisms.

Submit your documents!

Before choosing a watermelon at a retail outlet, ask the seller about the availability of documents. By law, each product is subject to mandatory or voluntary certification. Merchants must have a certificate of conformity for each batch of melons.

This document contains the following information:

1. importer;
2. the country in which the culture was grown;
3. harvest date;
4. compliance with quality standards (content of harmful substances);
5. the period of sale of the goods.

The presence of a blue seal is a guarantee of the quality of the goods.

If the seller does not present the relevant document, it is better to refrain from buying.

Folk omens

Folk signs will help you choose a ripe watermelon. People have long learned to determine the degree of maturity of the fetus by characteristic features. An experienced buyer pays attention to the following parameters:

• the presence of damage;
• peel exterior;
• sounds made during tapping and compression;
• the size of the earth spot;
• the degree of drying of the "tail";
• the weight of the goods.

It is better to rely not on specific signs, but on their totality.

Crust Characteristics

Determining the ripeness of a watermelon by external signs includes a thorough examination of the shell. On the peel there should be no dents, cracks, visible signs of damage. Even tiny cracks will become "gates" for the bacterial flora. Microorganisms will cause fermentation, spoilage of the pulp.

If the cut fruit has a sour smell, stop eating it.

The appearance of the crust will help you choose the right ripe watermelon. It hardens after the whip dries up, because the water stops flowing through the "umbilical cord". If the peel is easily injured by nails or smells like cut grass, you have an unripe fruit in front of you.

peel exterior

When choosing a watermelon, pay attention to the color scheme of the peel. The shell of a mature berry is glossy. The exterior of the peel is of considerable importance - the brighter the contrast between the stripes and the background, the higher the chance of acquiring a ripe melon. Small light spots are welcome, evenly scattered on the surface of the crust.

The presence of an earth stain

In the process of maturation, the "minke whale" constantly lies on one side. The place of contact of culture with the soil is called an earthen spot.

It is colored yellow or light orange. Its diameter is 5-10 cm. This section of the bark must correspond to the parameters described above, that is, it must not have dents, cracks, or signs of damage. The absence of stripes indicates that melons did not move during maturation. A white earthen spot indicates the immaturity of the fetus.

How to check the degree of maturity by the state of the stalk?

A ripe watermelon must have a tail. Through it, the culture received nutrition throughout the entire growing season. After maturation, the lashes dry out. If the stalk is green, full formation has not yet occurred.

A dry tail is also present in a long-harvested berry, so you should not rely entirely on this sign.

A yellowish and dry stalk indicates that you have a juicy, sweet watermelon in front of you.

Knock-knock who lives under the crust?

Perhaps the most popular way to choose a treat is to tap the shell. Experienced buyers competently listen to the "musicality" of the fetus. To choose a delicious watermelon by sound, just a couple of nuances will help you:

1. a ripe berry will respond to tapping with a ringing sound;
2. when the poles are compressed, a mature pumpkin makes a characteristic crack, bends a little.

Girls and boys

Determining the gender of melons is a favorite factor of choice among buyers. Watermelons are not divided into "boys" and "girls" - this berry is same-sex. But, according to a folk myth, in order to choose the most delicious specimen, you must adhere to the following rules:

"Boys" have a bulging ass with a tiny circle. They are more watery and contain less sugar. The bones of males are black, there are quite a lot of them. The "boy" is slightly elongated relative to the vertical axis.

The female sex is more compact, rounder, sweeter, has fewer bones. In addition to the shape, pay attention to the structure of the ass - in the watermelon "girl" it is flatter with a large circle.

Weight category

Some varieties amaze with a large mass - it sometimes reaches 18-20 kg! It is difficult to deny yourself the pleasure of eating to satiety, so among the "giants" try to choose individuals with less weight.

And it’s better not to get carried away and follow the rule of the “golden mean” - let an instance with a mass of 5-7 kg become your chosen one.

Safety first

Buyers have long heard about. Watermelons are fed with nitrogen to accelerate growth and ripening, so you need to choose the right specimens with a minimum of dangerous chemistry.

Unfortunately, it is possible to determine the presence of chemistry only in a cut berry. Try to refrain from eating the pulp if you find the following factors:

• the pulp contains a large percentage of yellow or white elastic fibers;
• lilac tones are a dangerous sign;
• the cut surface does not crumble with grains, the cut is smooth with a glossy sheen.

Sometimes a purchased watermelon has red flesh, and the berry itself is not sweet. This can be both a natural process and indicate the presence of chemistry. When ripe, sugars accumulate exclusively under the action of sunlight. Cloudy, damp, cold weather could affect the natural process of carbohydrate accumulation. For the same reason, voids are sometimes hidden under the crust.

Knowing how to choose the right watermelon, you can not worry about the quality and safety of the purchased product. Let the advice of experienced buyers help you make the right choice, enjoy the juicy pulp of a tasty and healthy berry.

Summer is in full swing! Vegetables and, of course, gourds appear on the shelves. If you dream of a striped berry, but are afraid of making a bad choice, be sure to read our recommendations. Then the most delicious and ripe watermelon will definitely be yours!

Let's start with the good news. More than 1,500 tons of gourds in the Astrakhan region have matured naturally. Because of the extreme heat, the harvest began earlier than usual.

So, you came for a watermelon. First of all, do not rely on the advice and suggestions of sellers, but carefully inspect the goods. The best proof of quality is a certificate of conformity of the goods to the requirements of the standard. Each seller must have it on hand. If the document has all the signatures and seals, you can safely buy. However, in practice, we know that most merchants do not have a certificate or refuse to show it. Then our advice and your attentiveness will come to the rescue.

1) The watermelon peel should not have a matte coating, the striped pattern should be clear and contrasting.

2) The watermelon itself should not lie on the ground or asphalt in the open sun. An ideal place for selling watermelons is a tent well sheltered from the sun with pallets for berries and stationary scales. Watermelons should be located at least 15 cm above the ground.

3) In no case do not take berries near the highway! A plucked watermelon "breathes", which means it absorbs road dust and gases.

4) A quality fruit should have a yellow spot, which indicates that this place the watermelon was in contact with the ground and ripened on melons under the sun.

5) Contrary to popular belief, never go for a dry tail, this means that the watermelon has survived long storage.

6) No need to ask to cut a watermelon to determine its ripeness. By doing this, you open a corridor for microbes that multiply rapidly in the heat.

7) Be guided by weight: a ripe watermelon should be heavy, overripe watermelons are usually much lighter.

8) Don't try to buy a giant watermelon that will feed your family and two neighbors. Give preference to a medium-sized berry, as a rule, it is the most ripe.

9) Pay attention to the crust of the striped berry. It should be firm and shiny, because the ripened fruit stops absorbing water and the crust hardens. Pry the crust with your fingernail: if the peel is easy to pierce, then you should not buy a watermelon.

10) Watermelon can be "girl" or "boy". The gender of the minke whale is easy to determine: the “male” berry has a convex bottom opposite the tail and a small circle on it. The "girls", on the contrary, have a flat bottom and a wide circle on it. It is believed that “girls” watermelons are tastier, as they contain fewer seeds and more sweetness.

11) When purchasing an early watermelon, it should be borne in mind that it may contain nitrates. It is almost impossible to check the berry for the presence of harmful substances when buying, but at home before eating, you can do a little research. Rub a piece of watermelon pulp into the water. If the watermelon is of high quality, then the water is simply cloudier. Otherwise, the water will turn red or pink. If you still have suspicions that your watermelon is “wrong”, eat it carefully, not reaching the white border with the crust. This is where the highest amount of nitrates is found. Therefore, it is better for children to feed the pulp from the middle.

12) And finally, do not neglect the well-known method of checking a watermelon. Tap on the berry you like! If the watermelon is ripe early, you will hear a dull sound. If you buy a watermelon at the end of the season, a ringing sound should be heard.

13) If you put all our tips into practice, congratulations. Having brought home a sweet and ripe watermelon, remember the rules for storing it. Before use, be sure to wash the watermelon with soap and a washcloth to clean the crust from dirt and dust.

14) An untouched watermelon can stay fresh for three months, but a cut berry can be stored for no longer than three days. It is better to store it in a dark, cool place like a cellar or refrigerator.

15) When you store a half-eaten watermelon, place it cut-side down on a plate and wrap it in cling film on top so it stays fresh longer.

According to the content of folic acid, which regulates the balance of chemical processes and affects the processes of blood formation, this tasty pumpkin is the leader among other fruits, vegetables and berries. And watermelon is also rich in iron - only spinach and lettuce contain more of it, so it is recommended to eat it to prevent anemia. Fructose provides a feeling of fullness, fiber removes cholesterol, and pectin normalizes digestion. Until recently, watermelon was considered a berry. However, watermelon is currently classified in the gourd family. But many know it as a berry.

Trace elements (potassium and magnesium) affect intracellular conductivity, help with edema and hypertension. There is also a small amount of vitamins B1, B2, PP and C in watermelon. The list of diseases in which the use of watermelons is indicated is significant.

When to buy watermelon

Since watermelon is a seasonal product, some unscrupulous producers, in an attempt to maximize profits, use excessive amounts of fertilizers: sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium nitrates. Their excess accumulates in watermelon pulp. However, sometimes weather conditions without human intervention turn a valuable product into a time bomb. In a rainy summer, a lover of the hot sun runs the risk of becoming nitrate.

That is why it is better to refrain from buying watermelon at the beginning of the season. Wait for the time when the watermelon ripens naturally. The time when Astrakhan and Volgograd watermelons reach technical ripeness falls on the second half of August - early September. There are, of course, early varieties that also grow in the Krasnodar Territory, in the Stavropol Territory, but no one will give guarantees that they have ripened on their own.

Where to buy watermelon

I already wrote how to recognize deception using weights (body kit). When choosing a watermelon, pay attention to how the outlet is equipped. Watermelons should lie on special trays or ventilated nets, under an awning or a canopy. Resist the temptation to pick up the juicy fruit at roadside stalls "along the way." Watermelon absorbs harmful substances very quickly. A couple of hours on the track - and heavy metals from the exhaust gases are already in the tender pulp. A mountain of watermelons usually lies for more than one day before the full sale. Yes, and on the tracks often sell substandard goods, documents for which in most cases are missing.

Do not buy minke whales if they are on the ground. Microcracks in the peel are the entrance gates for malicious microbes, seeking to get from the soil into the nutritious sweet environment of the pulp in order to live happily there and multiply rapidly. How your meeting with their population may end is better not to know.

It is not out of place to ask for a certificate for the goods and ask the seller if there is a health book (even if you seem like a bore, you will remain a healthy bore). Also, don't buy watermelon in the supermarket - they are usually delivered there unripe.

Choosing the right watermelon

If the outlet is equipped in accordance with all the rules and all the necessary documents are available, you can, in fact, proceed to the selection of fruits, doing it methodically and point by point.

• A medium sized watermelon will taste better. It is generally accepted that the larger the watermelon, the sweeter it is. In fact, you should not take the largest watermelon in the party.
• From two berries of the same size sweeter and riper the one that is lighter.

• Skin appearance. Evaluate what the fruit you like looks like. Stripes should be contrasting(if it is a variety that provides for their presence). Blurry ones speak of the unnaturalness of its aging.
• It is necessary to take a watermelon with a glossy peel. Matte skin may indicate the use of nitrates.
• Good watermelon without external damage. The peel should not have any flaws, cracks, scratches.
• If the rind pierces with a fingernail and smells like freshly cut grass when rubbed, the watermelon is unripe.
• The ground contact patch should be yellow or orange. Its white color indicates the presence of nitrates.
• Tail and bottom. The vast majority of consumers believe that a dry tail is a sign of berry ripeness. But it can dry out and is still stored before selling. You need to pay attention to halo under tail- at a ripe watermelon he keratinized.
• The floor of the specimen is determined from the bottom on the opposite side of the tail. The "girl" is wider. Watermelon-girl is sweeter, it has fewer seeds.
• Compression and tapping test. Remember, in the cartoon "Well, you wait!" did the hippo choose the watermelon just like that? Apparently, the watermelons in the cartoon outlet were immature, if he liked the wolf's head more. A ripe fruit makes a dull resonant sound when tapped, and crackles when squeezed with hands.. The accuracy of such a diagnosis still depends on the presence of a certain experience.
• Buy only whole watermelon. When buying a half of a watermelon, along with it you risk acquiring bacteria brought from a knife or the seller’s hands.
• And... listen to your intuition;).

​Home examination

What is watermelon poisoning, I wish you not to know. At best, you run the risk of spending a lot of time in a cozy small office in the company of a "white friend", at worst ... But let's not talk about sad things, let's try to avoid this. Check at home whether watermelon contains nitrates, even a child can. The simplest test, coupled with external signs, will give out a deceiver with a head.

The appearance of the peel and its condition is easy to consider before buying, but a lot can tell about the berry and the pulp. You can also assess its condition at a point of sale, if for a sample a watermelon cut in half is on the showcase.

Signs of excessive nitrate content:

• yellowish streaks running from the center to the crust (in normal they are white);
• perfectly even, smooth flesh on the cut (in the right one, the granular structure is clearly visible);
• rich color of the pulp;
• a piece filled with water turns it pink or red (in the absence of nitrates, the water becomes simply cloudy).

If the watermelon passed the test with dignity and proved that it is clean in front of you like a baby’s tear, and at the same time turned out to be ripe and tasty, it makes sense to return to the seller and take a small batch for storage.

watermelon storage

For long-term storage, small fruits (4-5 kg) with dry tails and small yellow spots on the sides should be purchased. It is better to do this at the end of September. Each watermelon must be thoroughly washed, dried and placed in a soft net. It is advisable to store watermelons in limbo. A plus will be high humidity, such an environment prevents the loss of moisture by the fruits. Optimum storage temperature +5 °C. But even under warmer conditions, watermelons lie well, but they will have to be eaten faster. Under good storage conditions, it is quite possible to keep watermelons until the New Year.

So, everything is simple! To choose the right watermelon and save it, follow three conditions:right time, right place and... a ripe watermelon!