How do you know if a watermelon is ripe? How to choose a watermelon - determine ripeness and sweetness

August is the time of the long-awaited watermelons. And the most actual question season - how to choose a ripe and tasty watermelon? The seller can assure you in June that he has a super-early variety of berries. The purchase will indeed turn out to be with juicy and bright red pulp, only nitrates and other chemistry clearly helped to ripen such a watermelon. Therefore, until the end of the season, it is better not to succumb to the temptation. Natural gourd berries will be on sale only in August.

Perhaps, choosing a sweet fruit is a whole science. How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon and choose a berry without nitrates? Let's study it together.

How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon

By appearance

That watermelon is good, in which the stripes are bright and the peel is shiny. Pay attention to external damage to the fetus. If it is cracked or rumpled, then bacteria could already penetrate into the pulp. This watermelon is dangerous to health. Clothing should be so hard that it is difficult to scratch it with a fingernail. And one more thing: prefer a round watermelon to an oblong one.

According to the size and color of the earth spot

Look for a watermelon that has a yellow spot on its side - this is the place where the berry came into contact with the ground. The color should be reddish, yellow or light brown. But a white earthen spot indicates that the watermelon is not ripe. Spot size should ideally be between 5 and 10 cm.

On a dry stem

The tail of a watermelon is like the umbilical cord of a newborn: through it the fetus receives nutrients. In fact, when the watermelon is ripe, it should fall off the fruit itself and dry up. Therefore, the green stalk of a store-bought watermelon should alert you - the fruit is clearly not ripe. The tail of a ripe berry will be brittle, check without leaving the cash register!

By weight

Many people think that large watermelons are the most delicious. And they are right. A large mass of watermelon speaks of its ripeness. In some varieties, the weight of 10-17 kg is considered the norm. But there is a reasonable limit to everything: the abnormally huge watermelon is most likely grown with the help of artificial feeding. Look for the golden mean.

By sound

Many people know the old-fashioned way - to lightly knock on a watermelon. This is the main sign of a ripe watermelon. If the sound is sonorous when tapped, and the rind of the watermelon springs a little from the impact, feel free to buy! But a dull sound, on the contrary, should alert you - the watermelon is most likely unripe.

How to choose a good quality watermelon

Few calories and a lot useful substances. This is about the watermelon that was grown correctly. per century modern technologies we buy gourds with fear - the reason for this is the chemicals that create artificially ripe watermelons, and also get rid of pests on melons. How to calculate excess nitrates? Look at the peel. Black and brown spots over the entire surface give out the presence of nitrogen salts. Did the fruit look cute? Check it out at home after cutting. If the color of the pulp is unevenly red and with purple spots, then there is an excess of nitrates in the watermelon. This will also be indicated by multi-colored bones (black and white in one berry) as well as yellow streaks from the peel to the pulp.

There is another secret: the pulp on the cut of the “correct” watermelon will be with grains, as if sugar, but the watermelon with nitrate content has unnaturally glossy insides.

To fully verify the safety of a sweet purchase, spend a simple experiment at home: dip a piece of watermelon pulp into a glass of water and crush the pulp. Turbid water indicates the naturalness of the berry, the water turned red - an indicator of the presence of nitrates. This is the best way to test watermelons.

1. The most natural watermelons appear on sale only in mid-August.
2. It is better to buy watermelons in the store. If you go to the market, then bypass the side of the seller, whose watermelons are right on the ground.
3. Do not buy watermelons on the highway. Vehicle exhaust fumes are not the best way to affect the safety of the product.
4. Refuse to buy a cut watermelon, even if the half is carefully tightened cling film. Under it, bacteria actively develop. And whether the one who cut him observed hygiene is generally unknown.
5. Press the fruit from above and below: if you hear crackling, then the watermelon is delicious and ripe.

We wish you delicious watermelon and have a nice summer!

(from Brazil or Spain), but to local ones, including Central Asian watermelons.

Although watermelon is very healthy and relatively inexpensive, there are a few things worth knowing about it.

For example, you may come across an immature watermelon, or it may be loaded with nitrates, which do not bring anything useful and even more - deprive the watermelon of their advantages.

It will be interesting to note the fact that watermelon is not a berry, but member of the gourd family.

In order not to make a mistake when choosing a watermelon, you should know a few useful things, which will be discussed below.

How to choose a ripe watermelon

Just by eye to determine whether a ripe watermelon or not is almost impossible.

It used to be possible to make a small cut to show how red the watermelon is, but now it's illegal because the peel and knife of the seller in the market can hardly be called clean, not to mention simple hygiene.

So you need to use other methods.

1. Tapping

This method can help, but not always. Yes, it happens that a ripe watermelon, when tapped, makes a ringing sound. But sometimes not quite ripe watermelon can make the same sound, so it is not advisable to completely rely on this method.

2. Looking at the ponytail

This method also cannot be called the best, although it is used quite often. It is believed that a ripe watermelon has a dry tail, which is true.

But given that the watermelon did not ripen in natural conditions (not on melon), then its tail is also dry, and the watermelon is not ripe.

3. Squeezing a watermelon with your hands

This traditional method definitions ripened, perhaps the most reliable.

You need to squeeze the watermelon with your hands - if it makes a crack, then it is ripe.

4. Stain on the side

Also pay attention to the side of the watermelon - there should be a spot that appears when the watermelon has been lying on the ground for a long time. It is desirable that this spot be yellow.

It is worth noting that this spot is called the "point of the field" and the watermelon rested on the ground with it, ripening under the rays of the sun. The darker this stain, the better.

A white spot or no spot means that the fruit was picked early and did not have time to ripen.

5. Scratch the crust

If you scratch the rind of a watermelon a little, then you can determine its ripeness - in a ripe watermelon, a thin peel will be removed quite easily.

How to choose the right watermelon

* choose a watermelon with a more or less symmetrical shape. Do not take small watermelons, as a rule, they are not very sweet. At the same time, too large watermelons may contain nitrates.

* watermelons that have a strong contrasting color pattern on the skin are most likely very ripe. This means that you should look for a dark watermelon with light stripes.

* DO NOT take watermelon with cracks, spots or dents. Stains on a watermelon mean that it was not stored and transported carefully, and he could lose his taste properties and be sour. Also, these indicators may mean that the fruit was watered incorrectly.

* DO NOT let the seller cut the test piece. As already mentioned, the knife can be dirty, and dust can get into the watermelon on the way home.

* Choose the watermelon that is heavier - such a fruit is full of juices. Take two identical watermelons - the one that is heavier is the most ripe. This advice is relevant for many fruits and vegetables.

The benefits of watermelon

Despite the fact that the watermelon looks like a large berry with a lot of seeds, in fact, the "common watermelon" refers to members of the Cucurbitaceae family, and its fruit is called pumpkin, and, as you might guess, its closest relative is pumpkin.

*Since traditional watermelon contains a small amount of sugar, it can be eaten by those who suffer from diabetes, but of course within reasonable limits.

* It is also worth noting that watermelon juice boasts very high alkalinity. Mostly vegetables, fruits and berries have an acidic, neutral or slightly alkaline reaction, but watermelon is ahead of everyone in this sense.

You have probably heard about such a criterion as an indicator of the acidity of the environment - it is designated as pH. It is worth noting that a change of only 1 pH unit means that the acidity level has changed 10 times.

Since watermelon has a high alkalinity, it is a very good diuretic, which means it is incredibly useful for those who suffer from liver and kidney diseases, as well as people with arthritis, atherosclerosis and hypertension.

And don't forget that ripe watermelon - very sweet. But that's only when there's no a large number pesticides and fertilizers, which are used for faster ripening.

There is about a week left before the official start of the season for the sale of watermelons, however, unauthorized trade in melons on the streets of Moscow has been going on since mid-July. Consumers are outraged not only by the high price, but also by the quality of the fruit: watermelons that are artificially ripened with the help of nitrates pose a health hazard.

At the same time, sellers of watermelon breakups in most cases cannot present either a trade permit or quality certificates.

Permission to trade melons will be valid from 1 August . The Moscow Department of Consumer Market and Services explained that it is not recommended to buy watermelons before this date - it is better to wait until the end of summer, when they will definitely ripen.

The number of gourd breaks in the capital this summer will be almost two times less compared to last year - total 450 . In addition, retail outlets will operate under the new rules. Sellers are required to work in special clothing, carry a medical book and documents confirming the quality of the products.

Where to choose watermelons

In Moscow, the sale of melons "from the ground" is prohibited. Sales outlets should be equipped with mesh chests and special scales instead of household, medical and postal scales. Sellers should not cut and sell watermelons and melons in parts, in slices.

In addition, visual information about the mode of operation should be placed on the tray or collapse. outlet and legal address of the trade organization.

To be on the safe side, it's best not to buy watermelons from "spontaneous" markets where products are not checked by sanitary services, and always ask if they have documents. And even more so, you should not buy at the breakups near the roads: there the products absorb toxins.

Some producers stimulate the ripening of gourds with nitrogen fertilizers, which leads to the accumulation of nitrates in watermelons. The consequences of their use can be severe - acute infectious poisoning or chronic intoxication, which doctors call "cumulative effect".

How to identify a nitrate "bomb"

It is impossible to determine a nitrate watermelon by eye if it is not cut. A berry should not even be tasted if its flesh is riddled with yellow or light yellow fibers or has a purple hue.

If you soak the pulp of a nitrate watermelon in water, it will turn red or pink due to the high content of nitrates. A "healthy" watermelon will make the water slightly cloudy.

If you knock on a nitrate watermelon, it feels like you are hitting a half-mast ball. In appearance, such a watermelon may be ripe, but if it does not crack when compressed, it means that it has not ripened without someone else's "help"

What should a watermelon look like without flaws

There is a widespread belief that a large watermelon is "nitrate". This is not true: for example, for the “chill” variety, 10-20 kilograms is far from the limit.

The ideal watermelon should be large enough without being too heavy and with a distinct striped pattern. In order to determine the natural ripeness of a watermelon, first of all, you need to pay attention to the stalk - the tail at the top of the fruit must be dry.

The purchased watermelon should not have cuts and cracks - through which microbes enter, causing intestinal infections.

There is a myth that a ripe watermelon should ring if you pat it with your palm. In fact, the sound depends on whether the pulp inside has softened or not. Just the green fruit will ring, and the ripe watermelon should be deaf.

The crackle that a watermelon makes when you squeeze it with your hands is a good sign. You can safely buy such a product.

The earth spot on the lower side should preferably be yellow, not white.

And the last. A ripe watermelon can be easily scratched - by running your fingernail over it, you can easily remove the top layer of the peel.

When choosing a melon, connoisseurs advise paying attention to the aroma that its peel should exude, the softness that is felt to the touch, and the absence of light brown spots.

What to do in case of "nitrate" poisoning

In addition to nitrates, watermelons can contain microbes and even heavy metals. In case of poisoning, it is necessary to drink as much water as possible to prevent dehydration and reduce the symptoms of the disease.

Is watermelon useful?

There is conflicting information about the benefits of watermelons. Some say that the fiber of watermelons contains potassium, which is washed out of the body when taking diuretic drugs. Therefore, watermelons are advised to be consumed in diseases such as cystitis and nephritis.

At the same time, there is an opinion that all gourds, although they contain fiber, are poorly absorbed, loading the stomach. That is why doctors advise children and the elderly over 50 to give up juicy fruits.

The material was prepared by the online editors www.rian.ru based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Now, people are ready to stuff food with chemistry, just to give them a marketable appearance, and immediately put them up for sale. But who wants to go to the hospital after eating their favorite fruit or vegetable? For this, it is worth reading articles to distinguish good watermelon, from a watermelon stuffed with chemical additives.

The more colorful and contrasting the watermelon, the better and juicier it will be.

An important indicator of the state of the watermelon is the color of the veins inside the pulp of the watermelon. If their color is white, then the watermelon can safely go to your stomach. If streaks of yellow or purple are seen, then this is a bad sign - such a watermelon is either not fully ripe, or the result of a pest invasion, but in most cases this is the effect of nitrates.

I immediately remember the hippopotamus from "Well, wait a minute"

But oddly enough, this method almost always works, if you have the strength, of course, to squeeze the watermelon.

Gloss check

Also pay attention to the seeds - they must be mature!

Fresh, snowy, soft-crispy

I will cut open, I will cry into the scarlet sweetness.
This is a miracle, moreover, a real one -
Our Baskunchak, Liman watermelon!

What a twist

Usually they say that there are few nitrates in the middle, and a lot - closer to the peel. As it turns out, this is not always the case.

water test

And you can also check this: throw a piece of watermelon pulp into the water, if it sinks, the watermelon is saturated with nitrates, and if it remains to swim, it’s good!

By the way, about how to choose the right melon and what to cook from it, read here!

Cut off from melons

When the watermelon ripens, it is separated from the melon by the fact that its tail dries up on its own. If you do not see the tail or it is somehow tucked up, most likely the seller is hiding something from you.

The ripeness of a watermelon and the naturalness of its origin can also be determined by an earthen spot.

On one of the barrels of watermelon, there must be a brownish-yellow or orange-yellow spot - this is the side of the watermelon lying on the ground. But keep in mind that the stain should not be white!

Oh, that sound

The sound of a watermelon depends on whether the pulp inside has softened or not. Just the green fruit will ring, and the ripe watermelon will make a dull sound.

We check how the bees worked on the watermelon

These nets appear because the bees touch the ovary during pollination, respectively, the more pollination occurs, the sweeter the fruit will be.

Touch the peel for density

When the watermelon ripens and separates from the melon, it is no longer able to absorb water, because its rind hardens. If you can easily pierce the peel with your fingernail, you have an unripe fruit.

Girl or boy?

Watermelon is a bisexual berry: the “male” individual is more elongated, has a convex bottom and a small circle, while the “female” berries have a wide circle. "Girls" are considered tastier: they have fewer bones, and more sugar.

If you still got on a nitrate watermelon, then the following symptoms will bother you

2-6 hours after eating watermelon:

• nausea, rarely vomiting;
• diarrhea (up to 10-15 times a day);
• abdominal pain, cramps;
• weakness;
• dizziness, headaches;
• temperature rise.

What to do in case of watermelon poisoning:

1. Rinse the stomach with plenty of warm, salted water or a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate.
2. Take enterosorbents - medications that neutralize poisons in the intestinal lumen. Most popular: Activated carbon, "Polysorb MP", "Enterosgel", "Smekta".
3. Drink as much liquid as possible to enhance the elimination of poisons from the body, as well as prevent dehydration.
4. Drink sweet tea with lemon after cessation of nausea.
5. Do not take antidiarrheals and painkillers, they mask the true state of the body.

How to accurately determine that the watermelon is ripe and sweet in taste? Dmitry

Summer is a huge assortment of berries, fruits and vegetables that can be consumed in fresh straight from the garden. Watermelon is one of the brightest and favorite berries of the summer season, because adults and children love the juicy sugar pulp of watermelon. Watermelon juice perfectly refreshes on a hot summer day, quenches thirst and is a storehouse of vitamins: pectin and fiber, potassium and magnesium, folic acid and iron.

Most often, watermelons are consumed fresh, but today there are many recipes for successfully marinating and fermenting it in tubs. Watermelon peel becomes the basis for the manufacture of candied fruits, and some craftsmen make honey from its juice. It is much easier to choose a ripe sugar watermelon in the garden than on the store counter. How to accurately determine the ripeness of a watermelon in the garden and in the store will be discussed in this article.

A fully ripe watermelon has the shape of a slightly elongated ball. Speaking of weight finished product, then the berry should not be light and at the same time too heavy. The optimal weight of a ripe fruit is from 8 to 12 kg. Small watermelons will often be underripe. But when buying on the market, refrain from purchasing watermelon, the weight of which is over 12 kg, since often such specimens are obtained as a result of abundant fertilizer, which is not good for humans. If we consider the ripening period of the berry, then mid-August is the very milestone when the probability of buying a magnificent sugar watermelon is highest. When choosing a ripe berry, you need to be guided by several basic visual indicators:

• spot on the side;
• "Ass" of watermelon;
• the appearance of the crust;
• tail condition;
• sound resonation.

A small yellowish spot on the barrel of the berry is formed due to contact with the ground. Its presence confirms the fact that the watermelon ripened precisely in the garden, and was not plucked unripe for "comfortable" transportation. The color of the spot should be from yellow to dark orange, but a white tint or green indicates that the fruit is not ripe.

Watermelon is a bisexual berry, and therefore the gender of the watermelon matters. According to many consumers, the female fruit will be sweeter, and there will be fewer seeds in it than the "boy". Outwardly, the “girl” has a flatter lower part and a wide circle, while the “boys” are characterized by a deeper lower part and a very small circle.

We determine by the crust

Let's consider how to accurately determine the ripeness of a watermelon by its "clothes", that is, the peel. Watermelon peel should not have cracks, spots and dents, and the skin is very hard to the touch. The fact is that as soon as the ripened fruit breaks off on its own from the branch, the flow of moisture to it stops, and the peel quickly hardens. If the watermelon is really “ready”, then it will definitely not work to pierce it with a fingernail, but you can remove the thin top layer very easily. Another sign of ripeness is the absence of a wax coating on the peel, which glistens beautifully in the sun.

Pay attention to the contrast of colors, how clearly the black-green stripes of the berry are visible. In the process of growth, like most plants, it needs nutrients. Some things are introduced by man, while others are given to the growing "organism" by nature itself. Chlorophyll is what makes the bark of the berry green and provides glucose. As soon as the fruit ripens, chlorophyll production stops and the color slowly changes to yellow. Therefore, if the “combat” color of the berry is bright and contrasting, it means that during the growth process there was a lot of sun and heat, which is what the plant needs for comfortable development.

Video “Determining for sweetness and ripeness”

We distinguish ripeness by the tail

The ripeness of a watermelon can be determined by the tail. When the fruit reaches maturity, the stalk (tail) and the junction with the fruit begin to dry out. A dry tail and dry edges of the stem circle are a sure sign of a ripe watermelon. But very often melons are harvested unripe, so that it is more convenient to transport, especially over long distances. However, the tail should be moderately dry, as an overdried version indicates that the melon was harvested many weeks ago. The absence of a stalk, as a result of the seller's activities, indicates that the watermelon is definitely not ripe.

How to understand by sound

As you can see, buying a ripe fruit is not difficult if you conduct a careful visual inspection and “slap” it a little. juicy berry will become wonderful dessert on a summer day and will only benefit you and your household.

Can you understand by the sound of a ripe watermelon that the seller offers you to buy? Of course you can, if you conduct a small experiment, available to every buyer. It should resonate due to the empty micro pockets in the sugar pulp of the fruit. To check whether the specimen chosen for you resonates, place a berry in the palm of your left hand, and with your right palm slap the fruit on the barrels. So, a ripe berry will let sound through, and you will feel the rebound of your clap in your left hand.

Video “How to determine ripeness”

To find out if this crop has ripened in your garden, we recommend watching the video clip that we have prepared especially for you.