Sweet, ripe and nitrate-free? There are many tricks and tricks to distinguish a healthy berry from a juicy ripe pulp.
The second half of summer is a real holiday for lovers of watermelons. You can enjoy your favorite berry at least every day: eat sliced pulp, prepare cocktails and various desserts. But the fruit brought home from the market or the store is far from always tasty and healthy: the pulp may be unripe or unsweetened, and an excess concentration of nitrates can cause a violation of the blood composition and cause severe poisoning.
There are several rules, adhering to which you can choose a watermelon not only ripe and sweet, but also without the content of nitrogen fertilizers harmful to the body.
With the beginning of the season, watermelons can be found in supermarkets, markets, in tents located right under the open sky. The taste and useful properties of berries largely depend on storage conditions, so before you go for a watermelon, it is important to choose the right place to buy.
Sanitary conditions in shops and specially equipped storage facilities are much better than in spontaneous markets and tents. Experts strongly do not recommend purchasing watermelons from sellers who offer to choose fruits from heaps dumped on the roadsides right on the ground. Despite the thick peel, the berries are able to absorb many harmful substances deposited from exhaust gases, and various pathogens can penetrate through small cracks.
If you still decide to choose a watermelon in an outdoor tent, pay attention to the following:
- from above, the fruits should be covered with a canopy;
- all watermelons must be on a special flooring at least 20 cm high;
- the best option is to have side walls in the tent that protect the berries from dust and dirt.
Before choosing a watermelon in the market, in a store or other point of sale, the buyer has the right to demand certificates confirming the quality of the goods. The document indicates the timing and place of collection, the presence of nitrates and other data that will allow you to make a choice. In the absence of documentation, you should not risk your health, even if the price is lower than that of other sellers.
At a certain temperature and humidity, watermelons can be stored for a long time, but it is impossible to provide such conditions at street sales outlets. This means that the average shelf life is no more than 2-3 weeks. After that, the berries begin to sour and lose their taste. If it is not possible to set the harvest time, you can check this by tearing off a small piece of skin with your fingernail: fresh watermelons can smell only cut grass, and a small amount of moisture will appear on the surface.
Some producers and sellers, in order to keep the crop longer, process it with a mixture of chalk or a solution of alabaster and paraffin. The duration of storage at the same time increases by 1.5-2 times, but the quality of the berries is significantly reduced: frequent consumption of the pulp of such watermelons can result in the formation of sand in the kidneys.
The most useful are watermelons grown outdoors. Since this melon culture is thermophilic, the first ripe fruits appear not earlier than the second half of summer. At first, berries imported from the Central Asian countries go on sale, a little later - from the southern regions of the country. The optimal time to buy your favorite treat starts from the second decade of August and lasts until the last days of September. During this period, the highest chances to choose watermelon are not only delicious, but also without nitrates.
By appearance
Experienced lovers of sweet fruits first of all pay attention to the color and other external characteristics of the peel. Knowing some tricks will allow you to establish the ripeness of the pulp even without a preliminary sample. What should you pay attention to and how to choose the right watermelon in appearance?
Many are interested in the question: is it possible to determine the presence of nitrates in the pulp by appearance? Unfortunately, it is impossible to establish the content of an increased amount of harmful substances without cutting the fruit, except perhaps with the help of a special device.
Knowing the signs of excess nitrates will help to avoid poisoning. Before eating a cut watermelon, carefully inspect it:
- a good watermelon has pulp, on the cut of which sugar grains are clearly visible;
- a dangerous concentration of nitrates may be indicated by the presence of voids in the central part of the fetus;
- a ripe watermelon has black pits, the combination of immature seeds and ripe red pulp is a bad sign.
By sound
When watermelon ripens, the pulp changes its density - it becomes more porous. This feature makes it possible to determine the ripeness by the sound that the berry makes when tapped. To do this, you need to knock on the crust with your knuckle. The louder the sound, the riper the berry. You can check several watermelons in this way and compare the result.
How else can you choose a watermelon by sound? There is another method for determining ripeness, which is more suitable for men. The fetus is clamped between two palms opposite each other. They should be placed in the middle between the tail and the bottom. When squeezing the palms of a ripe fruit, the peel will emit a characteristic soft crackle. This method requires a certain physical strength, but its reliability is quite high.
The main taste characteristic by which the quality of the crop is assessed is the amount of sugar in the pulp. At the same time, the sweetness of a berry is not always directly related to its ripeness: it happens that a red fruit with ripe seeds may not be sweet at all.
What affects the taste of watermelon and what indicators of sugar content are considered optimal? With the mass cultivation of gourds, the suitability of fruits for consumption is determined when the sugar concentration reaches 10% or more. To determine this indicator, a special device is used - a refractometer. On melons in different places, several fruits are selected, cut and the sugar content of the pulp in the central part of the fruit is measured.
However, not all manufacturers offer a product with the recommended characteristics. What is the reason for the decrease in taste? There are several factors that affect the taste of the pulp.
First of all, the choice of variety is important. Despite the large number of different types of gourds, breeding work does not stop, due to which new improved hybrids appear. Not all characteristics are improved as a result of crossbreeding, and often an increase in disease resistance or an increase in yield affects the palatability. When choosing a variety, the growing conditions, as well as the structure and composition of the soil, should be taken into account.
Even properly selected seeds may not give the desired yield if the growing technology is not followed or adverse weather factors are not followed. For a normal sugar content, the following conditions are necessary:
- Sufficient lighting. The more sunny days during the period of plant growth and fruit formation, the sweeter the harvest will be.
- The presence of moisture. Sufficient soil moisture ensures good germination of crops and normal growth of gourds. But during the ripening of the crop, excess moisture can have the most negative effect on their taste: if after dry days it rains heavily, the plants can continue to grow and draw some of the substances accumulated in the fruits back into the leaves and stems.
- Nutrition. Watermelon is highly sensitive to the presence of mineral fertilizers in the soil. When planting plants on poor soils, regular plant feeding is necessary, which makes it possible to get a richer harvest and increase the sugar concentration by as much as 2-3%. Some unscrupulous growers seek to increase yields by oversupplying nitrogen in the soil. It is able to cause intensive cell growth, in which their number remains the same, and the size exceeds the norm several times. The increase in volume in this case occurs due to the accumulation of water and the deterioration of taste. With an increased amount of nitrogen, the pulp may acquire a specific bitter taste.
Another reason for the discrepancy between the expected taste is the untimely harvest. Watermelon, unlike the vast majority of fruits, is not able to ripen after harvest. The taste characteristics are also affected by the conditions of transportation and storage.
So how can you choose a watermelon with sweet pulp? Unfortunately, there are no external signs of determining the taste of the pulp. You can find out how tasty and sweet the fruit is only after taking a sample.
Many people prefer to choose the largest berries, mistakenly believing that they are the most ripe. In fact, too large a size can be a sign of artificial fruit enlargement by the application of a large amount of nitrogen fertilizers.
The optimal weight depends on the variety: for most of the most popular varieties in the middle lane, this indicator is at the level of 5-6 kg, for large varieties and hybrids ("", "", "Palladin", ""), the weight of the fruit can reach 10-12 kg. When choosing from one batch, it is better not to buy the largest or smallest watermelon, but to give preference to medium-sized specimens.
At present, the opinion that a light skin tone is a sign of insufficient maturity is not true. This is due to the achievements of modern breeding, thanks to which a large number of the most diverse species have recently appeared with a shade of peel from light green to dark green, approaching black.
Experts advise paying attention not to how dark or light the watermelon is, but to the contrast between the stripes on the peel. The more pronounced the difference between adjacent stripes, the tastier the pulp.
Before choosing a watermelon, it is recommended to inspect the stem. Should the tail of the watermelon be completely dry, or is it not an indication of ripeness at all? A ripe berry stops consuming moisture and gradually the stalk at the point of attachment to the stem dries up. A dried tail is one of the signs of maturation, but only if it is fragile and breaks easily.
If the stalk is simply sluggish, it can be said with great certainty that the crop was harvested ahead of schedule, and the stalk dried out during transportation. A clear sign of the immaturity of the fruit is the correctly cut ends of the ponytails.
Another well-known method of selection is the evaluation of the surface condition of the peel. It is believed that after ripening, the watermelon peel begins to shine. How true is this and should the surface of a ripe fruit be smooth and shiny?
When ripe, the hardness of the peel increases, and its upper layer acquires a pronounced waxy sheen. During the period most suitable for eating watermelon, this shine is preserved, but when overripe, the skin becomes matte again.
However, this feature is not true for all varieties: many recently bred hybrids have a waxy coating from the very beginning of fruit formation. Choosing a berry is also worth taking into account the tricks of sellers, who specially rub the surface of the crust to a shine.
At the point of contact with the ground, a so-called “cheek” is formed - a light spot, which can have a hue from white to orange. The presence of such a speck is the norm if its diameter, depending on the total weight, does not exceed 5-10 cm. Light areas of much larger sizes indicate a low quality of the crop.
By the color of the "cheeks" you can determine the degree of maturation. In unripe berries, it is white with visible stripes, but a clean, completely yellow or orange spot on a watermelon indicates that it is already ready to eat.
Sometimes, when cutting the fruit, it is found that the pulp has an uneven structure and is pierced with dense light veins. What do such white threads inside a watermelon mean? The appearance of seals is a plant response to stress caused by a sudden change in growing conditions. Basically, such threads appear with sudden changes in temperature.
If there are streaks in the pulp, before eating it, you should pay attention to the color of the threads: a yellowish tint is one of the signs of an increased nitrate content.
Often, buyers try to choose a watermelon according to the shape and size of the lower part, which remains in place of the fallen flower. It is believed that girls have a wider “mole” and are distinguished by sweetness, but the taste of a boy who has a small convex bottom is much worse. How true are these signs of the sweetness of a watermelon?
The dimensions of the lower part depend solely on the size of the flower and have nothing to do with the "sexual" division of the fruit. A good watermelon does not have to have a wide and flat bottom. At the same time, the size of the “mole” can tell about the number of seeds inside: the so-called “boys” have few of them and they are small, but the pulp of the “girls” contains many large seeds.
Is it possible to eat early watermelons
The first watermelons on the shelves of shops and markets can be found already in July. Among lovers of sweet berries, there is an opinion that early watermelons contain an increased amount of ammonia fertilizers. How true is this and is it possible to eat the first harvest?
It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. The ultra-early varieties developed by breeders are able to produce crops much earlier than mid-season representatives of the crop. Additional opportunities were opened by the technology of growing plants in greenhouses. It is possible that the earliest fruits are grown in compliance with the nutritional requirements and do not pose a threat to health. You can determine the presence of nitrates from a quality certificate or using a manual nitrate meter.
Knowing the secrets and tricks listed above will help you choose a watermelon that will delight you with a refreshing sweet, juicy and healthy pulp.
Watermelon is a tasty and healthy product, rich in healthy sugars, vitamins and essential minerals. Among them are folic acid, magnesium, potassium, as well as the most valuable antioxidant lycopene, which is famous for its antitumor properties. The diuretic effect of watermelon, which relieves edema, is known to everyone who has tried it at least once.
How to choose a good watermelon?
How to distinguish dangerous watermelons from quite suitable for food? Rospotrebnadzor considered the most topical issues in its recommendations for choosing watermelons and melons during the season of melons and gourds.
- You can not buy watermelons and melons along the roads. Fruits quickly absorb heavy metals from exhaust gases. Another important reason why you should not stop choosing watermelons at such breakups is the lack of sanitary examination of products. This means that those watermelons that simply did not pass this examination for some reason can get on your table.
- You need to choose watermelons and melons in authorized places of sale. In such points, everything should be properly equipped:
- place of trade under a canopy;
- watermelons are stored on racks, covered with an awning (in no case on the ground);
- at the end of the working day, watermelons are removed from the street.
- Where a customer plans to pick a watermelon, there must be a sign, hours of operation, scales, and the following documents:
- certificate or declaration of conformity,
- certificate of quality issued by the organization that grew watermelons;
- documents of the seller of watermelons and melons:
- medical book;
- information about the legal entity.
- When choosing watermelons, you should pay attention to medium-sized fruits. Most often, they are better than large ones.
- The seller is forbidden to cut watermelons for testing. Firstly, when trying an unwashed watermelon from the counter, the buyer runs the risk of getting an intestinal infection, and even hepatitis A. Secondly, harmful microorganisms begin to multiply on a watermelon that is still not chosen, the sale of such watermelons is prohibited. Therefore, before choosing a watermelon, the buyer needs to examine the fruit from all sides to ensure the integrity of the cover.
- The rind color of a good watermelon is bright and contrasting. There is a light spot on the side on which the watermelon lay - in a good watermelon it is as yellow as possible, even orange.
- You need to choose a watermelon with a hard and shiny rind. The crust is easily pierced with a fingernail - the watermelon is immature.
- Ripe watermelon has dry tendrils and stalks.
- When choosing a watermelon, the buyer can judge the maturity of the fruit by small bumps on the rind: when hit with the palm of a ripe watermelon, it vibrates; if you hit it with a bent finger, a moderate sonorous sound appears.
- If you squeeze a ripe watermelon along the longitudinal axis, it should make a faint crunch.
Watermelon from the inside
Rospotrebnadzor banned cutting watermelons before selling. Before eating, the selected watermelon should analyze the pulp of the fruit.
- A good watermelon has no slime on the pulp.
- Inside the watermelon is juicy and moderately red. A very bright red color or even a purple hue of the pulp can indicate a large amount of nitrates. The yellow color of the fibers that go from the core to the crust (and should normally be white) is also an alarming sign. However, it is possible to analyze the amount of nitrates only in laboratory conditions.
- The smooth, glossy surface of the watermelon cut should alert. The pulp of a quality watermelon sparkles with grains.
- You can not eat watermelon, which emits a sour smell after being cut. Otherwise, you can get food poisoning.
Before cutting watermelons, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the fruits with warm water and soap over the entire surface. Particles of earth, dust, microorganisms, chemicals that are outside the watermelon, if not properly processed, can get inside the fruit and cause intestinal diseases.
When choosing a melon, you should pay attention to almost the same points as when choosing a watermelon with some features:
- in ripe melons, the side opposite the tail should be slightly soft;
- a click on the crust causes a dull sound;
- a melon that does not emit an appetizing melon smell is better not to choose.
Watermelons and melons should be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The agency also drew attention to the sense of proportion when consuming watermelons, especially by children.
Do all the tips on how to choose a watermelon really work when choosing this giant "berry"?
By the way, is the “berry” a watermelon? The botanist will answer: "No"! The fruit of a watermelon is called "pumpkin", like other gourds: pumpkins, melons, zucchini and even cucumbers.
Size matters?
There is an opinion that large watermelons are tastier. Among the many modern varieties of watermelons, there are medium ones for 7-15 kg, large ones for 20-30 kg, and small ones for 3-5 kg. How to choose a ripe watermelon, focusing on size? As a rule, on a particular showcase there are fruits of one variety. Therefore, you should not buy a small watermelon, if it lies among the large ones, most likely, buy an unripe one.
Contrasting stripes - ripe watermelon?
The color of the skin depends on the variety. There are dark green watermelons completely without stripes. But, if you choose a striped watermelon from several dozen fruits of the same variety, compare them with each other. Ripe fresh watermelon has contrasting stripes, rich color and a shiny surface. Cloudy stains and a matte coating indicate that the watermelon is most likely sluggish or unripe.
Are "girls" sweeter than "boys"?
Have you also heard that "watermelons" are sweeter?
You can find them by a large spot on the “ass”, the size of the spot is the size of a five-ruble coin.
How to choose a watermelon - "girl"? Such watermelons are found approximately one in twenty. And to find it, you have to turn over a couple of centners. But this spot has nothing to do with the gender of the fetus. The size of the spot depends on the size of the flower that gave the ovary in this place. And all flowers that bear fruit can only be female by nature. Therefore, any watermelon has an equal chance of growing sweet.
Is a dry brown ponytail better than green?
How to choose a ripe watermelon according to the condition of the stem?
Let's think about when the stalk of the plant begins to dry?
When the fruit is plucked and lies for a long time.
When the plant finishes growing.
In the first case, a dry "tail" may be found in an unripe watermelon, which has long been waiting for its buyer. And in the second, at a ripe August watermelon, recently brought from melons.
The green tail can be both ripe and unripe watermelon.
How to choose a ripe watermelon according to this rule, if the probability of making a mistake is so high?
Looking for a yellow barrel
Why can the side of a watermelon remain yellow?
The watermelon lies sideways on the ground, the sun does not hit it.
The presence of a small light spot indicates that this is a real melon, and not a greenhouse crop, plucked ripe, and did not ripen along the way. A sure sign - you must take it!
Do it once!
Remember how the hippopotamus from "Well, you wait!" chose watermelons, squeezing them with his powerful paws? He did this, expecting to hear the sonorous crackling that juicy sweet fruits make. The sound should be as if the watermelon is about to crack. But if, without athletic training, it is difficult for you to lift and attach a fifteen-kilogram “weight” to your ear several times, then it will be difficult for you to use this rule.
Voiced or deaf?
This is the point where there is the most disagreement. According to the logic, tapping on a hollow surface in which there are voids will be voiced, and deaf - on a dense, elastic, filled with liquid. But in the case of watermelons, sources disagree and call the sound of a ripe watermelon either deaf or sonorous. How to choose a ripe watermelon by sound? You will have to develop your ear and learn to distinguish the “correct” sound of the watermelon you like from your own experience.
Now you know that the answer to the question: “How to choose the right watermelon?” Depends on the case. Take note of the recommendations that are convenient for you and remember that, starting from mid-August, all watermelons are ripe.
Who doesn't love watermelons? But how to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon? Most people are obsessed with this delicious and refreshing berry. Sometimes we think that if you are not an experienced connoisseur, buying a juicy, tasty, fully ripe and sweet watermelon is blind luck. However, choosing the perfect watermelon is not so difficult, it is enough to know a few of its signs.
The first rule for how to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon is it should be firm, with a smooth skin without any major cuts or dents. Lumps and bumps may mean that the watermelon has not received enough water or sunlight, resulting in a dry fruit with a white coating.
Ripe and sweet watermelon heavy
Next, take a watermelon and weigh it with your hands. Harder is always better. Since a good fruit is 92% water, its heaviness indicates that it is good and ripe. If you compare the weight of one watermelon with the weight of another of the same size, then heavier is better.
Ripe watermelon has a yellow circle
Now twist the watermelon. It should have a creamy yellow spot. where it lay on the ground and ripened in the sun. And the darker this stain, the better the watermelon will taste. A white spot or its absence at all means that the fruit was plucked before it had time to fully ripen.
Avoid shiny
One thing to always keep in mind when choosing a ripe and sweet watermelon is avoid fruits with shiny skins. This usually means they are not ripe. The ideal watermelon will have a dull-looking skin.
Not too soft
To select a ripe and sweet watermelon, place your thumb on the opposite end from the stem and press gently. The skin should soften a little., but if it slips too easily, put it back; your watermelon is overripe and will have a dry consistency.
ringing sound
Lay the watermelon on a flat surface and give it a good tap. When you click on it you should hear a ringing sound like tenor, not bass. It may seem silly, but this is not grandma's advice; a dull, deep sound indicates that the watermelon is beginning to separate internally - a sign of overripeness.
However, be careful not to sound too high, as this may indicate that the watermelon is not ripe.
