Watermelon is a fruit that is nutrient-dense, vibrant red, and deliciously juicy. It makes a light snack with few calories. It is a fantastic source of natural antioxidants when ripe, especially lycopene, which has been linked to several health advantages, including defense against heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. While tasting or visually inspecting a watermelon’s red flesh is the best way to determine whether it is ripe, this is usually only accessible after you have purchased the fruit.
Picking a delicious, juicy watermelon based solely on appearance can be difficult if you don’t want to purchase pre-cut items. Here are six pieces of advice to assist you in bringing a tasty watermelon home.
Continue reading the article to know more about How to Choose a Good Watermelon and Know How You Can Select A Perfect Watermelon.
- Look for a Uniform Shape
Watermelons occur in a variety of sizes and forms, including round, oval, and elongated. They are all viable options. Choose just those that are firm and symmetrical in shape; stay away from those that have erratic lumps, dents, or slashes. Unusualities could be a sign that the watermelon did not receive enough water or was improperly pollinated. Cuts or dents, on the other hand, can indicate the presence of fungus or insects in the watermelon.
- Lift It for Weight
A watermelon that is ripe and sweet should feel solid for its size. This typically indicates that it is moist and so juicier. A healthy weight seems to be influenced by the water and fiber content of fruits, particularly watermelon. Because of this trait, watermelons get their name. Water-rich meals like watermelon might help you feel fuller faster while ingesting fewer calories per serving.
- Check For the Field Spot
A yellow area, commonly referred to as the field or ground spot, ought to be visible if you turn a watermelon on its side. This area depicts the location of the watermelon’s resting place before harvest. If there is a sizable yellow spot, it has spent more time on the vine and should be sweeter. A whiter area, on the other hand, denotes that the fruit was taken before it was fully mature. Since watermelons don’t continue to mature after harvest, selecting one with a whiter spot means you’ll almost certainly get one with little flavor.
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- Use Tapping Technique
By listening to the sound a watermelon produces when you tap or smack it, you may determine its level of maturity. Even though this approach is subjective, fans of watermelon adore it. In fact, due to its popularity, scientists have created a vibration analysis that has been shown to aid in ripeness detection. When you thud a ripe watermelon with your hand or fist, it should make a deep sound that resembles a tenor. It’s probably overripe if it sounds hollow or flat.
- Examine its firmness
A watermelon’s resistance to the rind or skin is measured while determining the fruit’s firmness. A fully ripe watermelon should have a sturdy rind that resists pressure well. Most of the time, the ones that do are overripe. Additionally, even if you use your fingernail to scratch it, you shouldn’t be able to cut through it.
- Check the Tail or Stem
The portion of the stem that is still present after the watermelon is harvested is referred to as the fruit’s “tail.” The stem connects the plant’s leaves, flowers, and fruit to its roots and carries the water and nutrients needed for growth. Typically, a green stem means the watermelon was picked too soon and won’t be ripe because it was still growing. A dry stem, on the other hand, denotes a ripe watermelon.
- Look at the Stripes
Your watermelon’s color might help you determine how ripe it is. Choose a melon with a strong, recognizable stripe pattern. The pale stripes should be creamy, light yellow, and the green stripes should be rich, dark green. Additionally, you might wish to select a watermelon with a plain appearance. The melon is perhaps underripe if it is particularly glossy.
- Look for Spots
A watermelon that is especially sweet will have dry weathering areas and vein-like webbing lines. These blotches represent the locations where the fruit’s sugar has leaked out. So, before choosing one side of your melon, be sure to check them all.
- Select the Largest One Considering Its Weight
Lift the watermelons in the grocery to choose the best one while getting a little exercise in. They ought to feel heavier than they appear when raised. A watermelon’s water content increases with density for its size, making it sweeter overall.
- Purchase during the season
Even while you might want to consume watermelon all year long, the greatest time to buy it is between May and September, when it is in its prime. Prepare to select the very finest and try one of these delicious watermelon dishes.
How can you spot a damaged or spoiled watermelon?
It may not be safe to eat watermelons that have been harmed or spoiled. You can assess whether a watermelon should be avoided by looking at the symptoms listed below:
Dark spots: These spots could be caused by germs or fungus.
Water-soaked flesh: In this situation, the watermelon’s flesh starts to deteriorate, sag, and turn dark. It might be caused by a fungus infection or water saturation.
Target cluster: These are target-like arrangements that are thought to be brought on by a virus.
Damage from rind worms: This damage appears as an erratic white to light brown pattern on the rind and may be the result of insect feeding.
Internal rind spots: This bacterial condition is indicated by dry tissue that is tan or brown on the inside of the rind.
Sour or tangy smell: Different rotten odors, such as those that are sour or tangy, are signs that the flesh is starting to ferment.
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FAQs
1. Do watermelons begin to ripen after picking?
Ans. Once harvested, watermelons stop ripening. The process of ripening ends when they are taken off the vine. Watermelons need to be collected at the ideal stage of ripeness to reach their sweetest flavor. A watermelon should be as ripe as possible when you choose it from the supermarket. As with bananas or pears, you cannot keep them on the kitchen counter and wait for them to ripen.
2. Should watermelon be stored in the fridge?
Ans. Refrigeration is dependent on the watermelon’s condition. To keep their sweetness and general flavor, whole watermelons should be placed on the counter at room temperature. After being cut, the watermelon needs to be chilled to prevent drying out and spoilage.
3. How long do store-bought watermelons last?
Ans. Watermelons can remain uncut on your counter for seven to ten days at room temperature. But when you cut into your watermelon, everything is different. Watermelon only keeps well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days after being cut before becoming rotten.
The bottom line
Selecting a sweet, ripe watermelon might be challenging. The only reliable criteria for assessing a watermelon’s ripeness are internal signs, such as a sweet flavor and red flesh. The ripe ones can be distinguished from the immature, overripe, or spoilt ones, though, by a few outward cues. The melon’s size, sound, and rind’s appearance are a few of these. The next time you’re looking for a cool, healthful treat, you’ll be able to choose the ideal watermelon by using some of the tips mentioned above.