Watermelon should be deaf or voiced. How to choose a ripe watermelon? How to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon: tips for the buyer

Summer is loved for vacations and holidays, the warm sea and family picnics, and of course, for watermelons. The juicy, sugary, sweet giant perfectly quenches thirst and hunger, and simply lifts your spirits. Ripe watermelon is rich in vitamins C and PP, fiber and healthy carbohydrates. But everyone has heard about unpleasant cases of poisoning by these berries, so when choosing this delicacy you need to be more attentive and careful than ever. How to choose the right watermelon? What should you pay attention to, how to avoid falling for the tricks of sellers, what should a healthy minke whale be like? You will find answers to these and more questions in this article.

Of course, fruits grown in our greenhouses and other countries are displayed on store shelves at any time of the year. But first of all, you need to understand that you will not find ripe watermelon in May or June. And this is perhaps the main rule: do not rush to buy summer berries, because the time for their ripening occurs at least at the end of July.

In order to quickly sell their fruits, unscrupulous agronomists enhance the growth of berries with the help of chemicals, using them a week before ripening. But the fact is that the last treatments can be carried out 20–25 days before harvesting, otherwise all the chemicals will get into your or your children’s body.

Ripeness in appearance

Breeders have developed a wide variety of varieties that differ in the color of the pulp: red, pink, yellow and white. But there is not yet a single variety that changes the color or structure of the peel depending on ripeness. But there are still little secrets when choosing a good watermelon. Thanks to these secrets, you can determine ripeness by appearance:

• the pattern on the bark should be clear and monochromatic (blurred patterns may be a symptom of a viral mosaic);
• ripe berries have a glossy, hard skin that is difficult to pierce with a fingernail;
• no juice should be released from the peel;
• The berry should not have any dents.

Popular experiments have shown that a good fruit has large distances between the dark stripes on the skin.

Selecting watermelon by size

Choose ripe and sweet watermelon you can by paying attention to the size and shape. But first you need to decide how to choose a watermelon without nitrates. First you need to understand what nitrates are. These are salts and esters of nitric acid, which have a detrimental effect on human body. They accumulate in plants due to frequent treatments. It is especially dangerous if vegetable growers process fruits just before picking them.

How to choose a sweet watermelon over a nitrate one? It is very easy to identify a nitrate berry. The main signals are the ideal shape of the fetus, too rich color, huge size.

It is clear that there is no need to take an unnaturally large fruit. Most likely, such a plant was susceptible to chemical treatment. It is best to choose a medium-sized fruit, about 6 kg. Do not discard the small fruit immediately. In most cases it will be a truly unripe fruit, but it may be that variety.

Does the condition of the stalk affect the taste?

The condition of the stalk is another factor that you should pay attention to when choosing a striped fruit. A ripe watermelon has a dry stem.

But you shouldn't rely only on this method. After all:

• sellers know about this technique and deliberately pick green berries, the stem of which will dry out after some time;
• the stalk may simply be damaged;
• this way you can buy an overripe watermelon.

Selecting watermelon by weight

In Asian countries, there is a strange method for determining the maturity of this melon crop. Ripe fruits are actually lighter than water, and therefore those that float can be considered high quality. Based on this, you might think that watermelon should be light. But if it was a rainy beginning of summer, then perhaps the selected fruit will be empty inside due to various diseases. The question is often asked: why is watermelon soft? Most likely, this fruit is overripe. Soft watermelon is usually heavy and looks delicious, but in reality it will end up in the trash.

At the beginning of the watermelon season, choose berries weighing 4-6 kg, and already at the height - 7-9 kg.

Choosing a watermelon by sound

Even in old Soviet films, this method of checking a watermelon was often shown. The sound can really say a lot about the insides. sweet berries. But few people know what sound a striped fruit should make after knocking or squeezing. If, after knocking on the peel, a booming sound is made, it means the fruit is ripe; if it is dull, it has no place on the table. When squeezed with your palms, a good round minke whale will produce a characteristic crackling sound; this will not happen with a green one.

Secrets of successful choice

Choosing a watermelon is a delicate matter; for some it can even be a kind of ritual. And for people involved in vegetable growing, choosing a good watermelon is generally a matter of honor.

How to choose a good watermelon and not lose face? The main thing to remember is the following factors:

• a ripe watermelon occurs during its natural ripening period - the end of July;
• the counter must be clean;
• there should be no cracks, dents or punctures on the peel;
• the skin should not be matte, but glossy;
• when ripe, the watermelon has a yellow earthen spot, not white;
• when tapped, a ringing sound should be produced;
• when squeezing, a cracking sound should be heard;
• medium-sized unripe watermelon, weighing from 4 to 9 kg;
• a dry stalk does not always signal ripening.

Video “How to choose a ripe and tasty watermelon”

In this video you will hear useful tips choice of ripe watermelon.

Juicy, sweet and tasty watermelon is exactly what anyone who wants to refresh needs. It is not only tasty, but also contains many vitamins. But it often happens that, having bought a large and beautiful watermelon, you take it home, cut it, and there is pale pink, tasteless pulp. And if you are also “lucky”, you will come across a fruit pumped with chemicals, which can lead to food poisoning. Today we will learn how to choose the watermelon of your dreams: aromatic, sugary and very, very tasty.

We buy in season

The most delicious fruits ripen during the season - and this is August-September. We do not recommend taking it earlier; such watermelons may contain nitrates, since unscrupulous melon growers, wanting to get the harvest faster, pump it with all sorts of fertilizers. It’s better not to take risks and wait for ripening.

Choosing the right place to buy

It is important to choose the right place to purchase watermelon. We buy only in a store or in a tent with an awning. Dust and dirt are extremely harmful to such fruits, so we only take them from places that are relatively clean. Never buy near highways - car emissions contain many harmful substances. Avoid cut watermelons - don't forget, they are teeming with germs.

We carry out an inspection

We carefully inspect the future purchase from all sides - there should be no cracks or other damage. A good watermelon is slightly elongated, has bright stripes and shines. Rub it with your finger - if the fruit is not yet ripe, you will notice how it smells like hay.

We take you by the tail

The watermelon tail is dry. A ripe fruit stops gaining moisture and dries out quickly. Pay attention to the color - if it is green, then you should not take it; a yellowish color is preferable. There is one more difference - the ripe fruit the tail becomes brittle and can be easily torn off. With the immature the situation is the opposite. If the tails are removed, then such a seller should be approached with suspicion; he may be trying to disguise a poor-quality harvest.

Looking at the yellow spots

In a melon patch, the watermelon usually lies on its side on the ground. In the place where he touches it, a bright yellow spot appears. If it is too light or large, the fruit was probably on the melon field too little. The size of such a spot should not exceed 10 cm in diameter. Ripeness is also indicated by small light spots that form on the crust.

Let's take into account the size

We ignore large and small specimens. Large ones are rarely tasty, small ones are also often unsweetened. Ideal option– a medium-sized watermelon, so the chance that it will be tasty is high.

Listening to the sound

The oldest method of testing for maturity. Hit your fist - a ripe fruit sounds loud and clear, while an unripe fruit will respond with a dull and gloomy sound. You can also squeeze it lightly and listen - ripe watermelons crackle a little.

Checking the floor

The fetus may be a girl or a boy. In the former, the lower part is completely flat, in the latter it is more convex. There is an opinion that girls are much tastier, and they also contain fewer seeds.

Identifying chemicals

When you finally make your choice and bring a beautiful purchase home, don’t rush to try it. Rate it when you cut it appearance piece. The presence of chemicals is indicated by the following factors: very bright pulp with a lilac tint, yellow fibers in it and a glossy surface. Do not forget that any fertilizers are concentrated in the crust, so we recommend feeding children with the core. It’s safer this way, and it’s the most delicious thing in watermelon! If in doubt, ask the seller for the relevant documents. Be careful and don't make the wrong choice.

There is hardly a person who does not like watermelon. It's an integral part of summer.

However, sometimes it happens that the contents of a striped berry are upsetting. In order not to get upset, you need to learn how to choose the right watermelon. In this article we will tell you how to do this. You will learn how to choose a watermelon, and in the summer you will be able to apply your knowledge to the delight of yourself and your loved ones.

How to choose a watermelon?

Next, choose the watermelon that you like in appearance. Fortunately, there are a great variety of them on the tray, and everyone can choose the fruit to suit their taste. However, try to choose a watermelon of the correct spherical shape, slightly elongated. It is better if it is a fruit weighing 7-12 kilograms. These are often of high quality. Small watermelons will most likely turn out to be unsweetened, but in large ones you risk “finding” a sea of ​​nitrates.

Also pay attention to the weight of the fetus. Ideally, even a large watermelon should feel light. This means it is ripe and most likely juicy and sugary.

It has long been noted that watermelons, which have the most contrasting colors, are sweeter than their pale counterparts. Therefore, try to choose bright fruits with even light spots on the side. This watermelon most often turns out to be bright red in color and very sweet in taste.

Special close attention should be paid to the tail. If it is still green, then the watermelon was most likely picked unripe and will taste rather bland. Ideally, the tail should be dry; such watermelons are delivered at the end of August. The pulp of such a fruit will be ripe, juicy and very sweet.

The watermelon rind, on the contrary, should be smooth and bright. There should be no cracks or dents on it. Such a fruit will most likely turn out to be sour or completely tasteless. You shouldn’t waste your money and nerves on such a dubious purchase.

Also, to finish the process, tap the watermelon. The sound of the blow should be loud, as if the fruit might split. This watermelon will delight you with the sweetness and juiciness of the pulp. If the sound from the blow turns out to be dull and muffled, the fruit is not yet ripe and you should not buy it.

Finally, never, under any circumstances, allow a salesperson to cut your watermelon. The knife may be dirty. In addition, while you are carrying such a fruit home, bacteria and dirt may get into the cut. There is no need to risk your health.

You should not buy watermelon in close proximity to the highway, as the peel of the fruit quickly absorbs all harmful substances. The place of sale must be equipped with a table and an awning from the sun's rays.

If strange spots and dents are visible on the skin of a watermelon, most likely it was grown on “feed”, which can form harmful nitrates in the human body. These watermelons have bright red flesh with a slight purple tint. In addition, fibers that should be white turn out to be an unpleasant yellowish color.

A good watermelon should have a slightly rough, coarse cut surface. The harmful fruit has a smooth and even cut surface.

Yellow accumulations in watermelon pulp are dangerous: they often contain large amounts of harmful nitrates. Consumption of a product containing nitrates can lead to poisoning. The main signs of the latter are increased fatigue, headache and diarrhea. The temperature may also rise. The consumption of nitrates is especially dangerous for children under one year of age (since the natural protective barrier begins to form only after a year) and for nursing mothers.

How to choose a watermelon?

However, if you carefully choose a watermelon, you will not encounter such unpleasant problems. The watermelon itself is very healthy, it’s a pity that we can’t eat it all year round.

By the way, surprisingly, watermelon is considered a berry, not a fruit and not a vegetable. Coming from South America, he was loved by one and all. The pulp of watermelon contains many useful substances. So, it is rich in vitamins such as: C, A, B1 and B6. Watermelon contains beneficial carotenoids: beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein.

In addition, watermelon perfectly quenches thirst and cools during hot weather. Its juice tones, its pulp improves digestion and metabolism.

The main thing, according to the editors of the site, is to carefully choose this sweet exotic berries, - and everything will be fine.
Subscribe to our channel in Yandex.Zen

At the same time, the need arises to solve the problem - how to choose a watermelon, because identifying a juicy and tasty fruit is not so difficult. The main thing in this matter is a competent approach, otherwise there is a high risk of getting light pink pulp instead of scarlet without any good taste. How to choose a good watermelon You need to choose the right berry due to the fact that some watermelons may contain harmful substances. Poisoning with nitrates, the content of which in the fetus sometimes exceeds the norm, causes headache, nausea and vomiting. In addition, do not buy melon products near highways, because... Car exhaust contains heavy metals and harmful substances. To buy ripe fruit, take into account the following basic criteria:

Seasonality of ripening

To avoid buying unripe fruit, take into account the month in which you decide to purchase melon products. The most delicious watermelons ripen in a season that begins in mid-August and continues until the end of September. Early fruits, as a rule, are saturated with nitrates, because producers who strive to harvest the crop faster feed melons with growth stimulants and nitrogen fertilizers. If you want to enjoy healthy products without any consequences for your health, then try to be patient and take into account the period of full ripening.

Appearance

One of the signs of fruit ripeness is its appearance. Inspect it and make sure that there are bright contrasting stripes on the surface. They, like the shiny hard crust, are considered a sure sign of the ripeness of the fruit. If they are not there, then feel free to pass by and continue your search. Also, make sure that the surface of the watermelon is free of dents, soft spots, small cracks, scratches and other damage. The fact is that microbes and bacteria can easily penetrate into the fetus through them. The benefits of watermelon for fasting days when losing weight Watermelon with vodka - how to pump it with a syringe and tincture recipes. How to make a watermelon pumped up with vodka It will be good if the fruit has a slightly elongated or spherical shape, an even and uniform color - this is a huge plus in favor of choosing a specific product. Be sure to rub the crust, because... Unripe products will have a distinct smell of fresh hay. In addition, do not buy cut fruits - in this case, even the presence of certificates may not protect you from possible problems with health.

What is the sound of a ripe watermelon?

Do not forget that melons should be sold either on the store counter, or in sales tents with awnings or on special platforms located above the ground. In order not to choose an unripe or, on the contrary, overripe fruit, be sure to knock on it with your fist. Ripe watermelon makes a ringing, clear sound. If he turns out to be deaf, then refuse the purchase and continue your search. In addition, put your ear to the fruit and lightly squeeze the berry - a slight crackle is a sign of quality.

The presence of nitrates in berries

Try to choose medium-sized melons. Large fruits, despite their tempting and appetizing appearance, are often grown using nitrates. As for the small ones, they often turn out to be not very sweet, although everything will depend on the variety. Pay attention to the cut watermelon (if the seller has it). If the bones turn out to be white, then the watermelon is either unripe or contains a lot of nitrates. The seeds should be black or dark brown. Additionally, you should be alerted by the implausibly bright color of the pulp with a lilac tint. Another point that may indicate an excess of nitrates is a smooth gloss on the cut surface. Don’t forget that nitrates are concentrated closer to the crust, so leave the juicy core for your children - it’s the most delicious. You should not try a berry if its pulp is riddled with yellow or light yellow fibers.

How to recognize a good watermelon

The process of finding a berry suitable for consumption can take a lot of time, because... you have to examine the fruit from all sides and make sure there is a bright striped crust. The stalk is of particular importance. If it is not there, then there is a possibility that it was torn off on purpose, because... the goods have passed through long-term storage and long transportation. To choose delicious melons, pay attention to: a yellow spot on the side; bright striped crust; crust; ponytail; sound; "gender" (boy or girl).

Yellow spot on side

Since the fruit lies on one side, a light spot that has a yellow or orange tint forms over time at the point of contact with the surface of the earth. In another way it is also called “cheek”. You should be wary of an unevenly painted, too light or large surface. This is a sign that the berry has not been on the melon patch. The optimal size of such a spot is considered to be 5-10 cm. Another sure sign of ripeness are small light spots. They appear all over the surface watermelon rind after chlorophyll production stops.

Bright stripes on the skin

Choosing the right watermelon is a little more difficult than it might seem at first glance. Another important sign of the ripeness of melon products is the presence of contrasting stripes, and bright ones. The color should be bright green. If you don't notice them or they are only slightly visible, then continue with your choice. Better to spend it searching for tasty and ripe berries more time than to later find out that the purchase made was a waste of money.

Dense and shiny crust

The rind should be smooth and shiny, but since sellers constantly rub their products, choose a watermelon from the depths of the display. In addition, the crust must be firm, because it hardens when the fruit reaches maturity and stops absorbing water. Try to pierce the crust with your fingernail; if this fails, then this is a product of truly excellent quality. Despite its good density, such a crust can be easily scratched. Before choosing the product you are interested in, make sure that the peel does not have a matte coating and that the pattern is clear.

« The caftan itself is scarlet sugar, the caftan is green velvet.” All kids can easily guess this riddle. Juicy, sweet and velvety watermelon pulp pleasantly refreshing on a hot day, quenches thirst and is a source of vitamin C, iron, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, pectin and fiber. However, how many times have we brought home a big beautiful watermelon, gathered at the table with the whole family, cut it and... were disappointed. Instead of scarlet pulp splashing with juice, something pale pink and completely tasteless appeared before our eyes. It’s even more offensive when, after tasting a quite decent-looking watermelon, symptoms of poisoning appear - headache, nausea and vomiting. This reaction is caused by the nitrates contained in watermelons, which appeared in the process of growing the fruit due to the use large quantity mineral fertilizers.

How to choose a good ripe watermelon

It's not difficult at all if you know a few simple rules. So, let's learn how to choose the perfect watermelon, aromatic, sugary, melting in your mouth and without nitrates!

Rule 1. Look at the calendar.

The most delicious ones ripen in season, that is, from the second half of August to the end of September. Early watermelons are rich in nitrates, since some producers, in an effort to harvest the crop faster, feed melons with nitrogen fertilizers and growth stimulants. If you want to enjoy watermelon without any health consequences, be patient!

Rule 2. The meeting location cannot be changed.

It is very important where you buy your watermelon. Melons should be sold either in a store or in sales tents with awnings, on special floorings located at a height of at least 15 cm from the ground. The fact is that delicate watermelon pulp is a suitable environment for the proliferation of microorganisms that get inside through invisible cracks along with dust and dirt. All melons instantly absorb hazardous substances from the environment, so never buy them near highways, because car exhaust contains harmful substances and heavy metals. For the same reason, do not take cut watermelons, which are literally teeming with germs. In this case, even certificates will not help - an initially flawless watermelon can be very dangerous to health.

Rule 3. They greet you by their clothes.

Carefully inspect and touch the watermelon from all sides - the watermelon rind should not have even small cracks, dents, soft spots, scratches or other damage through which bacteria and microbes can easily penetrate. It’s good if the watermelon has a spherical or slightly elongated shape, a uniform and even color - this is a huge plus for the watermelon image. Bright and contrasting stripes are a sure sign of the ripeness of a watermelon, as is the shiny “wooden” rind, which cannot be pierced with a fingernail, but is easy to scratch. Rub your finger over the watermelon rind - the unripe fruit will smell like fresh hay.

Rule 4. It's all in the ponytail.

The watermelon tail must be dry - when the watermelon ripens, it stops taking moisture from the ground and dries out. If the tail is green, it means that the watermelon was picked before it is fully ripe, although the green tail of unripe fruits that were collected long ago turns yellow over time. There is an important difference between a ripe and unripe tail - a ripe watermelon has a tail that is fragile and breaks easily, while an unripe fruit has a more flaccid tail. If the tail is cut off, avoid such watermelons - most likely, the sellers decided to disguise bad quality harvest.

Rule 5. Those mysterious yellow spots.

Since it lies on one side for a long time, a light spot of a rich yellow or orange hue forms at the point of contact with the ground - it is called a “cheek”. A surface that is too light, large or unevenly colored should alert you, as this is a sure sign that the watermelon was not on the melon patch. The optimal size of the “cheek” is 5–10 cm. There is another sign of ripeness - small light spots that appear on the entire surface of the watermelon rind after the production of chlorophyll ceases.

Rule 6. Big or small?

The correct answer is average. Large watermelons, despite their tempting appearance, are often grown using nitrates, and small fruits most often unsweetened. Sometimes there are exceptions - small watermelons can be sugary and tasty, while large ones can be watery, unsweetened and pale pink.

Rule 7. Voiced and ripe.

Tap the watermelon with your fist - ripened fruits make a clear and ringing sound, while unripe watermelons respond dully. You can put your ear to a watermelon, like you would to sea ​​shell, and squeeze it slightly - a ripe watermelon will crackle slightly.

Rule 8. Girl or boy?

It turns out that watermelons have gender. In female fruits the lower part is completely flat, with a large brown circle, while in male fruits it is convex and with a very small circle. Know that the sweetest and tastiest are “girls”, and they also contain much less seeds.

Rule 9. Watermelon “passport”.

If you have found the most best watermelon and are ready to buy it, ask the seller for a quality certificate, which can be considered a kind of watermelon “passport”. The certificate must indicate the following data: the “homeland” of the watermelon, its age, that is, the timing of harvest, nitrate content and other characteristics, on the basis of which you can make a final conclusion whether or not the watermelon will be on your table. If the seller shows you a photocopy of the certificate, take a closer look at the seal - it must certainly be in color, not black and white. If you suspect false documents, do not take risks - your health is more valuable.

Rule 10."Unmasking" nitrates.

Finally, you bought the “right” watermelon, brought it home and cut it. Do not rush to taste, first make sure that the fruit is not nitrate. The following points should alert you - incredibly bright watermelon pulp with a lilac tint, yellow fibers in the pulp and a smooth gloss on the cut of the watermelon instead of a grainy surface. Remember that nitrates are concentrated closer to the crust, so always leave the juicy core for kids - it is the most delicious.

Enjoy the aromatic and sweet pulp, prepare juices from it and summer desserts which children love very much. You can also have watermelon parties fasting days and losing weight is tasty, easy and healthy. We wish you a pleasant watermelon pore and a juicy fruity mood!