Which is sweeter, watermelon or watermelon? How to choose a ripe and tasty watermelon

Watermelon attracts not only its taste. It is rich in easily digestible sugars, mainly fructose, microelements (magnesium, potassium, etc.), and pectin substances. IN watermelon a lot of folic acid- 150 g of fruit is enough to satisfy daily requirement in this vitamin. Distinctive property watermelon is his low calorie content: 100 g of the edible part of the fruit contains only 27 kilocalories. The pulp of the unique berry quenches thirst well. When it’s hot, we lose not only water, but also a number of microelements through sweat, so it’s valuable that watermelon, unlike many drinks, it replaces our losses in both liquid and microelements, and increases the body’s resistance to hot weather. Availability in watermelon large quantity fiber helps proper operation intestines, improves digestion. Fiber in watermelon gentle, 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 products of plant origin and are known for their antitumor effects. Good watermelon- valuable dietary product, which can be recommended to people of any age. It is a diuretic and choleretic agent, has a healing effect for diseases of the liver, gall bladder, kidneys and urinary tract. Delicate fiber and low acidity allows you to consume watermelons those who suffer from gastritis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach), 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 caution, it must be said, is not unfounded. Do watermelon Improper storage conditions and violation of trade rules can also be hazardous to health. Experts say the first thing to be wary of is roadside watermelon dumps where substandard goods or goods rejected by trade and sanitary inspectors are collected. According to the rules, roadside trade in melons and melons is generally prohibited, and goods must be confiscated from such points. A few hours are enough to watermelons absorbed heavy metals contained in automobile exhausts. According to the rules, the place of trade must be fenced and under a canopy. Watermelons should be laid out on sales 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-epidemiological station (SES) to trade and a medical record. Finally, a certificate of compliance of the goods sold with the requirements of the standard is required. After reviewing the certificate, you can verify the origin watermelon. In addition, the certificate controls the content mineral fertilizers, amount of radiation, heavy metals, etc. If a photocopy is made of the certificate, then you should pay attention to the seal, which must be color. If the seal is black, the certificate is fake.

No windows, no doors. The room is full of nitrates

Watermelon, like all melons, is a very grateful plant. Under certain conditions, you can manage to harvest more than one harvest of these berries in one season. But "intensive" farming, the desire to achieve quick harvest, maximum large fruits, as well as violations of the rules of transportation, storage and trade, turn a dietary product into a source of trouble. To watermelon matured faster and gained weight, craftsmen overfeed it with fertilizers, mainly nitrogen fertilizers - nitrates (salts of nitric acid: sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium nitrate). The introduction of nitrates into the soil is accompanied by their accumulation in the plant pulp. Both a lack of sun and an abundance of moisture contribute to the accumulation of nitrates. Nitrates themselves are slightly toxic, but they are precursors of N-nitroso compounds, which have the ability to cause cancer, and nitrites. The conversion of nitrates into nitrites occurs in the gastrointestinal tract with the participation of microflora. Some more of them enter the body in finished form: some of the nitrates are already in watermelon is converted to nitrite, which is favored by high humidity. With increasing shelf life, the nitrite content in watermelon increases several times. Nitrites, unlike nitrates, are toxic compounds. They disrupt the transport function of the blood, affecting hemoglobin, the carrier of oxygen 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, and excretory systems.

Clean watermelon is the key to health

Often the cause of unpleasant consequences from eating watermelons we are ourselves. On the peel watermelon Particles of soil, dust, and various microorganisms are retained, so a fruit that is not thoroughly washed can cause an intestinal infection. Should not buy watermelons with damaged rind or already cut. Bacteria quickly multiply 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 Gastrointestinal disorders may occur. In addition, it is often watermelon not eaten immediately and should be stored cut when 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, unless you personally raised it. Since the consequences of eating a low-quality product are very serious, it should not be offered to children under 2 years of age. How younger child, the less protected his body is from adverse effects - microbes, nitrates, toxins, the more severe the consequences can be. For older children watermelon It is advisable to offer it during its natural ripening period - at the end of August, in the fall. By this date watermelons already ripen without fertilizers, and taste qualities they are much higher during this period. For a child 2-3 years old, 80-100 g is enough watermelon, for a child 3-6 years old - 100-150 g. Poor quality watermelon may cause distress gastrointestinal tract. The time of their appearance ranges from 1-2 hours to 1-2 days after consuming the product. The younger the child is, the earlier they can occur. External manifestations of disorders: weakness, lethargy, headache, fever, paroxysmal abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, stool disorder, which can lead to dehydration. Depending on the amount of harmful agent that has entered the body, on age and individual resistance, the disease can occur in different forms. At mild form weakness, lethargy, nausea, 1-2 times vomiting and (or) 1-2 times loose stools are observed. Severe disorders in the functioning of organs and systems are accompanied by severe weakness, headache, high temperature, repeated vomiting and loose stools, leading to dehydration. Before the doctor arrives, the child must be given assistance. The main goal is to give the baby as much water as possible and thereby reduce the manifestations of the disease. Frequent small drinks are necessary. When a child vomits, they are fed with a teaspoon or even a pipette. It is better to add REHYDRON, GASTROLIT, ENTERODEZ to your drink - specialized compounds for restoring the loss of not only fluid, but also salts. Medicines that can attract harmful substances to themselves and remove them from the body (sorbents) are used - SMEKTA, ENTEROSGEL, POLIFEPAM. For abdominal pain, it is necessary to give medications that relieve intestinal spasms - NO-SHPU, PAPAVERINE, but in no case painkillers (analgesics), such as analgin. It should be remembered that under the guise 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. A late diagnosis can lead to severe complications and can be costly for the child’s health. After a qualified examination, the pediatrician will prescribe necessary therapy. In severe cases of the disease, the child may require systematic medical supervision and care in a hospital setting.

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

Before you cut watermelon, do not forget to wash it thoroughly warm water with soap.
Cut watermelon store only in the refrigerator.
IN different parts plants accumulate nitrates unevenly. Research shows that in watermelons The most poisonous pulp is that of the peel, which is about 3 cm thick, so it is better to offer the child the part that is closer to the core.
When enjoying your favorite product, know when to stop. Balance the quantity watermelon and the age of the child.

Watermelon is valuable and delicious product, capable of delivering true pleasure. But only if it is grown correctly, stored correctly, sold correctly and eaten correctly.

How to store watermelon

Watermelons are possible long time store in fresh. At proper storage it can decorate the table not only with 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 in a net and hang in the dark cool place, better in the cellar, at a temperature no higher than +5 C so that it does not touch anything. You can, of course, get by with a dark closet in your apartment, but in this case watermelon will only last until the end of the year.

How to choose watermelon. Let's learn to choose watermelons!

To watermelon brought joy and pleasure, we must remember: best time for purchase watermelon in Russia it is the end of summer and autumn.
Watermelon should be purchased in places specially designed for trade, in stores, and not in spontaneous markets.
From watermelons it is better to choose one variety and one batch watermelon large, but not gigantic. The larger and lighter watermelon, the riper it is. When choosing watermelons Too small and too large should be avoided.
A dry tail is a sign of ripeness. Having matured, watermelon First of all, he “switches off” from the melon - his tail dries out. Then the unnecessary pigment chlorophyll, which captures sunlight and ensures the respiration and development of plants, ceases to be produced, and under the influence of light, light spots appear. This is a sure sign that watermelon ripe.
A light spot on the side that has rested watermelon, should be as yellow as possible, even orange.
The striped crust should be as contrasting as possible.
Ripe watermelon necessarily covered with a hard, shiny crust, which is difficult to pierce with a fingernail, and all because, having “broken” with the melon, watermelon no longer able to absorb moisture and its crust hardens. But if the nail pierces easily watermelon New skin means the fruit is raw, unripe. You can also rub the peel and smell: the smell of freshly cut grass also indicates substandard quality.
Ripe watermelon always springs under impact and sometimes resonates when tapped. If you knock on it, you hear not a dull sound, but a clear, ringing sound.
Can be attached watermelon to your ear and squeeze it with your hands as hard as you can. U ripe berries the peel will bend a little and crack.
. To check watermelon for ripeness, they throw it into the water, if it floats up, it means ripe.
Watermelon is a bisexual berry. In the “male” individual, the bottom of the berry is convex, and the circle on it is small. “Girls” have a flatter bottom and a wider circle. “Girls” are considered tastier: they have fewer seeds 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 it sparkles in grains;
Grind a piece watermelon pulp in a glass of water. If watermelon good, the water will just become cloudy. If watermelon"harmful", the water will turn red or pink.

Early products usually contain more nitrates than in late summer or autumn. Although this depends not only on the season, but also on watering and growing conditions. Acceptable rate nitrates in watermelons- 60 mg per 1 kg.

The end of summer is coming, which means it’s time for delicious and sweet watermelons. By the way, did you know that the fruits of this annual herbaceous plant are morphologically considered a berry?! In this short instruction I want to tell you how to choose the right one ripe watermelon so that it is ripe and sweet. Since childhood, many people believe that the ripeness of a watermelon can be determined by its sound, or rather by its knocking sound. The ripe one has a duller sound. And if you press on it, it will crunch. And if the knock is loud, then it is not yet ripe.
In fact, there are many more signs of watermelon ripeness. Let's look at them all.

There is a dry tail on a ripe watermelon

The tail of a watermelon indicates its ripeness: green indicates that the fruit was picked too early and its taste will no longer be as juicy. The one with the already dried hard tail will be ripe.

And if you are lucky and you are in a melon patch, then to choose a guaranteed ripe watermelon will be the one with a dry tendril on the stalk. Here he is:

By this criterion, professional melon pickers determine a ripe watermelon when they load them into transport.

How to determine maturity by an earthen spot

While the fruit is growing, it lies on the ground and this part of it is yellowish in color. It's called "Earth Spot". So, the ripest, and therefore very sweet, watermelon will be the one whose earthen spot is closer to dark yellow or even orange. How greener fruit, the lighter the spot, closer to white color. Here's a clear example:

On the right is the “correct” watermelon. But the one on the left was picked too early and it’s not ripe, which means it’s not worth taking.

Looking for the right watermelon using a bee's web

If you inspect watermelons in a store when purchasing, the so-called “bee web” will help you find the sweetest one. Here she is:

These are small brown spots, somewhat reminiscent of a spider's web. They tell us that during pollination the bees often touched the ovary of the fruit, that is, pollination occurred very intensively, which means the fruit will be sugary!

Boy or girl?

Do you know that watermelons are also differentiated by gender? “Men” are distinguished by a narrower and elongated shape. They have large seeds, and the taste is not very bright, but the pulp itself is very, very juicy. “Girls” are smaller and rounder. They seem to be flattened. They are very sweet rich taste and small seeds.

A big watermelon is a ripe watermelon!

Another way to choose ripe and sweet watermelon- This is to look for medium-sized specimens weighing from 6 to 10 kilograms. Moreover, a good fruit is always quite heavy for its size.

The largest specimens are also not worth taking. The fact is that even “local” fruits (that is, grown in Russia) weighing more than 15 kilograms are pumped to capacity with nitrates. Unfortunately, the nitrate content cannot be determined by eye.

Try to buy watermelons in trusted places. The retail outlet must be equipped with a tray for these fruits and covered with an awning. Alternatively, a covered truck. It’s clearly not worth buying watermelons piled up on the ground, and even next to the road.
Most delicious watermelon It should also be beautiful in appearance - shiny, not flaccid, without cracks, dents or scratches. The stripes are clear and contrasting. Through damage to the rind, dirt and bacteria enter the fruit and this can not only spoil the taste, but also cause an upset stomach.
Many sellers offer to cut out a piece of watermelon you like to try. You shouldn't do this. As a rule, sellers do not wash knives and introduce unnecessary bacteria into the fruit, which is why it can quickly disappear.

In terms of the content of folic acid, which regulates the balance of chemical processes and affects the processes of blood formation, this tasty pumpkin is a leader among other fruits, vegetables and berries. 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 substances normalize digestion. Until recently, watermelon was considered a berry. However, watermelon is now classified as part of the Cucurbitaceae family. But many people know it as a berry.

Microelements (potassium and magnesium) affect intracellular conductivity and help with edema and hypertension. Watermelon also contains small amounts of vitamins B1, B2, PP and C. The list of diseases for which the use of watermelons is indicated is significant.

When to buy watermelon

Since watermelon is a seasonal product, some unscrupulous producers, trying to get maximum profits, use excessive amounts of fertilizers: sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium nitrates. Their excess accumulates in the watermelon pulp. However, sometimes weather conditions without human intervention transform valuable product into a time bomb. During a rainy summer, a lover of the hot sun risks becoming nitrate.

This is why it is better to refrain from buying watermelon at the beginning of the season. Wait until the watermelon ripens in natural conditions. The time when Astrakhan and Volgograd watermelons reach technical ripeness occurs in the second half of August - early September. There are, of course, early varieties that also grow in the Krasnodar Territory and Stavropol Territory, but no one can guarantee that they have ripened on their own.

Where to buy watermelon

I have already written how to recognize deception using scales (body kit). When choosing a watermelon, pay attention to how the outlet is equipped. Watermelons should be placed on special trays or ventilated nets, under an awning or canopy. Resist the temptation to buy juicy fruit at roadside stands along the way. Watermelon absorbs harmful substances very quickly. A couple of hours on the highway - and heavy metals from the exhaust gases are already in the tender pulp. And a mountain of watermelons usually lies for several days before they are completely sold. And on the highways they often sell substandard goods, documents for which in most cases are missing.

Don't buy stripers if they are lying 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 and multiply there rapidly. It’s better not to know how your encounter with their population might end.

It’s a good idea to ask for a certificate for the product and inquire about the availability of a health certificate from the seller (even if you seem like a bore, you will remain a healthy bore). Also, do not buy watermelon in the supermarket - they are usually delivered there unripe.

Choosing the right watermelon

If the outlet is equipped according to all the rules and there are all Required documents, you can, in fact, begin to select fruits, doing this 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 shouldn't take the largest watermelon in the lot.
From two berries of the same size the one that is lighter is sweeter and riper.

Appearance of the peel. Evaluate what the fruit you like looks like. Stripes should be contrasting(if it is a variety that provides for their presence). Blurred ones indicate the unnaturalness of its ripening.
You need to take a watermelon with a glossy skin. A dull peel may indicate the use of nitrates.
Good watermelon without external damage. The peel should not have any flaws, cracks or scratches.
If the rind can be pierced with a fingernail and smells like freshly cut grass when rubbed, the watermelon is unripe.
The contact patch with the ground 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 ripeness of the berry. But it can dry out and is still stored before sale. You need to pay attention to halo under ponytail- a ripe watermelon has it keratinized.
The sex of the specimen is determined by the bottom on the side opposite the tail. The “girl” has a wider one. The girl watermelon is sweeter and has fewer seeds.
Squeeze and tap test. Remember, in the cartoon “Well, wait a minute!” Did the hippopotamus choose the watermelon in this way? Apparently watermelons are in a cartoon point of sale were immature if he liked the wolf's head better. Ripe fruit makes a dull resonating sound when tapped, and cracks when squeezed with hands. The accuracy of such a diagnosis still depends on the availability of certain experience.
Buy only whole watermelon . When buying half a watermelon, you run the risk of acquiring bacteria from the knife or the seller’s hands.
And... listen to your intuition ;).

Home inspection

What is watermelon poisoning, I wish you didn’t know. IN best case scenario you risk 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. Even a child can check at home whether watermelon contains nitrates. The simplest test coupled with external signs They will give away the deceiver with his head.

The appearance of the rind and its condition are easy to consider before purchasing, but the pulp can tell a lot about the berry. You can also assess its condition at a retail outlet if there is a watermelon cut in half on the display case for a sample.

Signs of excess nitrate levels:

yellowish veins running from the center to the crust (normally they are white);
perfectly smooth, smooth flesh when cut (in the correct one, the grainy structure is clearly visible);
rich flesh color;
a piece filled with water turns it pink or red (in the absence of nitrates, the water simply becomes cloudy).

If the watermelon passed the tests with dignity and proved that it is as pure as a baby’s tear, and at the same time turns out to be ripe and tasty, it makes sense to return to the seller and take a small batch for storage.

Storing watermelons

For long-term storage You should purchase small fruits (4-5 kg) with dry tails and small yellow spots on the sides. 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 a suspended state. High humidity will be a plus; such an environment prevents the loss of moisture from the fruits. Optimal temperature storage +5 °C. But even with more warm conditions Watermelons store well, but you will have to eat them faster. At good conditions storage, it is quite possible to preserve watermelons until the New Year.

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

We all love to eat delicious and juicy striped berries that can satiate, quench thirst, and improve well-being.

But not everyone knows how to choose a watermelon, and meanwhile, this procedure has its own characteristics, which we will discuss in this article. After all, having bought a beautiful, ripe-looking fruit, and cutting it, you will feel considerable disappointment due to the unripe or tasteless pulp.

But this is not so bad, but if the watermelon is also of poor quality, problems with well-being will not keep you waiting long. To avoid this, pay due attention to its choice.

Now there are more than 1000 varieties of watermelons, each of which is unique in its own way. They differ in appearance, size, color and are conventionally divided into 3 varieties. The most popular and widespread watermelon is the common one. We will consider how to select and store it.

To buy a ripe, juicy and tasty watermelon, you should thoroughly know what to look for when choosing. Otherwise, you risk wasting your money by buying a beautiful but tasteless watermelon.

When to buy watermelon: ripening season

You can see big, beautiful watermelons on supermarket shelves in the middle of summer. But most likely they were grown with the help of special additives that are harmful to the body.

We remember natural season Watermelons ripen in late August - early September.

During this period, you should buy them, and not try to buy an early watermelon “stuffed” with nitrates.

Where to buy watermelon

Buy watermelons at retail outlets that have permission to sell melons. When making a purchase, make sure that the fruits are on the flooring. The height of the decking above the floor is at least 15 centimeters. They protect watermelons from dust, dirt and bacteria that can penetrate into fruits lying on the ground or asphalt, because the pulp of the berry is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.

It is strictly forbidden to buy watermelons on the side of the roads. They absorb dust and other harmful substances well. You run the risk of buying a great-looking watermelon that has a quality certificate, but contains substances hazardous to health.

Availability of a certificate for watermelons

Watermelons must have a quality certificate. When choosing a watermelon, ask the seller to present documents for the goods. The certificate must indicate the percentage of harmful substances and mineral fertilizers in the watermelon.

If you have presented not the original, but a photocopy of the document, make sure there is a seal on it, pay attention to its color - the seal must be color. If it is black, the certificate may be fake, which means the quality of the watermelons is in question and you should not buy them.

No damage to the watermelon

When choosing a watermelon, make sure that it is intact and free of damage and cracks. Bacteria that are harmful to health penetrate into the berries through damage.

You should also not buy cut watermelon for the same reason.

Attention! The sale of cut watermelons is prohibited by law.

Watermelon size

There is an opinion that the ripeness of a watermelon is related to its size. But this is fundamentally wrong, because you can buy a large, but tasteless watermelon.

Choose a medium-sized watermelon. By adhering to this rule, you will definitely be satisfied with your purchase. After all, it is better to buy a tasty and juicy medium-sized fruit than a giant one with a mediocre taste.

Watermelon rind and degree of striping

One of the indicators of a ripe watermelon is a shiny, hard rind. When choosing a fruit, press a little on it with your fingernail; if the peel is not pierced, the watermelon is good. A ripened watermelon stops receiving moisture and the rind hardens.

A watermelon with clear, numerous stripes will also be ripe.

And one more secret - rub the peel, sniffing it. If the smell is grassy, the watermelon is not yet fully ripe.

Yellow side and dry watermelon tail

A watermelon ripened in the field lies on one side. A light spot will definitely appear on it. If the berry is fully ripe, the spot will be yellow and rich. A light spot also appears after the watermelon tail dries out.

The dry tail of a watermelon is another indicator of its ripeness. But we take into account that it also occurs in unripe watermelons, but long since picked from melons. Pay attention to a dry tail only in conjunction with all other signs.

Bottom of watermelon and its sound

Watermelon is a bisexual berry. The bottom of the “female” variety is flat, with a wide circle, while the bottom of the “male” variety is convex. When choosing a watermelon, pay attention to its “gender”. The “female” variety is the most delicious.

Lightly tap the watermelon you like. A ringing sound indicates that the watermelon is ripe. If the sound is dull, put the watermelon aside and look for another fruit.

Another effective way– try to squeeze the watermelon with your hands, putting your ear to it. If the berry is ripe, the peel should crack slightly and bend. If this does not happen, the fruit is unripe.

By observing these simple rules, you can choose a ripe, juicy, tasty watermelon, which will be a pleasure to feast on.

A brief algorithm of actions when choosing a watermelon

Buy watermelon during its ripening season, which occurs at the end of August - beginning of September. It is not recommended to purchase early berries.
Make a purchase at a specialized retail outlet. Never buy watermelons on the side of the road, they can cause serious health problems.
Check out the certificate for watermelons; if it is missing, or its authenticity is in doubt, buy the watermelon elsewhere.
Carefully check the watermelon you like for damage, evaluate the size, hardness of the rind, the degree of striping, the presence of a yellow side and a dry tail. Look at the bottom of the fruit. Tap the fruit.

If you do not notice any damage, the documents are in order and trading place properly equipped, make your purchase with confidence.

Several useful rules for storing watermelons

Excellent taste depends not only on knowledge of how to choose a ripe watermelon, but also on the conditions for its subsequent storage. After all, not everyone eats it right away; many intend to save the watermelon and enjoy it in the winter, during the New Year holidays.

When storing watermelon, follow these recommendations:

Choose a medium-sized fruit with a spot on the side for storage.
It is recommended to store cut watermelon in the refrigerator.
The best place to store watermelon is a dark cellar. Temperature – no more than +5 degrees. Taking a net, place the watermelon in it and hang it so that it does not touch anything.

Watermelon is a tasty berry that is healthy for the body. If you choose it correctly, adhering to the recommendations and tips listed above, you will fully enjoy its taste and be sure that it will not cause harm to your health.

Summer is in full swing! Vegetables and, of course, melons 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 melons in the Astrakhan region have ripened naturally. Due to the extreme heat, the harvest began earlier than usual.

So, you've come for a watermelon. First of all, do not rely on the advice and suggestions of sellers, but carefully inspect the product. The best proof of quality is a certificate of product compliance with the standard requirements. Every seller is required to have it on hand. If the document has all the signatures and seals, you can safely buy. However, in practice we know that most traders do not have a certificate or refuse to display it. Then our advice and your attentiveness will come to the rescue.

1) The watermelon rind 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. The ideal place for selling watermelons is a tent well protected from the sun's rays with trays for berries and stationary scales. Watermelons should be located at least 15 cm above the ground.

3) Under no circumstances take berries near the highway! A picked watermelon “breathes,” which means it absorbs road dust and gases.

4) Quality fruit should have a yellow spot, which indicates that this is where the watermelon came into contact with the ground and ripened on a melon patch under the sun.

5) Contrary to popular belief, never rely on a dry tail, this means that the watermelon has survived long-term storage.

6) There is no need to ask to cut a watermelon to determine its ripeness. By doing this, you open a corridor for microbes, which 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' families. Give preference to medium-sized berries; as a rule, they are the ripest.

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

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

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

12) And finally, do not neglect widely in a known way watermelon checks. Tap the berry you like! If the watermelon is ripe early, you will hear a hollow sound. If you buy watermelon at the end of the season, there should be a ringing sound.

13) If you have put all our advice into practice, congratulations. When you bring home a sweet and ripe watermelon, remember the rules for storing it. Before eating, be sure to wash the watermelon with soap and a washcloth to remove dirt and dust from the rind.

14) An untouched watermelon can remain 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 cool, dark place such as a cellar or refrigerator.

15) When storing a half-eaten watermelon, place it cut side down on a plate and wrap it on top. cling film, so it will stay fresh longer.