How to keep watermelon fresh and tasty until the New Year? How to store watermelons at home.

Both adults and children love watermelons. But, unfortunately, it’s easy to get poisoned if you don’t know about the rules for storing watermelon. How long can a cut watermelon be stored and how to properly preserve a whole berry until winter - let's try to figure it out.

Watermelons are considered a durable product when it comes to storage. Some varieties can last up to 3 months! A cut watermelon, on the contrary, is very whimsical. If you don’t know the terms and rules for storing it, you can easily get poisoned by watermelon; children especially often suffer from such poisoning.

Watermelon for the winter

As already stated, whole watermelon can stay fresh and tasty for up to three months. If you decide to treat yourself to this product for the New Year, you need to meet all the conditions proper storage watermelon

1. If in the summer, we try to choose thin-skinned watermelon, then for long storage Watermelons with thick skin, which are late-ripening varieties, are suitable.
2. When buying a watermelon, carefully examine the berry: the peel should be smooth - without dents (this is important, since the place of the dent quickly deteriorates), and there should also be no scuffs or damage.
3. If you have a cellar, then you won’t find a better place to store watermelons for the winter. If not, you will have to think about how to create optimal conditions:

Storage temperature should be + 1-3 degrees;
- do not simply store watermelons on the floor - place bags or a blanket under them (the fabric should be natural), straw will also work well;
- distribute the watermelons so that they do not touch;
- it is advisable that the room in which you are going to store watermelons is cool and dark;
- Turn the fruits over from time to time.

How long to store cut watermelon

The main rule that everyone should remember: it is better to buy a watermelon of a size that you can eat at a time. Unfortunately, cut watermelon cannot be stored for a long time. Namely, the shelf life ripe berries- up to 2 days in the refrigerator. If you cut a watermelon and leave it warm - on the table, for example, then after an hour it is no longer suitable for consumption. It is better not to eat such watermelon - it is fraught with poisoning.

What to do if you haven’t eaten the whole watermelon, but it’s a pity to throw away the remaining half?

1. Do not leave the cut watermelon in the heat: the pulp of the watermelon quickly oxidizes, pathogenic bacteria begin to multiply in it, and nitrates turn into dangerous nitrites.
2. Store the cut fruit exclusively in the cold: in the refrigerator.
3. Even in the cold, store watermelon for no more than two days. But after just a day, it is better for children and pregnant women to refrain from eating watermelon.
4. If you leave the watermelon in the refrigerator for more than 2 hours, be sure to place it on a plate cut side down and wrap the top with cling film
5. Keep watermelon away from other foods. especially strong smelling ones. Watermelon easily absorbs foreign odors, and as a result the taste will be spoiled.

Watermelon– everyone’s favorite fresh delicacy that nature gives us. It is rich in microelements, vitamins and other substances beneficial to the body. How to properly store watermelons so that they do not become unusable and preserve their properties as much as possible unique properties? This article brings to your attention systematic material on this topic.

How to choose a watermelon

To ensure long-term storage, follow our rules:

Don't buy fruit early in the season. The end of September is the best time to stock up on watermelons.
If you grow watermelons yourself, let the fruits ripen naturally and do not overuse fertilizers that accelerate ripening. After all, watermelon pulp absorbs all harmful elements very quickly. Also note that too rainy summers and lack of sun can cause a significant amount of nitrates to appear in the pulp of watermelons;
Do not purchase berries at random sales points near roads or if the fruits are placed directly on the ground without appropriate flooring or trays, as well as without a canopy (exposure to direct sunlight leads to rapid overripening). Microcracks in the skin of a watermelon allow microbes to quickly penetrate into the pulp if the picked fruit is stored directly on the ground, and heavy metals from exhaust gases are absorbed into the fruits offered at roadside sales points literally within a couple of hours;
Ask the seller if there is a certificate for the product and a health book;
Do not buy watermelons in large supermarkets - as a rule, unripe fruits are delivered there;
For long-term storage try to choose medium-sized watermelons weighing from four to five kilograms;
A ripe watermelon is distinguished by a dry tail and a keratinized halo underneath. Please note that the ponytail itself may dry out during storage, so be sure to pay attention to the condition of the halo;
The spot from contact with the ground should be small and different yellow. White spots indicate the presence of nitrates in the watermelon;
If the fruit variety suggests the presence of stripes, pay attention to their clarity and contrast - blurry stripes also indicate the presence of nitrates in the pulp;
Choose watermelons without external damage - cracks, scratches and other defects;
Pay attention to the peel, it should be glossy. A matte peel, again, indicates the presence of nitrates;
Choose ripe watermelon: the peel of a ripe fruit cannot be pierced with a fingernail, and when rubbing against the peel of such a watermelon, the smell of freshly cut grass should not be present. The presence of such an odor indicates the immaturity of the fetus. Ripeness can also be determined by tapping, while a ripe watermelon makes a dull resonating sound, and when squeezed with your hands, such a fruit cracks slightly;
Of two watermelons of the same size, the one that weighs less is sweeter. Also, on the opposite side of the tail, a halo of wider diameter indicates the “female sex” of the fruit - this watermelon is sweeter and contains fewer seeds.

Conditions and terms of storage of watermelon

Your berries

If you are growing melons yourself, then watermelons for storage should be removed from the vines about five days before normal ripeness. Try to do this carefully so as not to damage the fruits.
For transportation to the storage location, use boxes with soft bedding.
It is strictly not recommended to transport watermelons in bulk in several layers.

Store-bought berries

photo of watermelon:

If you purchase watermelons from distributors, we recommend that you first conduct a so-called home inspection to determine the quality of the fruit. To do this, rate appearance pulp.

Normal fetus has white streaks radiating from the center to the rind. Yellow veins indicate that the fruit is old or overripe or has been treated with nitrates.

Normal appearance of pulp suggests a grainy structure, while a perfectly even cut indicates an excess amount of nitrates. This is also indicated by too rich color pulp. In addition, you can pour water over a piece of watermelon - if it just turns cloudy, then everything is fine with the pulp. If the water turns red or pink, be careful! These fruits contain chemicals.

Before storage, each watermelon must be thoroughly washed, dried and placed in a soft net.
Hanging storage – best option. A plus will also be high humidity in the room for storing watermelons, since such an environment prevents the loss of moisture from the fruit.
The optimal temperature for storage is plus six degrees Celsius.

If you follow these recommendations, you will be able to keep watermelons in excellent condition until the New Year.

In essence, proper storage consists of observing three basic rules:

correct choice of fruits;
the right time to harvest;
optimal storage conditions.

For long-term storage of watermelons, the following recommendations are used:

stable temperature 6-8 degrees Celsius;
relative air humidity 60-80%;
suitable varieties:
- the most preferred and resistant to long-term maturation are the varieties “Popovka” and “Astrakhanskiy striped”;
- slightly less suitable for storage are “Melitopolsky 143”, “Astrakhansky Marble” and “Bykovsky 15”.

How long can watermelon be stored?

The average shelf life of suitable fruits under proper conditions is three months.

Other varieties that correspond to the slow conversion of sugars are also suitable for storage. These are fruits that are characterized by late ripening and high content pectin in pulp. They for a long time retain a significant amount of moisture and maintain the elasticity of the fruit. Good in this regard Volga, Central Asian and late Caucasian varieties of watermelons.

Long-term storage of watermelons involves more than just hanging them.

They can also be stored on shelves or in drawers using dried mats. It is strictly not recommended to store fruits in the same room with potatoes or other vegetables. It is better to equip a separate dry room with good ventilation. Before storing watermelons, it is recommended to cover them with tops or straw for a day to “exfoliate,” that is, dehydrate the bark.

Immediately before storing, the fruits should be pollinated with 2% lime. We recommend placing the most common thermometer and hygrometer in the room. During storage, fruits need daily inspection: if you find that some fruit is much lighter than others, you should immediately remove it from storage. It is also necessary to regularly inspect watermelons for fungi and rot.

How to store watermelon at home?

Do you live in a city apartment and are wondering how to preserve a watermelon?

In the refrigerator;
on the balcony;
in the mezzanine;
in the bathroom;
in any dark room;
in the pantry - all these options are perfect for a city apartment or for a private house.

The desired temperature for storing watermelons at home is from five to eight degrees Celsius. This will also preserve the watermelons for a long time. three months subject to at least part of the rules described above. If stored at higher temperatures or temperatures below the specified criteria, watermelons should be consumed within one to one and a half months. Even if the fruits do not spoil in this case, they taste qualities and the appearance of the pulp will leave the best.

When storing fruits at home, it should be taken into account that seedless varieties of watermelons are stored longer and better. This is due to the fact that the dissolution of the intercellular substance (maceration) begins from the seminal chambers. This is especially true for seeds that have not had time to ripen.

How to store ripe watermelon?

Moderately ripe fruits just recommended for storage. But if you purchased an overripe fruit, it should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than three days. When buying a watermelon, be sure to tap on the surface of the rind: the duller the sound, the riper the berry will be, and, conversely, the louder the sound when tapped, the higher the likelihood that you are purchasing an unripe fruit.

Do watermelons ripen during storage? When purchasing a watermelon, remember that during storage the fruit does not ripen. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase only ripe berries for storage. An unripe watermelon can wither and rot much faster than its ripe counterpart.

A prerequisite for such storage is a perfectly clean and uniform surface of the fruit peel without signs of damage, as well as the need to change the water once or twice a month. This way you can store watermelon for a long time in the refrigerator.

Storing processed watermelons

The method of storing fresh cut watermelons does not require more than three days in the refrigerator. In addition, we advise you not to purchase cut products, as the sweet, tasty and juicy pulp is very attractive to bacteria. It is unlikely that you can guarantee one hundred percent that in supermarkets offering a similar product, hygiene requirements are strictly observed in the process of cutting watermelons.

How to store salted watermelons?

Salted watermelon is an interesting dish in terms of taste. Many gourmets prefer salted watermelon all other snacks. If you do not have the opportunity to preserve fresh watermelon at home, then pickling or pickling is just what you are looking for! Canned watermelon Can be prepared in jars and stored for up to a year. Pickled watermelons are stored for a very long time, but home canning In principle, it is not recommended to store food prepared using marinades for more than one and a half years.

You are unlikely to be able to preserve salted watermelons in a barrel until spring. And this is connected not only with conditional shelf life - watermelons will simply be eaten with pleasure long before the restrictive dates. To pickle watermelons, use a cellar or refrigerator. Salting in cellar storage conditions involves the use of wooden barrels. Salted watermelons in jars (without using vinegar!) should be stored exclusively in the refrigerator or cellar.

Pickled watermelons

Their storage also requires the presence of a cellar or refrigerator (similar to pickling). Fruits can be fermented both in barrels and in jars. In fact, pickling watermelons is no different from pickling, but only involves adding spices, for example, herbs and ginger. The shelf life is similar - pickled watermelons must be consumed before spring.

How to preserve watermelon for the New Year's table?

Is it possible to save a watermelon until the New Year? Of course, you can, if you use the recommendations given here related to the choice suitable fruit and correct storage conditions. If your goal is a watermelon on the New Year's table, we recommend that you purchase several fruits from different suppliers. When purchasing, be sure to inquire about the berry variety and choose exclusively late varieties.

How to preserve watermelon until the New Year?

You can place watermelons on the balcony, in the refrigerator or in the pantry, carefully observing the recommended temperature conditions. Storing watermelons at home in winter raises quite a few questions, since the temperature in the apartment does not meet the necessary parameters. The easiest way to save a purchased watermelon until winter holiday– put it in the refrigerator.

Video: How to properly store watermelon before the main winter holiday

However, there are other methods:

storage in straw;
in wax or paraffin;
in the ashes;
in clay or alabaster;
in the sand.

If you are planning to save fresh watermelon for the New Year's table, carefully study our recommendations and do not hesitate to use them. When storing watermelons on the balcony, remember that an uninsulated cold balcony is not suitable for this. A frozen watermelon will not bring you any pleasure, either tastefully or aesthetically.

Storing watermelons in a summer cottage

How to store watermelons in the cellar?

To store watermelons in a cellar, you need to monitor the temperature. The most suitable temperature is 6-8 degrees Celsius. When storing fruits on racks, it is recommended to lay them in one layer, placing straw, chaff, pine needles or dry peat under them. Periodically, watermelons must be turned over and inspected to avoid bedsores. Storage at higher temperatures can lead to damage various diseases, for example, anthracnose and gray mold.

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One of the favorite delicacies of many Slavs are melons, namely sweet berry- watermelon. Except good taste, it has many useful substances, vitamins and microelements. You can enjoy this fruit only at the height of the season. But how to preserve watermelon and store it for long-term storage without losing its taste? This product is short-lived and cannot be stored for more than three months, but knowing the secrets, you can preserve the sunny fruits longer. These rules are simple and if you follow them, then your New Year's table will decorate with a delicious watermelon. To do this, you need to prepare, because the sunny berry must not only survive, but also retain its sweetness and juiciness. So let's figure out how to store watermelons and melons correctly.

Watermelon selection

The first thing you need to do is give preference the right variety. To preserve watermelon until the New Year, they take late fruits. The later they ripen, the longer the berries can be stored. When laying, check for cracks, scratches and dents - such fruits will not be stored for long. The selection is based on several criteria:

You need to buy late-ripening varieties that ripen no earlier than mid-September and do not have;
at home, fruits with thick rind varieties are preserved late date ripening: Stokes, Volzhsky, Astrakhan, Gift of Kholodov, Chill, Icarus, Blagodatny, Dessert;
the peel of the berry should be shiny and elastic;
unripe watermelons are stored better and ripen well during storage;
the fruit must not be wrinkled, scratched or cracked;
You cannot buy melons along the roads. The bright sun and exhaust fumes from passing cars are not beneficial, worsening the taste and reducing shelf life;
for purchase, select sales points with canopies, where the fruits lie in one layer, and the seller has a health book and a quality certificate for the products;
The weight of the fetus should be between 4-5 kg. It is better not to take large specimens;
at the beginning of the melon crops sales season, most of the fruits are stuffed with chemicals and are not worth buying;
When grown on a plot, watermelon is allowed to ripen on its own; fertilizers are used as little as possible. And we must remember that during rainy weather nitrates are formed in the fruits;
buying in supermarkets is a bad option, they are brought there unripe, and the taste leaves much to be desired;
to check ripeness, look at the dryness of the tail and the halo underneath it. The ripe berry has a small yellow spot;
the stripes on the peel should be clear and contrasting. Nitrates cause blurriness;
a small watermelon is sweeter than a large one;
“female” fruits are tastier than “male” ones and contain fewer seeds, and you can distinguish them like this: the “female” watermelon has a wider halo opposite the tail on the other side of the fruit;
Late-ripening varieties grown on the site are harvested a week before full ripening and transported carefully, in a box on soft bedding in one layer and sheltered from the scorching sun.
Touching and rearranging stored kavunas must be done carefully and preferably while wearing cotton gloves.

How long does watermelon last?

Subject to necessary conditions The shelf life of watermelon is up to three months. Melon fruits are well preserved because they ripen late and have a lot of pectin in their pulp. They retain moisture while remaining elastic. To preserve a watermelon until the New Year, you must comply with the following conditions and recommendations:

The right choice of the right variety.
Harvest on time.
Proven storage methods.

Utility storage rooms

Not everyone knows how to store watermelons in the cellar. For good preservation there should be a temperature of 4 degrees and humidity no higher than 85%. This mode allows you to preserve taste and juiciness. Dampness and high temperature promote the process of decay. There must be ventilation in the room. It is not advisable to keep other vegetables (potatoes, cabbage) together with melons.

Before laying, the fruits are pollinated with a 2% lime solution and covered with straw for a day so that the bark is dehydrated.

The berries are stored hanging, on racks and in boxes on soft bedding. Different materials are used as bedding:

covered with sand or fine wood ash;
covered with dry forest moss, it absorbs moisture, is soft and safe;
coated with liquid clay, wax, paraffin or alabaster with a layer of at least 1 cm; this coating does not allow air, light and moisture to pass through, and increases shelf life.
covered with straw on all sides;
wrapped in thin material, placed in mesh string bags and hung from the ceiling.

The fruits are inspected every day, checking for safety and the presence of rot. If there is no visible damage, but the fruit seems lighter than the others, it is removed.

Where to store watermelon in an apartment

Long-term storage of watermelons room temperature impossible. It can last longer if the fruit is kept in the refrigerator, in the bottom drawer, first wrapped in several layers of newspapers (but not glossy magazines). In this case, every other day the watermelon is turned over.

Cut watermelon can be stored for no more than two days.

Pre-frozen fruit will last longer and will lose some of its nutrients. Storage racks can be arranged on a loggia or glazed balcony with a temperature not below zero. The conditions are the same as in the basement: the fruits are laid in one row on a soft substrate or hung in nets. The kavuns are placed in boxes, sprinkled with grain or sand and placed on the floor in a cool place.

Bathrooms or mezzanines are suitable for storing melons. The chosen location should be ventilated, dark and cool. You can also store watermelon for a month in a container with water, which is changed every day.

On-site storage

If a large harvest of melons has grown on the site, but there are no necessary premises, then they dig a deep hole in the ground, lay straw or hay on the bottom and lay watermelons treated with lime mortar. The top is covered with shavings and then with earth. This way, melons are stored for a long time, but it is difficult to check the harvest periodically - this is the disadvantage of the method.

Freezing

Watermelon pulp is frozen, and its texture will change, but the taste and aroma will remain. And you will need to eat it quickly, without defrosting it completely, or use it for jelly and cocktails. To freeze, cut into pieces or cubes and place on a baking sheet so that they do not touch each other. Place in the freezer to pre-freeze. When the pieces have hardened, pour them into containers, leaving a small space on top, cover them with lids and put them in the refrigerator.

You can preserve watermelon by making “homemade ice cream.” To do this, cut the pulp into pieces (with a knife or molds) and stick ice cream sticks into them. Then they freeze it. In winter, this delicacy is eaten by holding it by the stick. When frozen, watermelon berries can be stored for up to 12 months.

Processing

One of the ways to preserve watermelon until winter is salting in barrels and pickling in jars. These pickles are delicious and loved by many. Whole fruits are placed in barrels, choosing small ones that are not overripe. They are filled with salt water (400 grams of salt per bucket of water), spices (garlic, herbs) are added (optional), and pressure is placed on top so that the watermelons do not float up and become moldy. After 2-3 weeks, the pickle is ready. They are stored until spring.

For marinating in jars, watermelons are cut into pieces. The peel is removed or left on. The seeds are not selected. Place celery and peas at the bottom of the jars allspice. Watermelon pieces fill the vessel as tightly as possible. Poured hot water and leave for 20 minutes, then drain. Pour boiling brine (per liter of water 1 spoon of salt and 2 spoons of sugar), add to each jar a tablespoon of 70% vinegar and a teaspoon citric acid, roll it up, turn it over, wrap it in a blanket and leave it for a day. The cooled cans are lowered into cool place: basement, cellar or balcony.

Storing watermelons- this is one of the simplest and available ways extend the season of tasty and healthy berries. Using some tricks and tips, you can preserve the fruits for several months without losing their flavor characteristics.

Juicy and sweet with bright red flesh, watermelon is considered an exclusively summer treat. Not many people know that striped berries tolerate long-term storage well and, under certain conditions, can last until the New Year. Fresh watermelon will become not just an unusual sweet treat for winter table. Contained in juicy pulp useful substances will be good support for the body in the autumn and winter months.

How to store watermelon in a private house or apartment? Which methods are considered the best?

When buying berries, you should pay attention to the variety, appearance and size of the berry.

Variety It is recommended to choose late-ripening varieties: “Astrakhansky striped”, “Volzhsky”, “Dessertny” and others. Watermelons that ripen later than others have a thick rind that protects the pulp inside from damage. You need to buy them at the very end of the season: from mid-September to early October. If you plan to store berries from your own garden plot in storage, they must be collected several days before they are completely ripe.
Appearance. When storing watermelons for long-term storage, only those that do not have visible damage are selected: deep scratches, cracks, unevenness. Their surface should be smooth and shiny.
Dimensions. You should not put too large fruits in the cellar or refrigerator. The optimal weight is 4-5 kg.

If the choice was made correctly, the berries can retain their taste, aroma and beneficial properties almost throughout the winter.

The main factors influencing the safety of the fruit are the ambient temperature and the integrity of the peel. Eating berries, especially cut ones, after the expiration date may have undesirable health consequences.

The optimal temperature in storage for melons should be between +2 and +5 degrees. Due to this best place Where you can store watermelon is a cellar or refrigerator.

How long can watermelon be stored in the refrigerator?

If there is no cellar, and there is enough free space in the refrigerator, you can store the watermelon on a shelf or in the freezer. Many people are interested in how many days or months the berry can retain its taste and beneficial properties.

If you purchase a late-ripening variety, you can store watermelon for 10-15 weeks. If the berry is an early-ripening variety and has a thin peel, it should not be kept in the refrigerator for longer than 1.5-2 months. Before you put it down whole fruit on the shelf, you must carefully inspect it for possible defects that appeared during collection or transportation. It is not recommended to store watermelons with cracks, dents or other damage for long-term storage.

When buying a large berry, the problem of storing uneaten slices often arises. It is best to do this in the refrigerator. The maximum period during which the pulp will be usable does not exceed 2 days. To prevent it from becoming slippery and unpleasant, it does not need to be covered with film. It is better to place the remaining piece cut side down on a plate and put a bag on top. Store sliced watermelon as follows: place in a deep bowl and also cover, avoiding the film touching the pulp.

Freezing has become increasingly popular lately. fresh vegetables and fruits for the winter. Many lovers of striped berries have a question: can watermelon be stored in the freezer?

Watermelon pulp does not tolerate low temperatures well, and after thawing it loses its natural structure. Frozen fruit slices can only be used for preparing drinks such as cocktails, jelly, and juices. Store watermelon in freezer costs no longer than 10-12 months.

How long can watermelon be stored at room temperature?

Storing watermelons at room temperature makes it possible to preserve almost all the beneficial substances. It is scientifically proven that in pulp that has not been subjected to prolonged cooling, the amount of beta-carotene and lycopene is almost 20% greater. So, how long can you store watermelon outdoors?

The shelf life of whole fruits largely depends on their variety and ripeness. The berries that are thick-skinned and slightly unripe at the time of picking last the longest. If you create all the necessary conditions, then even at room temperature they will quietly lie for 4-5 weeks. The timing also depends on the initial condition of the melons.

If after lunch or dinner there is an uneaten piece of cut fruit, you should not leave it on the table, especially if the room is warm enough. Shelf life when opened watermelon pulp at room temperature is only a few hours.

Before storing watermelon in the cellar, you need to make sure that the temperature and humidity percentage in it correspond to the recommended ones. If these parameters are stable throughout the entire period, the berries can be kept for as long as on the refrigerator shelf: right up to the New Year and even longer. For significant deviations temperature regime and humidity, the time frame will be much shorter, and taste characteristics deteriorate noticeably.

Unlike whole berries, which will last for weeks or even months, cut fruits are suitable for consumption within a very short period of time: they can be stored from several hours to 1.5-2 days.

Watermelon peel reliably protects the pulp inside from the penetration of bacteria and other unwanted microorganisms. In the absence of such protection, sweet pulp becomes an ideal environment for the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microflora. A cut watermelon left in the open air becomes not so much tasteless as it becomes dangerous, as it can cause food poisoning.

Methods for storing a whole watermelon

There are many different proven methods to keep watermelon pulp juicy and sweet for a long time.

Before sending the berries to the cellar, they are laid out in boxes, the bottom of which is covered with a thick layer of moss. It is better to collect it on a sunny day, when upper part the plants will be completely dry. The free space between the walls of the box and the sides of the watermelon is also filled with moss. This will make it possible to store the watermelon for a longer time.

Dry ash is poured into any wooden container (boxes, barrels, etc.) in a layer of 5-7 cm. Next, the fruits are placed, which must be covered with ash to the very top. The container must be closed as tightly as possible to prevent moisture penetration.

The clay is mixed with a small amount of water until homogeneous mass with consistency thick sour cream. The wax is heated in a water bath until liquid. Next, the brush is well dipped in the prepared clay solution or wax and applied to the peel. After the composition dries, the berries are placed in a cool room.

For such storage, you will need nets and pieces of canvas or burlap. The berries are wrapped in fabric and lowered into nets, which are hung from hooks built into the ceiling of the cellar or basement.

Storing watermelons at home.

If there are no special rooms such as a cellar or basement, the darkest and coolest room is suitable for storing the whole fruit. It is necessary to ensure complete darkness and daily turning of the fruit.

Suitable places to store watermelon

To save fresh fruits as long as possible, you need to choose the right storage location. In a private house and apartment there are several of the most suitable rooms in which you can store watermelon for a long time.

Storing watermelon in the refrigerator

The safety of whole berries largely depends on temperature indicators. In this case, the temperature must be stable throughout the entire period. The most optimal place from this point of view is the refrigerator. The berries should be placed on the middle or lower shelf, previously covered with thick fabric.

Storing watermelons in the refrigerator has one drawback - the fruits take up a lot of space, which creates certain inconveniences when placing other products. If you plan to store the watermelon for 3-4 months, it is better to choose other suitable places for this.

The place in which the fruits will be located must satisfy two basic conditions: be cool enough (the temperature should not rise above +10 degrees) and dark.

The apartment meets these requirements with storage rooms, glazed balconies and loggias protected from direct sunlight. You can also store watermelon in the bathroom or on the mezzanine.

In a private home there are much more opportunities to find a good place in which the berries can lie in the fall and winter. Basements, attics, closets, and garages are best suited for this purpose. If you have a summer kitchen in your yard that is not used during the cold season, you can also keep berries in it for several months.

The most suitable storage for melons and melons at home is the cellar. It maintains relatively stable temperature and humidity without sudden changes. Watermelons can be stored in various ways, and it is in the cellar that they will lie the longest without loss of taste.

How to properly organize the storage of watermelons? How long they can be preserved without damage depends on preparation, proper placement of fruits and storage conditions.

Purchased or collected fruits should be inspected again to ensure there are no defects. If there is high humidity in the room and there is a possibility of mold or rot developing, it is worth treating the peel with a 2% lime solution.

Before planting berries, the room must be well ventilated. It is advisable to treat the cellar with antifungal agents. Watermelon must be stored separately from other vegetables and fruits. The berries should also not touch each other. There should be enough space on the racks or shelves to periodically turn them from side to side.

Storing watermelon for a long time is possible only under certain conditions. The premises must meet the following requirements:

be well shaded;
have natural or forced ventilation;
the humidity in it should not exceed 85%, the lower limit is 65%;
range optimal temperature- from +3 to +5 degrees.

Periodically, the fruits are inspected and turned over.

Many people are interested in the question: do the berries ripen after being stored in storage? It all depends on how to store the watermelon. If the room temperature does not rise above +3-5 degrees, the pulp will remain in the same condition as when collected or purchased. If the temperature is consistently higher (+20-25 degrees), ripening of almost ripe fruits is possible. You should not use unripe fruits for storing in basements and cellars, because they will remain unripe.

To preserve whole berries until the winter months, you need to choose a place that will maintain the conditions most suitable for them. Deviation from the recommended indicators will not allow you to save berries for the winter.

So, when the temperature rises, the pulp will begin to deteriorate faster, and when it drops below 0 degrees, it will turn into ice. Too low humidity can cause melons to dry out, and the presence of excess moisture will cause premature rotting.

Before choosing a room where the berries will be stored, it is necessary to assess the possibility of meeting all requirements.

How to store a watermelon to please your household with a juicy one summer berry on new year holidays? In order for the berries to last until mid-winter and longer, it is worth keeping them in dry straw for 1-2 days to dehydrate the peel. Such preparation will reduce the likelihood of putrefactive damage to the pulp. In order for the berries to last as long as possible, it is necessary to prevent contact of the bark with air. To do this, it can be covered with clay, alabaster or wax.

Do not place fruits on bare shelves or racks. It is recommended to first cover them with fabric or natural material (moss, straw, sawdust).

It is very important to comply with all requirements regarding temperature, humidity and ventilation. Significant deviations from optimal indicators will negatively affect the condition and taste of melons.

Knowing how to store a watermelon and following a few rules, you can enjoy the juicy and healthy berry regardless of the season.

Watermelons are sweet and juicy berries, which are traditionally sold in the summer season. Many of us have a question about how long a watermelon can be stored so that it retains all its taste and does not turn out to be sour and weak. We will tell you exactly how to preserve watermelon until the new year in this article.

Watermelon can be stored if the necessary conditions are provided for the berries. long time. Some varieties can lie in the open air for three months, only improving their taste characteristics. At the same time, it should be said that most Central Asian and Astrakhan varieties that ripen in mid-summer and are sold in numerous markets in summer time years, are often transported incorrectly, so you should not expect excellent shelf life from them. It is difficult to predict how long such a fruit will last. But if you are engaged in growing watermelons yourself, then in this case you will be able to ensure the longest possible preservation of the grown crop. We offer you small recommendations, after reading which you will know exactly how to store watermelon.

How to preserve fruit for as long as possible

Remember that this berry does not like mechanical damage, so if you throw or transport watermelons carelessly, characteristic blackening and signs of rot will soon appear on their surface, and the pulp will be completely spoiled. If you grow this berry yourself, then try to pick up and carry the ripened fruits in simple rag gloves, which will avoid mechanical damage to the fruit.

During storage, berries should come into contact with soft surfaces. Do not allow the fruits to come into contact with each other, which will inevitably lead to rapid spoilage of the fruits. Best place To store the harvested crop, there will be a cellar or a special vegetable box in the refrigerator, where the temperature is in the range of 1-4 degrees Celsius. Some varieties can ripen for a long time in the sun, but in warm conditions the shelf life usually does not exceed several weeks.

When choosing a fruit for long-term storage, it is necessary to inspect the fruit for damage and yellow spots, which may indicate an overripe berry. The presence of such spots will tell you how long such a fruit will last. Preference is best given to medium-sized fruits, which are better stored than large-sized specimens. Such fruits retain their taste for as long as possible and can remain fresh and sweet even until the New Year.

Periodically inspect and turn the fruits during storage to avoid stains on the surface of the berries, which subsequently lead to rot.

How to store watermelon in the refrigerator

If you plan to eat the watermelon in a few days, then it is quite possible to simply store the berries in a plastic bag in the cold, but if you want to store the fruits for several months, then you need to place the purchased product on the top shelf of the refrigerator. The shelf life of watermelons largely depends on compliance temperature conditions and humidity indicators. It is preferable to keep uncut berries in the refrigerator at a temperature of 1 to 3 degrees. You should not put watermelon in the freezer, where the berry can quickly deteriorate. The optimal humidity level is no more than 85 percent.

It is recommended to place a soft natural cloth on a shelf in the refrigerator and carefully place the watermelon on it. If several fruits are stored on a shelf, they should be separated by a cardboard partition or wrapped in natural fabric. It is best to keep them on different shelves, which will protect the fruits from rotting. How many of these fruits will fit in the refrigerator depends on the availability of special fruit boxes and additional shelves. Light has a negative effect on shelf life, so you need to turn off the light bulb in the refrigerator, or wrap the fruit in a light-proof cloth.

Before storing the watermelon you have chosen, you must wash it and wipe it dry with a paper towel. You can wrap the berries in newspapers or natural fabric, after which it can be stored for long-term storage in the bottom drawer, which is designed for storing fruit. It is necessary to turn the fruit at least twice a week to protect it from rotting.

Remember that only whole fruits should be stored for the winter. But sliced watermelon can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days. Remember that the pulp of chopped berries quickly deteriorates and becomes dangerous to the body. Therefore, try to eat already cut fruit as quickly as possible.

On average, the shelf life of watermelons in the refrigerator is 4-6 months. At the same time, it is difficult to predict how long a particular specimen will last. The fact is that we do not know whether the transportation of watermelons was carried out correctly, the conditions for their cultivation and the specific variety of berries. If you need to preserve the fruit until the new year, it is best to make purchases in September, when late Astrakhan and Turkmen varieties are sold in the markets. Such a fruit can easily last for 4-5 months, delighting you with its juicy and sweet pulp in the winter cold.

Is it possible to freeze watermelons?

Many of us wonder whether it is possible to freeze watermelon pulp in the refrigerator? Indeed, this is possible, but it must be remembered that after defrosting, when the pulp loses its texture, such a defrosted watermelon can be used exclusively for making cocktails and variety of dishes, which do not require the integrity of the pulp. While the pulp has not completely thawed and when it has not yet lost its texture, it can be served, but it must be eaten as quickly as possible.

There are several ways to freeze watermelon pulp: simple freezing, with juice, with granulated sugar and syrup. With so-called blast cooling, the shelf life of frozen fruits can be 12 months. The aroma and sweetness of the fruit remains the same when frozen, which allows it to be used for preparing all kinds of cocktails, juices and jams.

Storing watermelons at room temperature

Depending on the specific variety, watermelon can be stored outdoors for up to a month. However, you must take into account the condition of the particular fruit, its degree of ripeness and compliance with transportation regulations. It is recommended to place the fruits on a soft surface in a dark place. We can also recommend that you store the watermelon in the cellar in dry sand, which will keep the berries fresh for two to three weeks.

The original storage method is practiced in southern countries, where ripe fruits are poured cold water when the fruit is completely immersed in water. This method will allow the watermelon to last almost until the new year. Just remember that the water should not freeze in the container, as this will invariably lead to spoilage of the fruit. It is recommended to change the water to fresh water three times a month. At the same time, the watermelon itself should not come into contact with air. Therefore, water changes must be carried out as carefully as possible.

Watermelon ripening time

Depending on their variety, watermelons grown in open ground, can ripen in early July in southern regions, and in August in conditions middle zone Russia. It should be said that there are various early and late varieties that differ in the growing season. If you choose watermelon for long-term storage, then preference should be given late varieties. Ripening of watermelons can occur both in the garden beds and during transportation and sale of berries, when they lie in the sun for several days. During the industrial cultivation of this crop, still unripe watermelons are harvested, which subsequently ripen within several days, acquiring the necessary sweetness and juiciness.

Conclusion

When providing the right conditions A whole watermelon can be stored for 4-6 months, maintaining its taste and integrity of the pulp. We can recommend that you put the ripened fruit in the refrigerator in a fruit drawer, which will extend the shelf life, and you will be able to enjoy it even in New Year delicious and fresh watermelon. At the same time, you should take into account that when buying fruits in the markets, it is difficult to predict how long they will last, so grow watermelons yourself and you will be able to eat the harvest you harvest for as long as possible.