"Donkey Cucumber" - This is how the word “watermelon” is translated from the Turkic language. Its wild ancestor is still found in Africa and, indeed, is not too sweet - only to feed cattle! This giant berry was cultivated back in Ancient Egypt at the exclusive request of the pharaohs - the nobles were gourmands! Then they were brought to Rome and Central Asia, and from there to the lower reaches of the Volga, where to this day the best watermelon plantations in our country are located.
The seller swears that he brought Astrakhan watermelons? Let’s try to believe him, but we will choose the “berry” as pickily as possible!
1 What size should a watermelon be?
Not only is a large specimen difficult to carry, but there is also a high probability that it contains a lot of nitrates. “Overfed” with fertilizers - and such a giant grew up! At the same time, very small watermelons may not be too sweet. Ideal weight for sweet watermelon: 5-7 kg.
2 External inspection
Ripe watermelons have a thick and glossy rind. Watermelons with dull skin are usually unripe and unsweetened. A watermelon grown in a melon must have a soil spot - a place that came into contact with the soil during the growth of the fruit. It should be yellow, orange or light brown in color. White spots indicate that the watermelon is not ripe. It is also worth paying attention to the “striations” of the watermelon. The brighter the contrast between the stripes, the riper the watermelon.
3 Cracks on the watermelon
There may be small flaws on the watermelon - it is important that there are few of them. According to Roskachestvo: “The quality of the product is maintained when the total area of external damage caused by friction or loading and unloading operations does not exceed one eighth of the surface of the fruit.”
4 “Scars” on a watermelon
But don’t confuse cracks and damage with so-called “scars”, brownish dry lines and nets on the sides of watermelons. A “scarred” watermelon will always be ripe and juicy.
5 Correct sound
A ripe watermelon, when tapped, makes a clear and resounding sound. If the watermelon is not yet ripe, the sound will be dull. Try squeezing the watermelon a little from above and below, if it crackles slightly, great - it's a ripe fruit!
6 What should the ponytail be like?
The tail of a watermelon is like the umbilical cord of a newborn: through it the fetus received nutrients. In fact, when the watermelon ripens, it itself should fall off the fruit and dry out. Therefore, a yellowish dry tail indicates that the watermelon is already ripe. If the tail is green, the watermelon was picked while it was still unripe. However, it should be remembered that a dry tail can also be found on old, long-stayed fruits, so take this sign into account when choosing only in conjunction with the others.
7 “Boy” or “girl”?
It turns out that watermelons are differentiated by gender. “Boys” are larger, they are slightly elongated. And the “girls” are smaller and flattened. Look at the side opposite the tail. Female fetus will have a depressed surface, and the male one will have a more convex surface. There you can also see a speck, a trace from the stalk; if it is small, then it is a “boy”. A large circle can be up to several centimeters in diameter. So it's a "girl". And what’s really interesting: “ladies” are tastier and sweeter. They also contain fewer seeds. However, according to statistics, they are only 20% of the harvest. I'll have to look!
8 What should a watermelon smell like?
Lightly rub the side of the watermelon with your fingernail; when you rub the rind, the unripe fruit may smell like freshly cut grass. Perhaps it is better to choose another copy!
9 Safety precautions
A seller at the market may offer to cut a triangular piece out of a watermelon so that you can see with your own eyes that it is ripe. Don't agree! Are you sure the knife is washed and sterile? That's it. And even if it were clean, no one washed the watermelon itself! Its surface is full of pathogens of intestinal infections, which, if the integrity of the fetus is violated, penetrate into the pulp and, together with it, enter the stomach.
By the time you bring your purchase home, dirt may get stuck in the cut, and the pathogens inside will begin to actively multiply (sweet juice is what microbes need!). The result is an acute food infection, in other words, watermelon poisoning, which is not so uncommon in the summer.
A cut watermelon, even if stored in the refrigerator, poses a considerable danger to a baby, whose intestines are especially susceptible to poisoning, within a day.
10 Don't buy watermelon by the road!
Roadside vendors, as a rule, do not have a quality certificate, and no one checks it. Suddenly the pulp is full of nitrates: how do you know? Sometimes these same nitrates, or rather urine (!), containing a lot of growth stimulant - nitrogen, are injected with a syringe into unripe fruits to speed up their ripening. It is not difficult to recognize “pricked” specimens: their flesh is red and the seeds are white, and the mark from the prick can be noticeable.
Another argument against shopping on the roadside: watermelon peel actively absorbs pollutants from the air, in particular lead salts and other heavy metals contained in exhaust gases, which are very harmful to the body.
Ripe watermelons appear on shelves in August. Soon you will be able to choose!
How to determine if watermelon contains nitrates?
Black and brown spots over the entire surface of the peel indicate the presence of nitrogen salts.
A control check is only possible at home. Cut the watermelon. If the color of the pulp is unevenly red and with a purple tint, then the watermelon has an excess of nitrates. This will also be indicated by multi-colored seeds (black and white in one berry) as well as yellow veins from the rind to the pulp.
There is one more secret: the cut pulp of a “correct” watermelon will have grains, like sugar, but a watermelon containing nitrates has unnaturally glossy insides.
To make sure your sweet purchase is safe, try the following: Place a piece of watermelon pulp in a glass of water and crush the pulp. Cloudy water indicates the naturalness of the berry, has the water turned red? This is an indicator of the presence of nitrates. This fruit is not worth eating!
What are the benefits of watermelon?
Watermelon pulp contains vitamins C, B, B, B6, B9, PP, carotene (provitamin A), as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese and nickel salts.
Moreover, in terms of iron content, watermelon is second only to lettuce and spinach. This is why watermelons are good for sick people iron deficiency anemia. And thanks to the magnesium and calcium content, watermelons are good for maintaining the health of the cardiovascular and skeletal systems. 100 g of watermelon contains about 200 mg of magnesium. No other product can compare with such richness. And to fully satisfy the human body’s need for magnesium, only 150 g of watermelon per day is enough.
Watermelon is probably the sweetest of all fruits; it is often called “sugar”. But the sugars in watermelon are special. The edible part of watermelon contains less carbohydrates than green peas, apples, oranges and almost the same amount as currants, blueberries and raspberries. A sweet taste watermelon is mainly due to the presence of fructose.
Nutritionists generally consider watermelon the best product for a fasting day: patients lose weight on it with pleasure, and in the process they “clean” the body without making any effort. After all, everyone’s favorite melon culture has a powerful detox effect!
Watermelon beauty secret
Sunburned? Here's a recipe from Korea! Wipe the affected areas with a mixture of watermelon and cucumber juices taken equally. The redness will go away immediately, the burning sensation will decrease.
Is it harmful for anyone to eat watermelon?
Watermelons are not recommended for the formation of kidney stones and gallbladder. Exacerbation peptic ulcer, inflammatory diseases large intestine - colitis, diarrhea, regardless of its cause, as well as heart and kidney diseases with edema - a reason to refrain from the sweet gifts of melons. Well? and to those who suffer diabetes mellitus, watermelons can be eaten in limited quantities - taking into account the permissible daily norm sugar consumption.
There is perhaps no other berry that is as associated with summer as watermelon. With the arrival of August, city streets are filled with spontaneous sales points of this delicacy, passing or driving past which any of us will immediately want to buy a juicy, ripe, delicious watermelon, which will perfectly quench the thirst that has arisen from the already seemingly unbearable summer heat. In addition to its excellent nutritional qualities, watermelon is also famous for the presence of a large number of vitamins and microelements, as well as folic acid. In this article we would like to tell you how to choose the right watermelon, which fully corresponds to what is written above.
It is known that watermelon is at least 80 percent water. This primarily explains its ability to cleanse the body and remove toxins. They say that in order to flush the kidneys well, a person needs to eat up to 100 kg of watermelons per season. But, there is also another opinion that excessive consumption of melons washes out of the body useful material, which means you shouldn’t “abuse” watermelons. Be that as it may, everyone agrees that watermelon has a calming effect on nervous system. A few pieces of watermelon a day will help improve your mood and lift your spirits. vitality. Other beneficial properties of watermelons are also known.
- Watermelon contains a small amount of calories, but very rich in fiber, which cleanses the intestines.
- Watermelon pulp contains lycopene, a substance with powerful antioxidant properties, which makes it very useful in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
- Watermelon juice has a diuretic effect. This means that blood is filtered through the kidneys faster.
- Watermelon contains iron, which is extremely useful for anemia.
- And finally, eating watermelon in combination with black bread for one week perfectly cleanses the kidneys.
Many people argue and cannot come to a consensus on what a watermelon is. To fruits, vegetables, or berries? Most opinions tend to be that it is, after all, a berry. But, by and large, people are less interested in the class affiliation of this product than in the question of how to choose a tasty watermelon.
For those who grow melons, choosing the right watermelon is not difficult, since they can always navigate by the key (do not confuse the key with the tail). If it is dry, then the watermelon is already ripe. U ordinary buyers There is no such possibility and they have to solve the problem of how to choose the right watermelon, starting from other data.
First of all, you need to understand that more or less natural watermelons can only be purchased during their season, which in the south of Russia corresponds to the second half of August. Everything that came before could have been grown using nitrates and growth stimulants.
Choose where you purchase your watermelon carefully. In places of spontaneous trade, you can with equal probability purchase both very delicious watermelons, still not responding sanitary standards. Ask the seller where these fruits were grown and whether they have a quality certificate. You should not buy watermelons near busy roads, as they can accumulate harmful substances contained in exhaust gases.
In an effort to choose the right watermelon, you must remember that you should not buy cracked or rotten berries. IN best case scenario will be spoiled taste qualities, and in the worst case, you can get food poisoning due to pathogenic bacteria getting inside the watermelon. Watermelon with a sour smell can be very poisonous.
Many people choose watermelon based on the dryness of its stem, or tail. This is not entirely true. The stalk can dry out during storage of both ripe and unripe watermelon.
Therefore, it is more correct in the matter of how to choose proper watermelon there will be a visual assessment of its size. Opt for medium-sized specimens weighing 7-10 kilograms. A larger size may indicate that the watermelon is full of chemicals, and a smaller one may indicate that it is not ripe and is picked greenish.
A ripe watermelon should make a dull, deep sound when you tap it with your knuckles. When applying slight pressure it should crackle slightly. A ringing sound is characteristic of unripe berries.
Notice the light spot on one side of the watermelon. This is where he lay when he was ripe. A large spot is a sign of unripe watermelon. Choose watermelons with a small white spot.
The skin of a ripe watermelon is easily scratched with a fingernail.
When cut into a watermelon, fibers should stand out. white. Yellow colored fibers may indicate large amounts of nitrates used for growth. Since nitrates are distributed unevenly and are most concentrated in the rind area, it is better not to eat such a watermelon to the rind, but to eat only its core.
Pay attention to the color of the watermelon peel. Our local watermelons have a dark green rind, while the berries imported from Turkey are lighter yellow-green in color.
Those who do not like to tinker with seeds in a watermelon need to learn to distinguish between berries by gender, since watermelon is a bisexual berry with male and female individuals. Male berries have a convex bottom with a small circle above it, while female berries have a flat bottom and a wide circle. Female watermelons contain fewer seeds and more glucose, which is why they are traditionally more popular.
Choosing a watermelon may seem difficult at first. With a little practice, you will be able to accurately select ripe berries to please yourself and your loved ones. Good luck choosing!
Since the beginning of August, food markets have been filled with mountains of watermelons. Everyone wants to quickly taste this juicy miracle berry - it is painfully tempting in the summer heat. Yes and beneficial properties watermelon is not deprived: it contains a lot of fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, pectin, lycopene, vitamins C, PP, B1, B2. Watermelon will help remove toxins and excess cholesterol from the body, ideal for patients with arthritis, sclerosis, and gout.
However, under the attractive striped skin of a watermelon, there may be an unpalatable filling. The difficulty of choosing is enhanced by the fact that, at first glance, it is both ripe and not ripe watermelon look the same. However, an experienced buyer can easily identify a ripe berry. You also want to know how to choose the right watermelon?
First of all, it is important to remember that it is simply impossible to buy a ripe watermelon in the middle of summer. Many markets, with light hand unfortunate sellers, dreaming of making money from sweltering customers, are filled with these berries back in July. If you rush and give in to the temptation to try a watermelon ahead of time, you risk acquiring an unripe fruit, which is also overstuffed with nitrates. So, if you are eager to know how to choose a ripe watermelon, do not forget: the ideal time to buy it is from mid-August.
How often can you see watermelons being sold out of a car that arrived from nowhere: a queue of buyers immediately forms for the cheaper product. Moreover, the “shop on wheels” stops right next to the roadway. When looking for an answer to the question of how to choose a watermelon, remember: You can’t buy it at spontaneous sales points. In such places, no one will certainly give you a guarantee that the product meets sanitary standards - and for watermelon this is extremely important due to the fact that it easily accumulates nitrates and other harmful substances formed in the soil (for example, exhaust gases if sold fruits by the side of the road).
If you want to know how to choose the right watermelon that is not only ripe, but also meets all sanitary standards (compliance permissible level nitrates in fruits, etc.), ask the seller for a quality certificate– in places intended for the sale of watermelons and melons, such a desire of the buyer will be more than legal and should be immediately satisfied. 
Watermelon must not be damaged: cracks, knocked down, dented or rotten sides. Through damaged areas, harmful bacteria can easily enter the fruit - and this already creates a high risk of berry poisoning.
It is believed that the larger the watermelon, the riper it is. This is actually true, but many buyers do not know one more rule on how to choose a ripe watermelon: At the same time as being large in size, the watermelon should be relatively light. That is, when choosing from two large watermelons, choose the one that is lighter than its “competitor”. However, when choosing a watermelon, do not try to buy the largest batch available. Also avoid buying a watermelon that is too small. The optimal weight of a ripe watermelon is 7-10 kg.
Many consider it a sign of ripeness dry watermelon tail. On the one hand, this is true - in natural conditions a ripe watermelon “comes off” from the melon because its stem dries out. On the other hand, sellers begin to speculate on this sign, selling an “expired” watermelon under the guise of a ripe watermelon, picking it from the melon tree ahead of time and letting it rest for several days (it is clear that in this case the tail of the watermelon will dry out). And in conditions summer heat even the “filling” of a watermelon, protected by a thick rind, begins to deteriorate after a few days of storage. Therefore, when trying to choose the right watermelon, do not focus solely on the condition of its stalk.
It is worth paying attention to light spot on one side of the watermelon- the one on which he was lying. It should not be too large and have a bright yellow (sometimes orange) color. A striped color watermelon rind
should be as contrasting as possible, but not have an intense red or purple tint (a sign of oversaturation of the fruit with nitrates).
The rind of a ripe watermelon, after its natural “parting” with the melon, stops absorbing moisture and becomes hard. Therefore, it is quite difficult to pierce it with a fingernail. And here scratching a ripe watermelon, on the contrary, is very easy: just run your fingernail across it and easily remove the top layer of peel. Another secret of watermelon ripeness for buyers who want to know all the secrets of how to choose a watermelon: After light rubbing with your palm, the crust should not smell like freshly cut grass.
Traditional watermelon ripeness test - tapping it. A ripe watermelon will definitely “answer” you dull sound- You can take it without delay. But if the fruit “rings”, put it aside, this product is not for you. It would also be useful squeeze the fruit with your hands and bring it to your ear - characteristic crackling watermelon in this case also indicates its ripeness.
If, when choosing a watermelon, you are concerned about the presence of seeds in it, you will have to learn to separate the sex of this berry. Yes, yes, watermelon is a bisexual fruit: the “male” berry has a convex bottom and a small circle above it, and the “female” berry has a flat bottom and a wide circle. “Female” watermelons contain fewer seeds and more sugar, so they are considered more tasty.
So, now you know exactly how to choose a ripe watermelon - don’t lose this knowledge on the way to the market and please yourself and your family with this tasty, juicy and healthy berry! Good luck with your choice!
« 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, the whole family gathered at the table, 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. Meeting place can not 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 poor 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. Optimal size“cheeks” - 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 with nitrates, and small fruits are 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 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!
Unfortunately, in recent years people have become less and less fond of watermelons. And this is not due to the fact that someone stops liking the taste of dark red pulp with wonderful aroma, but with the fact that the chances of purchasing a good and ripe watermelon are very small. What can they do with them to speed up ripening! They pump you full of nitrates, give you an injection of urea to quickly turn red - they use any means to quickly sell their products to customers. Naturally, both quality and taste suffer from this. This is why so many buyers remain disappointed. So, how to check a watermelon for ripeness? Let's try to answer this question.
Time to buy
Time is the main indicator. The first watermelons appear in markets and stores long before their normal ripening time, which means they have clearly been helped. It is not worth purchasing such products. The optimal time to buy watermelons is from late August to mid-October.
How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon by its rind
The rind of a ripe watermelon is harder, woodier, and if you press on it with your fingernail, it will not damage it. The striking contrast between the stripes on the rind also shows that the crop was harvested in optimal time. The characteristic yellow spot is also an indicator of ripeness, but it should not be too large.
How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon by the tail
Contrary to popular belief, a dry tail does not guarantee the ripeness of a watermelon. You can only use this as a guide if you are waiting own harvest- during the period of maturation, the lash begins to gradually die off. In store-bought watermelons, a dry tail can indicate both ripeness and the fact that unripe berries have been in storage for a long time. However, it is worth paying attention to the “button” - a small calloused seal at the point where the whip is attached. If it is dense, light and convex, then the watermelon is ready to eat.
How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon by sound
A ripe watermelon makes a very characteristic sound when tapped - light, ringing and slightly rattling. This is due to the fact that ripe berries looser, starchy flesh that resonates well. This same property explains the good buoyancy of watermelons - a ripe berry should float at least halfway. When squeezed, ripe watermelons crackle.
How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon using smell
Unripe watermelons have a strong grassy smell. Ripe berries have a different aroma - lighter and sweeter. It is difficult to explain this in words, but with a little practice you can learn to distinguish watermelons well by smell.
This explains how to tell the ripeness of a watermelon without cutting. However, it is best to determine quality and ripeness by appearance pulp. It should be red, starchy, without large yellow streaks. Optimal weight for good watermelon- 5-7 kg. Remember: the main indicators of the presence of nitrates are large veins, as well as the coloring of water pink when a piece of pulp is stirred in it. For watermelon without nitrates, the water will become cloudy, but will not change color. You should not buy cut watermelon, even if it is ripe - there is no guarantee that microbes have not already settled in it.
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