When to pick watermelons from the garden - expert advice. How to choose a watermelon - determine ripeness and sweetness How to tell if a watermelon is ripe or not

Watermelon is everyone’s favorite sweet, which is adored by adults and children for its ability to relieve thirst and remove waste, toxins, and harmful substances from the body. Many novice gardeners are interested in the question of how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon growing in the garden, since unripe fruits picked will be unsuitable for consumption.

There are ways, knowing which, you can easily determine the ripeness of a watermelon. To do this, you need to be guided by the main visual indicators:

• type of crust;
• color of the spot on the side;
• condition of the tail;
• presence of a characteristic sound.

Color and size of the soil spot

A watermelon lying on a bed cannot turn over on its own, so it comes into contact with the ground in the same place. A spot appears on it, which should be yellow or warm orange in a ripe berry. If the soil spot is larger than 10 cm and has an uneven color, then the fruit is not yet ready to eat.

Sound test

Many people make do with just the perception of sound, but not everyone can check for sure; you need to have a certain skill. If the watermelon makes a ringing sound when tapped, this indicates that the product is ready for consumption. But a dull sound should alert you, as it indicates that the fruit is unripe.

You can determine the ripeness by squeezing a watermelon; if it crackles slightly, then this is a signal to harvest a tasty, juicy harvest.

Type of crust

Before picking a juicy watermelon from the garden, you should carefully examine its peel. A remarkable fact is that after ripening, the sweet berry no longer receives moisture from the plant. This fruit has a hard crust, on which dents cannot be felt and there are no cracks. The peel should be so strong and tough that it is difficult to scratch it with a fingernail. Many people do not use this method; they do not want to damage the bark, violating the integrity of the watermelon.

A sign of ripeness is the absence of a waxy coating on the surface of the bark, which glistens beautifully in the sun.

When ripe, the skin of the watermelon acquires a glossy shine, and the stripes on it become clearly defined.

Dryness of the nearest tendril

Before cutting the fruit, you need to find out the condition of its stalk. If it is still green, then the product is not ripe and should lie in the garden for at least another 2 weeks. A dry stalk of the fruit is considered a signal for harvesting, but cases cannot be excluded when it is very dry, then the berry is no longer suitable for consumption due to overripeness.

The method guarantees complete ripeness of the fruit; the dry tendril is the main guideline.

What is the optimal weight

Thanks to the rapid development of the breeding industry, there are varieties of watermelons designed for cultivation in certain regions and for use for various purposes. The weight of the fruit of a crop directly depends on its variety, which grows and develops individually. Therefore, the mass of berries in the garden must correspond to the characteristics of the planted variety.

Important! The fully ripened fruit of popular varieties is distinguished by the shape of an elongated ball and weighs from 8 to 12 kg.

Requirements for color and pulp structure

The pulp of a ripe fruit should have a uniform bright color, and the seeds should have the same color. The presence of cracks and yellow fibers on the cut is unacceptable. You can determine the amount of nitrates by looking at the pulp; place a small piece of watermelon in the water, and if it becomes cloudy, it is better to refrain from consuming it to avoid possible harm to health.

How to check is not worth it

Over time, many different ways to recognize a ripe and sweet watermelon have evolved. Some are effective, but many are wrong, so you should study them more carefully and not use them in practice in the future.

Based on average

The average indicator is a flexible concept and may not be suitable for every variety. For some varieties, a certain weight is considered the maximum, and for other groups - the minimum weight of the unripe fruit.

According to the condition of the tail

A dried tendril always indicates the ripeness of the fruit. At the same time, the tail connecting the watermelon itself with the bush always remains green. It becomes dry when the fruit has long been picked and sent for storage.

The reference point is the completely dry antennae, not the tail.

To size

It is a mistaken belief that if you check the fruits in the garden every day, you will notice that they no longer increase in size or that their growth sharply slows down. And then wait 2-3 weeks and safely harvest. But not every gardener will remember the size of each berry, so if there are few watermelons, then it is possible to measure them, but if there are a large number of them, this will not be possible.

According to the ratio of diameter and weight

You can find a special table for determining ripeness, which shows the ratio of diameter and weight. In most cases, the use of such a table is incorrect, especially in relation to varieties with an oblong fruit shape.

What not to do

When determining the ripeness of a watermelon, it is better not to resort to cutting the fruit. If after such a check it turns out to be unripe, then it can no longer be left in the garden, otherwise it will rot in 2-3 days. It is not recommended to pick unripe fruits in the hope that they will ripen over time. The pulp, of course, will become redder, but it will not acquire any sweetness.

When planting watermelon in your own garden, it is better to make sure in advance that the weather conditions, soil and other aspects of growing are suitable for the selected variety.

During the “watermelon season”, many buyers go to the market to buy this delicious berry. It will be useful for all of them to know how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon. Knowing how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon, you can choose the most delicious, juicy and appetizing fruit for yourself, without resorting to the help of sellers who are not always honest with their customers. Such a berry will not only allow you to fully enjoy its bright taste, but also be sure that the watermelon will not harm the health of adults and children. After all, it is not recommended to consume unripe watermelons. Especially those that appeared in markets and stores before August. In this case, you can be sure that they have been treated with various chemicals to ensure that the flesh turns red as quickly as possible. But this does not add sweetness and ripeness to the fruit. Therefore, it is better to immediately refuse to buy them in favor of the safest and most delicious watermelons.

If you have the opportunity to enjoy watermelon straight from the garden, then you should not neglect this opportunity. After all, in this case you will be able to choose a truly ripe and tasty fruit. And, in addition, you will be able to know for sure that the berry did not previously lie for weeks in a fruit shop. And advice on how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon in the garden will help everyone make the right choice. The easiest way to do this is by peeling. If it is matte, then the fruit is probably not yet ripe. But the shiny surface indicates that it’s time to enjoy the berries. In addition, experts who know how to check the ripeness of a watermelon recommend paying attention to the marks left by birds’ beaks on its rind. If they are, then the fruit is probably ripe, because an unripe one simply will not interest crows. The stem of a watermelon can also help in this difficult issue. In ripe berries it is always dry. This is a sure sign of fruit ripeness.

There are also excellent effective ways to check watermelon for ripeness in a store or market. Its peel can also help with this. Only this time you will need to examine the stripes on it. Firstly, the stripes must have a clear, clearly visible edge that separates the colors, and, secondly, the stripes must be contrasting - dark and light. It is important that one of the sides of the fruit is light - bright yellow. This indicates that the watermelon actually ripened in the sun and simply lay on one of its sides, and was not chipped with chemicals to accelerate ripening while still unripe. Therefore, you should not be embarrassed to ask the seller to show the watermelon from all sides or twirl it yourself. Only by carefully studying it can you draw the right conclusions about the ripeness and maturity of the fruit. Moreover, market traders always treat such a careful selection of watermelons with understanding.

Explaining how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon, experts also note that it is necessary to touch the berry. For example, you can pat the surface well with your outstretched palm. If the fruit is ripe, then the sound from this patting will clearly be heard in the pulp. Usually it turns out quite loud and clear. If the buyer has enough strength, then you can lift the watermelon and try to squeeze it on the sides. The ripe fruit will crackle. But don’t worry, the thick peel won’t burst this way, so the berry will remain intact.

Very often watermelons are sold near major roads. Of course, it is not recommended to buy any food products in such conditions; it is better to visit a store or market. This applies to a greater extent to watermelons. But, if there is no other way out, then you should at least check the fruits for the presence of an obvious white coating on them. If it is present, it means that the berry probably contains heavy metals, the consumption of which is harmful and dangerous to human health. In this case, you should refuse the purchase. It is strictly forbidden for the youngest members of the family to eat such watermelons.

In addition to the dry tail, the ripeness of a watermelon is also indicated by the place from which it grows. If it turns out to be convex, and its edges are lightened and rough, then we can safely say that the fruit is ripe, juicy and sweet. This berry is worth purchasing. A great way to determine the ripeness of a watermelon is to place it in a container of water. Of course, it is not always possible to do this before purchasing. But if there is such an opportunity, then you just need to place the berry in a basin filled with water, and then look at its “behavior.” The ripe fruit will certainly float to about half the container. The whole point is that it will be lighter than water. It is important to remember that watermelons naturally ripen around mid-August, and only during this period there is no need to use nitrates for a speedy harvest. This fact should also be taken into account when choosing a fruit.

Irina Kamshilina

Cooking for someone is much more pleasant than cooking for yourself))

Content

The sweet, juicy and velvety pulp of watermelon is pleasantly refreshing on a hot day and quenches thirst. In addition, it is a source of iron, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, fiber, pectin and vitamin C. At the same time, it becomes necessary to solve the problem of how to choose a watermelon, because identifying a juicy and tasty fruit is not so difficult. The main thing in this matter is a competent approach, otherwise there is a high risk of getting light pink pulp without any pleasant taste instead of scarlet.

How to choose a good watermelon

It is necessary to choose the right berry due to the fact that some watermelons may contain harmful substances. Poisoning with nitrates, the content of which in the fetus sometimes exceeds the norm, causes headache, nausea and vomiting. In addition, do not buy melon products near highways, because... Car exhaust contains heavy metals and harmful substances. To buy ripe fruit, take into account the following basic criteria:

• seasonality of ripening;
• appearance;
• the sound a watermelon makes when you tap it;
• "floor";
• ponytail type.

Seasonality of ripening

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

Appearance

One of the signs of fruit ripeness is its appearance. Inspect it and make sure that there are bright contrasting stripes on the surface. They, like the shiny hard crust, are considered a sure sign of the ripeness of the fruit. If they are not there, then feel free to pass by and continue your search. Also, make sure that the surface of the watermelon is free of dents, soft spots, small cracks, scratches and other damage. The fact is that microbes and bacteria can easily penetrate into the fetus through them.

It will be good if the fruit has a slightly elongated or spherical shape, an even and uniform color - this is a huge plus in favor of choosing a specific product. Be sure to rub the crust, because... Immature products will have a distinct smell of fresh hay. In addition, do not buy cut fruits - in this case, even the presence of certificates may not protect you from possible health problems.

What is the sound of a ripe watermelon?

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

The presence of nitrates in berries

Try to choose medium-sized melons. Large fruits, despite their tempting and appetizing appearance, are often grown using nitrates. As for the small ones, they often turn out to be not very sweet, although everything will depend on the variety. Pay attention to the cut watermelon (if the seller has it). If the seeds turn out to be white, then the watermelon is either unripe or contains a lot of nitrates. The seeds should be black or dark brown.

Additionally, you should be alerted by the implausibly bright color of the pulp with a lilac tint. Another point that may indicate an excess of nitrates is a smooth gloss on the cut surface. Don’t forget that nitrates are concentrated closer to the crust; therefore, leave the juicy core for the children - it is the most delicious. You should not try a berry if its pulp is riddled with yellow or light yellow fibers.

How to recognize a good watermelon

The process of finding a berry suitable for consumption can take a lot of time, because... you have to examine the fruit from all sides and make sure there is a bright striped crust. The stalk is of particular importance. If it is not there, then there is a possibility that it was torn off on purpose, because... The goods went through long-term storage and long transportation. To choose delicious melon products, pay attention to:

• yellow spot on side;
• bright striped crust;
• crust;
• tail;
• sound;
• "gender" (boy or girl).

Yellow spot on side

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

Bright stripes on the peel

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

Dense and shiny crust

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

Dry ponytail

The stalk is no less important when choosing a suitable watermelon than other criteria. The tail must be dry, because... it dries out when the melon product is fully ripe. If the stalk turns out to be green, then you have a fruit that was picked before full ripening, although in unripe watermelons collected long ago, the green tail gradually acquires a yellow tint. Another difference between ripe and unripe berries is that the stalk of a ripe fruit is fragile and breaks easily, while that of an unripe fruit is more flaccid.

Loud and deep sound

Tap each watermelon with your fist and listen carefully to the sound. For ripened melons and melons, it should be clear and sonorous. Unripe watermelons usually have a dull sound. True, it is very difficult to hear the ringing through the strong and thick peel. Despite this, you should not neglect this well-known method of checking the ripeness of the fruit. Additionally, you can squeeze the berry a little - it should crackle slightly.

"Boy" or "girl"?

Not every buyer of such products knows that watermelon has a gender. Distinguishing a “boy” from a “girl” is not so difficult. The female fruits have a completely flat bottom with a large brown circle on the skin. Watermelons belonging to the male gender are characterized by a convex lower part and a very small circle. It is better to choose female berries, because... they are the sweetest and most delicious. In addition, they contain an order of magnitude less seeds.

The most delicious varieties

To choose a ripe and sweet watermelon, check out the distinctive features and characteristics of popular varieties. Find out how much they weigh on average, what color of the skin they have, etc. When choosing, keep in mind that a ripe berry should be heavy, but the overripe version is in most cases much lighter. In addition, never ask to cut the fruit to determine ripeness - by doing this you open access to microbes, which develop especially rapidly in the hot season. Popular and widespread varieties are:

• Crimson Gloria;
• Astrakhan;
• Kherson;
• Skorik;
• Photon;
• Chill.

Crimson Gloria

This variety was bred on the Crimean Peninsula. It has a long shelf life and good disease resistance, making it perfectly transportable over long distances. It has gained considerable popularity in the south of the country - one of such regions is the Volgograd region. The average weight of the variety ranges from 10-17 kg. The rind is thicker compared to the Astrakhan variety, thanks to which the fruit is reliably protected from damage during long-term transportation. The pulp is tender and sweet.

Astrakhan

This type of fruit is one of the most popular and in demand in Russia. By the end of August, as a rule, the sweetest and largest Astrakhan watermelons begin to appear on the shelves. It was bred as a separate variety in 1977 through the efforts of one of the leading breeders in the country at that time. This fruit has a spherical or slightly oblong shape. The pulp of the ripe berry is juicy, aromatic, and coarse-grained. Its color is bright red.

The color of the Astrakhan fruit is green. The pattern on the surface consists of spiky stripes with a dark green tint. The average weight varies between 8-10 kg. During the dry season, voids may appear inside the fruit, but they do not have any effect on the taste. In general, it is better to buy good quality fruit with sweet and tasty pulp without any voids.

Kherson

The berries of this species never grow too large - their weight in most cases does not exceed 10 kg. If they show you a 15-20 kg giant and at the same time assure you that this is the Kherson variety, then do not believe it - it is either of a different type, or it was grown using a large amount of nitrates. Watermelon has a round shape and an average bark thickness of 9-12 mm. The flesh is red, sweet, juicy, grainy, which is why this species is very popular.

Early ripening varieties Skorik and Photon

Among the varieties available today there are many early ripening ones. One of them is Skorik, which has pronounced taste properties. The fruits are striped and large, and the seeds are black. The shape is spherical or spherical-oblate. Skorik is the earliest Russian type of watermelon. The pulp is dense, bright red. The average weight is from 2 to 4 kg. This species is valued for its relatively large size, rich watermelon aroma and juicy honey-sweet pulp. The surface is smooth, the background is green, and the pattern is presented in the form of dark green stripes with blurred edges.

When deciding to choose an early variety product, pay attention to Photon. The fruit is medium in size, slightly oblong in shape, weighing approximately 4 kg. Light green pattern in the form of wide stripes of a dark green hue. The seeds are round and black, and the flesh is red, loose and tender. After harvesting, Photon is stored for about 2-3 weeks. Transports well. Ripe Photon has a pleasant and sweet taste, fresh aroma.

Hybrid variety Kholodok

If you are planning to choose a mid-late variety, then you will like Chill. The average weight is about 4.2 kg, so this species can be considered large. Chill has an elongated spherical shape with medium to leathery bark, so distinguishing this variety from others is not too difficult. Its pulp is grainy, juicy, intense red in color with a pink tint. The seeds are large - reaching 1.5 cm in length, and sometimes more.

Summer... It remains in the memory of the hot sun, warm nights, travel, gatherings by the fire, photos from vacation and the main dessert of this season - watermelon. Of course, everyone is eager to try this berry as soon as possible, but there is a chance that you will buy a watermelon that is not yet ripe. And this will be a real disappointment! Therefore, it is quite obvious why very often people standing in front of the counter have a question: how to understand that a watermelon is ripe?

When do watermelons ripen in Uzbekistan?

In the markets of Uzbekistan, striped berries appear in May. But knowledgeable buyers are in no hurry to “sweep them away” from the shelves, because it is known that “early” giant berries are grown in greenhouse conditions and sometimes with the use of chemicals. If the spring is warm, the watermelon beds are covered with film, and after a month and a half, large, strong, green and ready-to-sell fruits hit the shelves.

But the taste of “greenhouse” striped berries is clearly inferior to their normal counterparts grown in garden beds. Therefore, it is better to wait for the real watermelon season, August, when these fruits, having absorbed all the warmth of the bright rays of the Asian sun, become incredibly sweet and aromatic.

When do watermelons ripen in Astrakhan?

What does a watermelon need to fully ripen? Lots of hot days and warm nights. On the territory of Russia, all the necessary conditions are present in the Astrakhan region. Therefore, it is quite obvious that the giant berries grown there are considered the most juicy, sweet and delicious. Here watermelons appear already in June. Early fruits are grown from foreign seeds, and the process of growing them is very labor-intensive and complex.

Many buyers in Russia mistakenly believe that these fruits are “stuffed” with nitrates, but this is not so. For growing watermelons, both June and August, mineral supplements are used to a minimum, since they are quite expensive.

What does a ripe watermelon sound like?

One of the most famous ways to select a ripe watermelon is to tap it. A dull sound will tell you that the fruit is ripe, and a ringing sound will mean that the berry is still “young” or has a lot of water in it.

There is another way by which you can accurately determine the degree of ripeness of the fruit. You need to take it approximately in the middle, bring it to your ear and squeeze very hard. An unripe fruit will be “silent,” while the skin of a ripe berry will bend slightly and crackle quietly.

How to choose a ripe watermelon?

Very often, buying a striped berry becomes like buying a lottery ticket. So, you are standing in front of the counter, looking forward to cutting into the deliciously juicy and sweet fruit at home.

What will help you determine exactly which fruit is worth taking, and which one is better to refrain from buying:

• It is necessary to check the integrity of the berry; it must be free of cracks, “bruises”, small scratches, cut off pieces and, of course, rotten parts;
• The fruit's rind should be shiny, not dull, and hard. It should not be easily pierced with a fingernail, and if it is rubbed, it should not smell like mown grass - in this case, the fruit is most likely unripe. The stripes on the crust of the fetus should be clear and contrasting;
• A ripe fruit should have a spot on its side that has been “rested” on the bed - a “cheek” - of a yellowish or sometimes even slightly orange tint;
• It is also worth remembering the time when to buy a watermelon. These berries begin to tempt everyone from the shelves already in June-July, but it is better to wait for the watermelon season - August;
• When buying this berry, you should follow the rule of the “golden mean”; you do not need to buy huge fruits; it is better to give preference to medium-sized berries;
• And finally, one of the most well-known signs of ripeness is a dry tail. But it can dry out even during long transportation, so you must remember that all these signs should be taken into account only as a whole.

In this video, Alexey will show a rather interesting method for determining the ripeness of a watermelon:

Where is the best place to buy these fruits?

It is highly not recommended to buy striped berries near roadways, because melons and melons very quickly absorb pollutants from the external environment. Therefore, it is better to buy juicy fruits in stores and tents that are specially equipped for this. In such tents, the fruits should be on special floorings located at least 15-20 cm above the ground.

This is necessary to prevent germs, dust and dirt from getting on the fruits. Also, tents should be equipped with awnings that protect the berries from the bright sun. Ideally, of course, it is better to buy watermelons in tents located near the fields where they were grown.

How to identify a watermelon that contains nitrates that are hazardous to health?

Sometimes watermelons turn out to be “overfed” with nitrogen fertilizers, which are contained in huge quantities in the pulp of these berries and become dangerous to human health.

There are several known ways in which you can determine at home from a cut of a watermelon whether it contains nitrates:

1. The veins in the pulp of the fruit are yellowish, not white;
2. A smooth cut of a berry may indicate the presence of nitrates; a cut of a watermelon free of chemical fertilizers should be uneven, with grains;
3. Too bright red color or sometimes even a purple tint of the pulp can also indicate the presence of nitrates.

If you still have doubts about the “purity” of the fruit, it is better to eat the pulp from the middle, not reaching the white border with the crust (more nitrates accumulate there).

When you bring the berry home, you must wash it with a brush (you can even use soap) so that there is no dust or dirt left on the crust. And the cut fruit should be stored for no more than a day in a cool, dark place (for example, in a cellar or in the refrigerator).

Thus, you should choose a watermelon not only by its external characteristics, but also by the time and place of its sale. Choosing a watermelon is a rather complex and, one might even say, labor-intensive process, but if you approach it responsibly and with a clear understanding of how to understand that a watermelon is ripe, your efforts will be rewarded with the delicious taste that this symbol of summer will give you.

Video lesson: checking watermelon for ripeness

There is about a week left before the official start of the watermelon selling season, but unauthorized trade in melons on the streets of Moscow has been going on since mid-July. Consumers are outraged not only by the high price, but also by the quality of the fruit: watermelons that are artificially ripened with the help of nitrates pose a health hazard.

At the same time, sellers of watermelon crumbles in most cases cannot present either a trade permit or quality certificates.

The permit to trade melons will be valid from August 1. The Moscow Department of Consumer Market and Services explained that it is not recommended to buy watermelons before this date - it is better to wait until the end of summer, when they are definitely ripe.

The number of melon fields in the capital this summer will be almost two times less compared to last year. - total 450 . In addition, retail outlets will operate according to new rules. Sellers are required to work in special clothing, carry a medical book and documents confirming the quality of the products.

Where to choose watermelons

In Moscow, the sale of melons “from the ground” is prohibited. Retail outlets should be equipped with mesh chests and special scales instead of household, medical and postal scales. Sellers should not cut and sell watermelons and melons in parts, as slices.

In addition, visual information about the operating hours of the retail outlet and the legal address of the trading organization must be placed on the tray or spreader.

To protect yourself, it is best not to buy watermelons at “spontaneous” stores where the products are not checked by sanitary services, and always ask if there are documents for them. And even more so, you should not buy at roadside stands: there the products absorb toxins.

Some producers stimulate the ripening of melons with nitrogen fertilizers, which leads to the accumulation of nitrates in watermelons. The consequences of their use can be severe - acute infectious poisoning or chronic intoxication, which doctors call the “cumulative effect.”

How to identify a nitrate "bomb"

It is impossible to identify a nitrate watermelon by eye unless it is cut. You should not even try the berry if its pulp is riddled with yellow or light yellow fibers or has a purple tint.

If you soak the pulp of a nitrate watermelon in water, it will turn red or pink due to the increased content of nitrates. A “healthy” watermelon will make the water slightly cloudy.

If you knock on a nitrate watermelon, it feels like you're hitting a ball that's dropped. Such a watermelon may look ripe, but if it doesn’t crack when squeezed, it means it’s not ripe without someone else’s “help.”

What a watermelon should look like without flaws

There is a widespread belief that a large watermelon is “nitrate”. This is not true: for example, for the “chill” variety, 10-20 kilograms is far from the limit.

An ideal watermelon should be large enough, not very heavy and with a clearly defined striped pattern. In order to determine the natural ripeness of a watermelon, first of all you need to pay attention to the stalk - the tail at the top of the fruit should be dry.

The purchased watermelon should not have cuts or cracks - through which microbes that cause intestinal infections get inside.

There is a myth that a ripe watermelon should ring if you slap it with your palm. In fact, the sound depends on whether the flesh inside has softened or not. It is the green fruit that will ring, but a ripe watermelon should be dull.

The cracking sound that a watermelon makes when you squeeze it with your hands is a good sign. You can safely buy such a product.

The soil spot on the bottom of the side should preferably be yellow, not white.

And one last thing. A ripe watermelon can be easily scratched - by running your fingernail over it, you can easily remove the top layer of the peel.

When choosing a melon, experts advise paying attention to the aroma that its peel should exude, the softness that is felt to the touch, and the absence of light brown spots.

What to do in case of “nitrate” poisoning

In addition to nitrates, watermelons may contain microbes and even heavy metals. In case of poisoning, it is necessary to drink as much water as possible to prevent dehydration and reduce the symptoms of the disease.

Is watermelon good for you?

There is conflicting information about the benefits of watermelons. Some say that watermelon fiber contains potassium, which is washed out of the body when taking diuretics. Therefore, it is recommended to consume watermelons for diseases such as cystitis and nephritis.

At the same time, there is an opinion that although all melons and melons contain fiber, it is poorly absorbed, loading the stomach. That is why doctors advise children and elderly people over 50 years old to refuse juicy fruits.

The material was prepared by the online editors of www.rian.ru based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources