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

Seasonality of ripening

To avoid buying unripe fruit, take into account the month in which you decide to purchase melon products. The most delicious watermelons ripen 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 appearance. Inspect it and make sure that there are bright contrasting stripes on the surface. They, like the shiny hard crust, are considered a sure sign of the ripeness of the fruit. If they are not there, then feel free to pass by and continue your search. Also, make sure that the surface of the watermelon is free of dents, soft spots, small cracks, scratches and other damage. The fact is that microbes and bacteria can easily penetrate into the fetus through them. The benefits of watermelon for fasting days when losing weight Watermelon with vodka - how to pump it with a syringe and tincture recipes. How to make a watermelon infused with vodka It will be good if the fruit has a slightly elongated or spherical shape, an even and uniform color - this is a huge plus in favor of choosing a specific product. Be sure to rub the crust, because... 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 problems with health.

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

How to recognize a good watermelon

The process of finding a berry suitable for consumption can take a lot of time, because... you have to examine the fruit from all sides and make sure there is a bright striped crust. The stalk is of particular importance. If it is not there, then there is a possibility that it was torn off on purpose, because... the goods have passed through long-term storage and long transportation. To choose delicious melons, pay attention to: a yellow spot on the side; bright striped crust; crust; 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 is light spots small sizes. They appear all over the surface watermelon rind after chlorophyll production stops.

Bright stripes on the skin

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

Dense and shiny crust

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

Choose sweet watermelon It’s not at all difficult, for this you need to remember some rules.

How to tell if a watermelon is ripe?

Let's find out how to choose the right watermelon. Don't buy them ahead of schedule. A watermelon is ripe and sweet when it ripens on time. This time is the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Early fruits are always the result of nitrogen fertilizers and growth stimulants. Since the demand for this fruit is huge, producers feed them with chemicals in order to quickly get a rich harvest. If you value your health, think about this. The choice is always yours.

Let's figure out how to do it right choice. The collected fruits should be sold on store shelves or in a specially designated place where there is an awning and flooring. It is advisable that they are not on the ground. The fact is that this fruit is a favorable environment for the reproduction of various microorganisms. And since cracks can form in the crust, bacteria can penetrate into the pulp and pose a major health threat.

It is for this reason that never buy them on the roadway or in other dubious places. There is probably no point in talking about cut watermelons, since such a tasty morsel is simply teeming with microbes. No certificate will help here.

A good and healthy fruit should not have cracks, dents or other damage through which various bacteria can penetrate. A ripe watermelon has a uniform color and a spherical shape. A strong rind that is difficult to pierce with a fingernail and a bright color are a sure sign of ripeness. The smell of the crust of an unripe fruit is vaguely reminiscent of the smell of hay.

The right choice is that the watermelon should be dry. It's very simple: when it matures and stops receiving moisture from the ground, the tail becomes dry. If you see a green tail on the fruit, then you know that it is not yet ripe. Over time, such a tail turns yellow. If it is ripe, then its tail breaks, otherwise it will be lethargic. If its tail is cut off, it is better not to buy such a berry.

Large yellow spots are a sign that they were collected from the garden ahead of schedule. But small light spots appear on ripe fruit. They appear after chlorophyll production stops. The largest spot should be within 10 cm.

Let's figure out how to choose sweet fruit by its size. Large fruits are mainly the result of fertilizer use. They most often contain large amounts of nitrates. And small ones may be unripe, although very sweet fruits are sometimes found among them. Therefore, we choose the medium size.

How to choose a watermelon by sound?

To determine the ripeness of a fruit, you need to knock on it with your fist. You will hear a characteristic sound. Why knock on the watermelon? This is probably the most common way to determine maturity. If you hear a ringing sound, this is a good sign, it means the fruit is fresh and ripe, but if the sound is dull, then it is better not to buy it. You can squeeze it with your hands and listen, if the watermelon crackles, then feel free to take it.

There are boys and girls watermelons. Oddly enough, watermelons also have gender. A girl can be recognized by her flat bottom, while watermelons with a convex bottom are considered boys. The girl is distinguished by a large brown circle at the bottom, while the male half has a small one.

Watermelon girl is usually always very sweet and tasty. If you're not a fan large quantity seeds, then your choice is a watermelon girl.

You can ask the seller about the origin of the fruit, where it came from, and then draw your own conclusions.

How to expose nitrates? After you have chosen the right watermelon in your opinion, take a closer look at what it is like from the inside. Doubts should be raised by the unnaturally bright pulp, which has purple shade. Smooth and glossy flesh refers to watermelons grown unnaturally. And remember, nitrates accumulate closer to the crust, so for safety reasons, it is better to always give children the middle.

Is watermelon a fruit or a berry? Most likely, a large berry that loves warmth and a lot of sun. Watermelon, like melon, is classified as a heat-loving crop of the Pumpkin family, growing in direct sunlight. There has been a lot of debate about what a watermelon is: a fruit, a vegetable or a berry. According to their own taste qualities it looks more like a fruit, but since fruit grows on a tree, and a watermelon spreads on the ground, they decided to classify it as a berry.

TO beneficial properties Watermelon can be attributed to its ability to alkalize the body. You can calmly arrange with him fasting days, which are tolerated by the body very easily, due to their high fiber content. It extinguishes the feeling of hunger. The fruit has a pronounced diuretic property, which means that it cleanses the entire urinary system. It perfectly quenches thirst. It contains:

• ascorbic and folic acid;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• pectin.

If you are a watermelon lover, then you just have to learn how to choose it correctly. The tips listed above will definitely be useful to you.

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

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

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

Ripeness in appearance

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

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

People's experiments have shown that good fruit has large distances between dark stripes on the skin.

Selecting watermelon by size

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

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

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

Does the condition of the stalk affect the taste?

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

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

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

Selecting watermelon by weight

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

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

Choosing a watermelon by sound

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

Secrets of successful choice

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

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

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

Video “How to choose a ripe and tasty watermelon”

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

In the summer the most favorite treat children and adults - watermelon. The juicy aromatic fruit is useful alternative dessert. Do not rush to buy berries; they may turn out to be completely tasteless and watery.

How to choose the right watermelon so that it turns out to be ripe and sweet, what you need to pay attention to, will be advised by the advice of experienced farmers.

The height of the watermelon season does not come until August. At this time, melons and watermelons are ripening in the melon patch. Therefore, without any fears, you can safely buy crops in the last month of summer.

However, some sellers begin trading almost from the beginning of June. It is very dangerous to buy fruits at this time; most likely, they were used for early ripening chemical substances which accelerate growth. These components include nitrates. They are not noticeable by sight or taste, but to the human body cause colossal harm, up to severe food poisoning

Important! For the presence of nitrates watermelon pulp can be checked the folk way. The pulp is crushed and placed in a glass of water. If the water turns red, it is absolutely forbidden to eat the fruit. The appearance of turbidity in the glass indicates that the pulp is healthy.

What to look for

There are several ways to help you choose a crop with ripe and aromatic pulp. They are not difficult to remember, but in practice they will be very useful.

Peel

It is necessary to carefully examine the fruit from all sides for cracks, mechanical damage, and scratches. The skin must be intact, without flaws. Damaged areas of the skin indicate that microbes could have already penetrated into the watermelon pulp; it is better not to buy such a fruit.

The culture is brightly colored - the more intensely the stripes are colored green, the sweeter the pulp will be. Bright green stripes are a sign that the fruit has been in the sun for a long time and has already ripened well.

The yellow spot is the place where the fruit lay while it was ripe. If it has a white tint, it means that the fruit has not been lying on the melon field for too long. The size of the spot on a mature watermelon can reach from 5 to 10 centimeters in diameter.

The peel can be lightly rubbed with your hand - there should not be a strong odor from it. If the aroma of fresh hay is present, it means the watermelon is not yet ripe.

Size

Many people mistakenly assume that the larger the watermelon, the sweeter it is. This rule rarely works. The most optimal size is medium. Small watermelons are most often unripe fruits, and overgrown ones are berries that have been heavily pumped with nitrates by unscrupulous farmers.

Of all the fruits presented, you need to choose a watermelon weighing up to 20 kilograms, no more.

Boy or girl

Lovers of sweet berries know that there is a difference between the shape of the fruit. Some watermelons have an elongated shape, with a convex lower part - these are the so-called male representatives. In female watermelons, the shape of the fruit is more flattened and round, and the bottom is flat.

It is believed that girl watermelons taste the sweetest. Their flesh literally melts in your mouth, and there are few seeds.

Sound

The most common way to determine the ripeness of a fruit is to knock on it. If the knock is dull, unclear and generally hard to hear, most likely the pulp is not yet ripe. When you tap a ripe watermelon, the sound is clear and ringing. You can try to lightly press on the walls of the fruit - if they crack, be sure to buy such a specimen.

Important! If the watermelon is already overripe, then squeezing the peel can lead to further cracking.

Tail

Absolutely every fruit has a tail located in the upper part. If it is yellow in color and dry to the touch, it means that the berry has already been picked ripe. A green tail indicates that the watermelon is not yet fully ripe.

However, with this method of assessment, errors sometimes occur. After all, even unripe watermelons Over time, the tail dries out and turns yellow. But if there is no tail at all, this should alert you. It was cut off by an unscrupulous seller to hide its ripeness - such fruits should be avoided.

Where is the best place to buy

You can purchase the culture in any large supermarkets and grocery stores. There, storage standards, special conditions and product proximity are observed. You can buy fruits in the markets, but you should inquire about the availability of a quality certificate. Any seller should have it. The certificate indicates where the watermelon was grown, its harvest date, and may even indicate the absence or, conversely, the content of nitrates.

If there is no certificate, or the seller behaves insecurely, you need to leave - this place probably sells low-quality products. The presence of a certificate is always a positive aspect when selling berries and indicates the good reputation of the seller.

Very often at the market, to make sure the berries are ripe, sellers offer to cut off a piece and let the buyer taste the pulp. This cannot be done. There may be an infection on the knife, and the watermelon itself has not yet been washed. Many cases of poisoning occur precisely because of such unsanitary conditions.

When the fruit has already been purchased, before you start eating it, wash it well in the bathroom or sink with soap and baking soda. Then the skin is wiped dry and only then cut into pieces and enjoyed the aroma and sugary taste.

Subscribe to the channel in Yandex.Zen! Click "Subscribe to channel" to read the site in the Yandex feed

We remember summer not only for the abundance of sun, travel and fresh herbs, but also for the delicious dessert of this season - watermelons. A ripe watermelon with velvety and juicy pulp will come in handy on a hot day, but the main thing is to choose the right one delicious watermelon. For some time, watermelon was considered a useless fruit, but later it was found that this large berry is a real storehouse of fiolic acids, which have a beneficial effect on blood formation and chemical processes in the body. Despite the fact that watermelon consists of 90% of its mass water, it also contains useful material– vitamin C, fiber and iron, etc.

Surely, fans of this delicious berries there are quite a few. However, does each of us know how to choose the right watermelon? Unfortunately, finding absolutely organic fruits, like watermelons, is now very problematic. However, choosing the most “clean” berry, without an excess of nitrates and other things harmful to the body, is not so difficult. There are several secrets on how to choose the right delicious watermelon.

Choose the place and time to buy watermelon carefully. If you want to fully enjoy a delicious watermelon without compromising your own health, then watch where you are going to buy watermelon. It is highly not recommended to buy watermelons near dusty roads, along which cars constantly drive, releasing harmful gases into the air. Although, on the other hand, this is the most common option; buying a watermelon while traveling near the highway is simple and quick. Watermelons in stores do not differ in taste either - as a rule, supermarkets buy them while they are still unripe. The ideal place to buy is a tent next to the field where these watermelons grow. It is better not to buy early watermelons; it is better to enjoy melons no earlier than August.

Pay attention to the color of the watermelon. The “face” of the berry will always tell you how to choose a sweet watermelon. Pay attention to the color of the watermelon: it should be contrasting, but not matte. However, it is difficult to choose a watermelon on this basis: before selling, watermelons are thoroughly rubbed with a rag, giving it marketable condition, and therefore determining the ripeness of a berry only by color is a risky endeavor. A yellow spot is also a must-have attribute of a tasty watermelon. It doesn’t say anything about ripeness, but the size of the spot can tell about the taste of the berry: if the size of the spot varies from 5 to 10 cm, it means you got a quite sweet and juicy fruit.

Determine the ripeness of a watermelon by sound. Many people mistakenly believe that you can choose a good watermelon by its dull sound. In fact, when tapped, a proper watermelon should make a ringing sound, which indicates the porosity of the pulp, and, consequently, the ripeness of the berry. It is difficult to convey in words the sound made by a ripe watermelon, but with a little practice you can easily determine the correct sound. Also, when slightly squeezed, the watermelon should crack slightly, which will also notify you of its ripeness and juiciness.

The absence of a stalk is a bad sign! Another way to choose a ripe watermelon is to carefully examine the stalk or the so-called “tail” of the fruit. It should be moderately dry and yellow: a too dry stalk indicates that the watermelon has undergone long-term transportation and storage, which is unlikely to benefit its taste. It’s better not to buy a watermelon without a “tail”: most likely, it was deliberately torn off to hide it poor quality fetus

Ripe and juicy watermelon never sinks in water. In addition, when cut, the berry will diverge, cracking slightly under the knife blade. The seeds of a ripe watermelon are dark brown or even black in color. White seeds are a sign of an unripe fruit or high content nitrates in berries.

Knowing the secrets of how to choose a good watermelon, you can have no doubt about the ripeness of the purchased fruit; when you cut it, you will feel the sweet aroma and immediately understand that you have made the right choice.

Text: Anastasia Builova