Food & Receipts

How to Select and Preserve Juicy Watermelons for Maximum Shelf Life

Ready to add some sweetness to your kitchen? XANH Kitchen Appliances is here to help with their "Cooking Tips" section – learn how to pick a perfect watermelon and make it extra sweet, fresh, and long-lasting today! Perfect for all watermelon lovers!

Administrator

13 August, 2023

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Best Time to Buy Delicious Watermelons

Northern Region

Watermelons are typically grown in the northern region during the Spring-Summer and Winter-Spring seasons. The harvest usually takes place in the summer, when the weather is dry and hot.

Residents of the northern region should purchase watermelons during the summer harvest season to ensure the freshest and sweetest watermelons.

Central Region

The climate in the central region is hotter compared to the other two regions, and the watermelon harvest season typically runs from May to August.

Therefore, individuals in the central region should also buy watermelons during this time to fully enjoy the taste of the watermelons during their peak season.

Southern Region

The weather in the southern region is generally pleasant and less variable compared to the other two regions. Watermelons are grown and harvested year-round, ensuring consistent quality.

Residents of the southern region can purchase watermelons at any time and always enjoy the sweetest and most delicious watermelons.

How to Choose Tasty Watermelons

Shape of the Watermelon

When selecting watermelons, look for those with a round and balanced shape. The head and tail should not be significantly different, as these are indicators of fresh and sweet watermelons.

Watermelons with irregular or asymmetrical shapes are usually a result of less optimal growing conditions, resulting in lower quality.

Watermelon Rind

Ripe watermelons typically have a dark green and moderately hard rind. Visible black veins evenly running across the fruit and spaced apart indicate ripeness.

Watermelon Stem

Ripe watermelons have small and withered stems, indicating maturity and sweetness. Younger watermelons have fresh green stems, suggesting early harvesting.

Bottom of the Watermelon

The bottom of the watermelon, which comes in contact with the ground during development, should be yellow or cream-colored. This indicates a delicious, fresh, and sweet watermelon.

Sound when Tapping

Gently press the watermelon skin; it should feel firm, not soft. Tapping the watermelon should produce a loud and clear “thud” sound.

Weight of the Fruit

If a watermelon feels heavier than others of the same size or larger, it indicates juiciness, freshness, and sweetness.

Male and Female Watermelons

Male watermelons have a small round area below the fruit stem, while female watermelons have a larger and more distinct round area. The number of seeds can also be used as an indicator.

Bees’ Marks

Brown spots or bee marks on watermelons indicate sweetness, as they come from contact with bees that pollinated the flowers before ripening.

How to Keep Watermelons Fresh for a Long Time

Use Salt

Soak watermelons in a basin of saltwater for 30 minutes, then dry with a clean cloth or fabric. The saltwater will create an anti-mold layer, prolonging the watermelon’s freshness.

Use Food Wrap

Wrap watermelons tightly with food wrap and store them in a cool, shaded place to avoid direct sunlight. This method can keep watermelons fresh for over a month.

Now that you know about the characteristics of delicious watermelons and how to keep them fresh, you can enjoy refreshing smoothies and other drinks with your family. Wishing you success in your watermelon selection!