How to Choose a Sweet Watermelon This Summer
Not everyone knows how to tell the difference in sound when knocking on a watermelon. A watermelon with a beautiful, evenly colored rind is not necessarily a sweet one. Adding something on the outside of the watermelon can help it last longer.
As summer arrives, families’ demand for buying and enjoying fruit increases. To cool down, a familiar fruit that is suitable for all ages, easy to eat, and not too expensive is the watermelon.
Usually, to choose a sweet, ripe watermelon, the most popular method that many people apply and pass on is to knock on the fruit. If the watermelon makes a dull sound, it indicates that the watermelon is ripe and sweet. If the sound is sharper, then the watermelon is unripe and will taste bland.
There is also another type of sound, a sort of hollow thump. In this case, the watermelon is ripe but past its prime, and the inside may even be mushy. It is not recommended to buy such a watermelon.
Knocking is a common method used by many when buying watermelons (Illustrative image)
However, according to experienced individuals, there is more to it than just knocking. You can look at a few details on the watermelon to make a better choice.
Signs of a Sweet Watermelon
1. The Bottom of the Watermelon
First, look at the bottom of the watermelon, specifically the color. The bottom of the watermelon usually touches the ground and is often yellow. So, if it is yellow or yellowish-orange, or even brownish, it means the watermelon is sweet. If it is white or lighter in color, the watermelon will not be as sweet.
The sweetness of a watermelon can be determined by the color of its bottom, from left to right (Illustrative image)
2. The Stem, Top, and Belly Button of the Watermelon
After checking the bottom, turn the watermelon over to observe the stem. A sweet watermelon will have a small, withered stem. Especially if the stem is curly and still firmly attached to the fruit.
If the stem is still long and fresh in color, it means the watermelon was picked too early and is unripe. These watermelons will need to be kept for a long time to ripen before they can be enjoyed.
The curlier and drier the stem, the sweeter the watermelon (Illustrative image)
In some cases, the watermelon may not have a stem when displayed in the shop. In that case, look at the top or the opposite side, called the belly button. For round watermelons, the deeper the indentation at the top or belly button, the sweeter and riper the watermelon.
On the other hand, for oval-shaped watermelons, the indentation should be moderate. If it is too deep, it means the watermelon is overripe, and the inside may be mushy.
3. The Rind
Look at the overall appearance of the watermelon’s rind to make your final judgment. Specifically, the smoother the rind and the clearer the veins, the riper the watermelon. If the veins are not very clear, and there are black patches, they should be dark and shiny.
You can also check for brown spots or bee stings. If there are many scattered spots, it means bees have visited the watermelon multiple times. The more pollination, the sweeter the watermelon.
The veins on the watermelon’s rind can also indicate its ripeness (Photo by Lê Văn Lộc)
In addition to the above three characteristics, which help buyers easily identify a sweet watermelon, the website Eatthis also points out another trick to distinguish ripe watermelons. It is to observe the position of the watermelon when displayed in the supermarket or fruit shops.
Usually, watermelons are placed in a separate area, away from other fruits due to their large size. However, if you see some watermelons placed near bananas or other fruits that produce ethylene gas, it means those watermelons are too unripe and may be forced to ripen. Additionally, the presence of ethylene can increase the risk of spoilage.
How to Store Watermelon at Home
Once you’ve bought a sweet watermelon, don’t forget to pay attention to how to store it properly. According to experts, to store watermelons for the longest time, up to a month, create a protective layer outside the fruit.
You can put the watermelon in a zipper bag, plastic bag, or wrap the outside of the watermelon with 1-2 layers of food wrap and place it in the dedicated fruit compartment in the refrigerator.
If you store the watermelon at room temperature, avoid direct sunlight and keep it in a dry, well-ventilated place. However, watermelons stored this way will only last about a week.
For cut watermelons, it is best to store them in the refrigerator, either in the freezer or the cooler. Place the cut watermelon in an airtight container to prevent the watermelon from losing water, becoming soft, and losing its flavor.
During the hot summer days, you can take advantage of watermelons to make delicious dishes for your family, such as ice cream, smoothies, and more.
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With just a few knife strokes, you no longer have to worry about eating and spitting out the seeds. This is also a safe way for you to let your child enjoy watermelon without the fear of choking on the seeds.
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