How to pick ripe seedless watermelon? (5 giveaways)
In this brief guide, we will answer the question ‘ How to pick a ripe seedless watermelon?’. To buy a tasty, juicy fully-ripe watermelon we need to assess its external characteristics. A watermelon’s outer appearance is a giveaway and helps to pick a ripe and seedless one.
How to pick ripe seedless watermelon?
A ripe seedless watermelon should have the following attributes:
- firm
- heavy
- symmetrical and uniform
- free of unusual scars and bruises
- a dark green color
The Watermelon fruit is not only delicious but health-packed as well. It is rich in antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.
The health benefits that watermelon has to offer are endless; it protects against heart diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
Underneath its tough skin, watermelon is soft, fleshy, and juicy. If you are looking for a watermelon that is both ripe and seedless, then you need to make wise-buying decisions. The only way to confirm if your watermelon is desirable is to cut it open. However, some of us prefer to buy the whole watermelon.
We need to watch out for signs that indicate a ripe and seedless watermelon. There are tests and exams that you can perform to ensure that you take home the best possible watermelon.
1.Shape
watermelons should have a fixed shape, rather than irregular. A good watermelon would be symmetrical and free from visual defects. Irregularities indicate improper maturity or presence of undesirable organisms.
2. Weight
Watermelons are 92 % water. Therefore, a ripe and well-formed watermelon would contain the maximum amount of water possible. Lift it and check its mass. A heavier watermelon means a higher water content.
3. Appearance
The field spot is a secret sign that denotes the health of an individual watermelon. Precisely, the field spot is the time that watermelon has spent on the field.
Field spot is a pattern that leaves its mark because it doesn’t get sunlight. As watermelon grows on the ground, the unexposed surface is a different color than green.
A yellow spot means that it reached peak maturity before being plucked, therefore would be sweeter.
A white spot or a light-colored spot means the watermelon was plucked before it could ripen, hence the flesh will be bland instead of sweet.
Watermelon is a ‘non-climacteric fruit’- which means that it will not ripen after being plucked off the tree vine. Contrary to climacteric fruits non-climacteric fruits do not produce ethylene or ethylene treatment. In a nutshell, they are incapable of turning sweet and ripe in the store.
You may also find a dark brown rough patch that indicates that sugar has been seeping out from the watermelon. The sugar spot means that it is a sweet and tasty watermelon.
A similar mark that you may find is of a pollination point. The pollination point should be dots in a line instead of a scrape. This is also a sign for a fruit that is ripe and sweet.
The overall appearance of a good watermelon should be dull and plain instead of bright and shiny.
Other FAQs about Watermelon which you may be interested in.
How long is watermelon good for?
The four watermelon tests you can do for quality check:
The Rind Check
A ripe watermelon should have a thick, firm rind. If it budges upon pressure, it is most probably overripe.
The Stem Check
The stem usually stays intact after harvesting. Its appearance is an indicator of watermelon ripeness as it is a vital organ of a plant. The plant stem serves as a transport system for water and nutrients. The stem or the tail should be dried of a ripe watermelon. A premature watermelon on the other hand would have a green tail. A cracked and brown tail is of a watermelon that had attained ripeness on a vine. This is also a good indicator.
The Smell Check
Pick up your selected water-melon and take it away from the rest. Give your watermelon a deep sniff. A ripe watermelon should give an aroma of a standard g watermelon. An overly sweet or an underripe watermelon would smell different.
The Tap Test
Another is a tapping technique that is you check its quality by tapping on it. A deep and resonant sound upon tapping indicates that the watermelon is ripe, while a hollow and dull sound is from an overripe watermelon. This vibration analysis has gained recent popularity.
Look out for the following signs in a watermelon and do not consume if it shows any of the following signs.
A Dark-colored spot indicates a fungal or bacterial infestation or a rind worm injury is caused on the surface of a melon by insect feeding. The infection appears as irregular white to a light brown pattern.
A rancid or tangy smell, an unusual texture or color means that the watermelon is not safe to eat.
In this brief guide, we answered the question ‘ How to pick a ripe seedless watermelon?’. To buy a tasty, juicy fully-ripe watermelon we need to assess its external characteristics such as its size and appearance.
Citations
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-pick-a-watermelon#6.-Check-the-tail
https://leitesculinaria.com/284894/writings-how-tell-watermelon-ripe.html
https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/how-to-pick-a-superstar-watermelon/
https://www.treehugger.com/how-tell-if-watermelon-ripe-4858787
