Sweet, ripe and very juicy - that’s what immediately comes to mind when the word “watermelon” is mentioned. In my head there is a picture of the largest piece with bright red pulp, which I so want to eat. Before you enjoy the long-awaited delicacy, you need to buy it. Here, many have difficulty in determining the ripeness and juiciness of the berry. How to distinguish a watermelon from a “girl” from a “boy” will be discussed later.
What time of year is watermelon tastier?
On the shelves of our stores you can see watermelon all year round. All because it is brought from distant hot countries. Such a pleasure in the off-season is much more expensive than if it were domestic and sold in the summer. You can choose a quality imported fruit by evaluating it visually. The peel of the berry should not contain mechanical damage, traces of decay.
It is also important to know how to distinguish a “boy” watermelon from a “girl” (photo below). Many buyers claim that the taste of the berry depends on this. It is important to choose it correctly.
If we are talking about local watermelons, then the ripening period is the summer and autumn months. Buying a watermelon before the end of August is not recommended, but it is best to purchase it in September. At other times, it is likely that the berry is grown using harmful nitrates and growth enhancers in greenhouse conditions. It may happen that the berry is simply filled with liquid. Evidence of such an intervention can serve as a trace on the watermelon peel in the form of a small black dot around which traces of decay are formed.
To the store for watermelon
Many buyers know that you can find a “girl” or “boy” watermelon on sale . However, when buying, you need to pay attention to a few more nuances. You can purchase quality products exclusively from trusted distributors. By purchasing a watermelon on the road or in a tent, which is located next to the carriageway, you can buy berries containing harmful toxins. This is due to the fact that the watermelon bark is porous and easily absorbs any harmful substances.
It is also worth paying attention to the presence of cracks and scratches on the peel, through which bacteria easily penetrate. When buying a watermelon in a store where the berries are located either on pallets or on the counter, you can be sure that no harmful substances enter the body with food. And the more chances to get a quality product.
Moreover, in the store for the goods sold there is a certificate issued by the sanitary-epidemiological service, and there is also permission to sell this category of goods.
Differences in watermelon by gender
When purchasing a berry from a trusted outlet, you should also learn how to determine if a girl is a watermelon or a boy. Fans of this delicacy know that this product has a gender difference.
Distinguishing them is fairly straightforward. You need to take the berry in your hands and look at the opposite side from the tail. The female fetus will have a depressed surface, and the male fetus will have a more convex surface. There you can also see a speck, a trace from the stalk, if it is small, then this is a “boy”. A large circle can be up to several centimeters in diameter. So this is a "girl." The taste of the berry also depends on other factors. It is necessary not only to know how to distinguish a watermelon "girl" from a "boy", but also a number of other nuances.
Which watermelon is sweeter?
Practice shows that the sweetness of a watermelon depends on its size, gender, and ripening time. Ripe and sweet berries are sold at the peak of ripening, around September. The question of how to distinguish a watermelon “boy” from “girl” is connected precisely with the difference in taste. The sweetness of such berries is different.
It is believed that the "girl" watermelon is sweeter than the "boy". The taste characteristics of the pulp may be indicated by the size of the berry. You should choose a medium-sized fruit. Small watermelons are usually not very sweet.
What else to look for?
To choose a delicious product, you will need to not only know how to distinguish a watermelon from a “girl” from a “boy” , but also pay attention to several details. You should also inspect the skin pattern. It should be smooth, clear, not dull. The presence of traces of cracks and scratches is not desirable, in order to prevent bacteria from entering the berry.
As the fruit grows on the ground, the side by which it is in contact with the soil will have a light spot mark. Its color can help pick a ripe and sweet berry. Ideally, the spot should be yellow, acceptable to a light orange color, but it should not be white in any way. This will indicate that the watermelon was cut prematurely.
Natural and ripe
There are still a couple of proven ways to distinguish a mature and high-quality watermelon. In the process of ripening, the fetus is filled with moisture and nutrients. The bush begins to fade, and the so-called tail (which connects the fruit and the bush) dries up. This suggests that after full ripening the stem will be completely dry, and the fruit will be ripe and tasty. Harvested watermelons on the tail will have a clear, even cut mark. Subsequently, this may affect the taste.
If everything is okay with the tail, you need to put a fingernail on the peel of the watermelon. If it seems that the crust is thick, then the fruit is ripe. In the case when the surface pierces easily, it is better to put the watermelon aside.
The characteristic ringing can also determine the degree of ripeness of the berry. You need to take a watermelon in your left hand, and tap it from top to bottom with your right hand. By the sensations of vibration in the left hand, one can judge that the fruit is ripe.
The naturalness of the watermelon is checked when it was brought home and cut. Before you try a piece of pulp, put it in a glass of water. Stir the contents. Water should not be stained. It remains transparent.
Having considered how to distinguish a watermelon "girl" from a "boy", as well as other tips for choosing, you can buy a delicious, natural and sweet fruit.