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Watermelon is a summertime favourite fruit. It is made up of 90% water, which makes it a hydrating fruit. Watermelon has several health benefits. As per the National Library of Medicine, it contains antioxidants like lycopene, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. It is also a good source of vitamins A, C, and B6. The citrulline in watermelon can help relax blood vessels, leading to lower blood pressure.
Watermelon even contains amino acids that may relieve muscle soreness after exercise. It pairs well with feta cheese in a salad or can be made into a fruit smoothie. Sliced watermelon at a picnic makes a tasty and hydrating treat. With so many nutrients, watermelon is one of the healthiest ways to stay hydrated and beat the summer heat.
Here are some tips and tricks for choosing a good watermelon. Following these when selecting watermelons will help you choose ripe and juicy melons to enjoy on hot summer days.
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Check The Weight
Pick up two watermelons that are about the same size. Feel how heavy they are in your hands. The heavier one will probably taste juicier and be more ripe on the inside. This is because as a watermelon ripens, it gets sweeter and juicier. All that extra sugary juice adds weight.
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Knock On The Melon
One way to check is to knock on the outside of the melon with your knuckles, just like you would knock on a door. If the watermelon is ripe, it will make a deep, hollow sound when you knock. An unripe watermelon will make a higher-pitched sound when knocked. If the melon makes a flat, dull sound, that likely means it is overripe and past its prime.
Smell The Watermelon
Watermelons have a sweet, distinctive smell. When you pick up a watermelon, put your nose close and breathe in deeply. If you can barely detect any fragrance, the melon is probably not ripe yet. But if the smell is very strong, then the fruit is overripe. Trust your nose to know when a watermelon is perfectly ripe and ready to eat!
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Look At The Texture
The outer skin of a watermelon can tell you a lot about whether it is ripe. A ripe watermelon's rind is firm but gives away slightly when you push on it gently with your fingers. If the rind is very soft and squishy, the melon is overripe. An unripe watermelon will have a very hard rind that does not give away at all when pressed.
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Check The Field Spot And Colour
The best way to check if a watermelon is ripe is to look at its colour and markings. Ripe watermelons will have a dark green rind with light green stripes. Also check the spot where the melon rested on the ground. If this field spot is yellow, the melon has fully ripened on the vine. A white spot means the melon was picked too early.
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Consider The Size
When picking a watermelon, think about how many people you need to feed and where you'll store it. If it's just for you, get a small one that'll fit in your fridge. But if it's for a party, go bigger so there are enough tasty slices for everyone. The rind should be dull, not shiny, and sound hollow when tapped. A heavy melon is ripe and juicy inside. Pick one that's easy for you to carry and will keep nicely until you're ready to eat it.
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Uniform Shape
When picking out a watermelon, it's best to go for one that has a nice uniform shape all the way around. Watermelons that grow to be perfectly round or oval shaped tend to be the sweetest and ripest ones. If a watermelon has bumps or weird shapes on it, that's a sign it might not have had enough space to grow properly or didn't get enough sunlight. The odd shapes mean it probably won't taste as sweet.
