Do watermelons ripen when picked?
What a pleasure it is to enjoy the juicy cool pulp of a watermelon on a hot summer day! A couple of ripe slices will saturate the body with moisture twice as much as a glass of water.
How to choose the right watermelon and can it ripen at home if it sits? You will learn the answers to these questions, as well as what to do with unripe fruits, from the article.
Sometimes, due to the cold and rainy summer, gardeners have doubts: will the melons in the beds have time to ripen?
Often, gardeners pick fruits unripe in the hope that they will sit and ripen at home. This assumption is based on the fact that some vegetables (tomatoes, zucchini, melons) will ripen during storage.
However, watermelon acquires sweetness and aroma only in the garden under the sun's rays . Even for long-term storage, fruits are stored when they are fully ripe.
Before the purchase
To preserve your health and the well-being of your loved ones, when buying a watermelon, do not neglect the following rules :
- Buy berries only during the ripening season, in late August - early September. Otherwise, there is a risk of nitrate poisoning.
- Buy only in places authorized and equipped for melon trade, avoiding counters on the roadsides.
- Do not hesitate to ask sellers for permission to trade and product certificates.
- It is strictly forbidden to buy fruits with mechanical damage. Through cracks and cuts, pathogenic microbes easily penetrate into the pulp, which can cause food poisoning.
If the outlet meets all the requirements, we can safely proceed to choosing a treat.
Just like in the garden bed, you should focus on the dry tail and the bright yellow spot on the side . A ripe watermelon has clear, contrasting stripes. The crust is shiny and smooth. It cannot be pierced with a fingernail.
The sweet berry springs and resonates when tapped . You need to put the fruit on one palm and lightly pat it with the other. In this case, a resonance should be felt in the hand on which the watermelon lies. When you tap a ripe watermelon, you hear a clear and ringing sound. If you put the fruit to your ear and squeeze it hard with your hands, the ripe peel will bend slightly and crack.
On a note. Berries with a wide and flat circle at the tip are “girls”. They are sweeter and have fewer seeds.
Storing watermelon
Information on methods and features of storing grown or purchased watermelons is given in the table:
| Storage method | Peculiarities | Deadlines |
| Fridge | It is better to store on the bottom shelf. |
The peel should not have cracks, dents, or signs of damage.
The cut fruits are placed cut side down in a suitable container and covered with film.
The slices are placed in a deep bowl and covered with film so that it does not come into contact with the pulp.
- early varieties - 1.5-2 months;
- late - up to 3 months.
Cut: 1-2 days.
Use peeled and seeded slices. The pulp does not tolerate thawing well and loses some of its sugar and structure. Suitable for making juices and cocktails.
Will an unripe watermelon ripen at home?
In July they sell unripe watermelons, of course I really want them - even if they are unripe, how can they ripen? How can this unripe creature be made tastier, should I really add sugar? I understand that a watermelon is not a tomato. But maybe someone here can do something knows?)))
Buying your first watermelons is dangerous. There is a high risk of getting food poisoning. But what about whether it will ripen or not)? Probably not. In my memory this has never happened) Real ripe watermelons will appear in August, just a little left))
Many people are interested in this question. And not because you bought a couple of watermelons and decided to let them ripen, but because of the early varieties.
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For example, “Ogonyok” and “Baby” watermelons were planted on our site.
The baby is generally dark green, small in size, and his lashes are dry. It became cool outside, we picked watermelons and other fruits from the bushes.
And then the question arose: will watermelon ripen at home, like pumpkins, apples, and tomatoes?
Unfortunately no.
This is a berry that tends to spoil over time. The same raspberries will not sit for a long time; on the second day they will be covered with a coating.
Therefore, picked watermelons should be eaten, regardless of the fact that they have absorbed the desired sweetness or are weakly sweet.
The baby is generally dark green, small in size, and his lashes are dry. It became cool outside, we picked watermelons and other fruits from the bushes.
How do you know when a watermelon is ripe?
It's hard to imagine a hot summer day without a cool, juicy watermelon! The soft fresh taste, delicate aroma, and the presence of a large number of microelements and vitamins have made this berry one of the most favorite among children and adults.
There are a great many ways to consume watermelon: it is eaten fresh, fermented, candied with candied fruits, etc. Well, how to choose a watermelon so that it does not deceive our expectations? How can you tell if a watermelon is ripe in the garden?
It is worth noting that it is more difficult to make a mistake in the garden and it is easier to choose a ripe watermelon than in the store. Looking at the harvest of watermelons, an inexperienced gardener asks the question: how can you tell when a watermelon is ripe in the garden and it’s time to harvest it?
How do you know when a watermelon is ripe?
To do this, you need to carefully examine the berry, paying attention to the following external signs:
• side spot: its presence indicates that the berry is ripe in the place where it was grown, and was not picked unripe.
A white spot indicates that it is too early to pick a watermelon - the flesh is not ripe, but a yellow-orange spot indicates that it can already be eaten; • appearance of the peel: the peel should be hard and smooth without external damage, with a bright shine, the absence of a “waxy film” and a clear pattern. If the watermelon is ripe, it will be difficult to scratch the peel with a fingernail;
A ripe watermelon should have a hard and smooth rind without external damage, with a bright shine, no “waxy film” and a clear pattern.
• condition of the stalk: by the condition of the “tail” it is easy to determine the degree of ripeness of the berry.
When ripening, the stalk and its base begin to dry out and are easily separated from the watermelon. If the “tail” is green, you need to be careful! The watermelon was most likely picked unripe, so that it could be conveniently transported over long distances.
• “butt” of watermelon: when choosing a berry, you should take into account that the watermelon berry is bisexual and there are “boy” and “girl” berries, which, according to many lovers of this berry, is much sweeter.
“Girl” has a flat lower part and a wide circle at the base, respectively, “boy” has a very small circle and a slightly convex lower part.
Signs that a watermelon is ripe
How can you tell by sound that a berry is ready to eat?
To do this, you need to conduct a small experiment. We will tell you how to tell if a watermelon is ripe in the garden by the sound. A ripe watermelon resonates when tapped. To make sure of this, you need to place the berry on your left palm and lightly pat it with your right. In this case, the ripe berry will transmit sound, and you can feel the resonance in the hand on which the watermelon lies.
We recommend reading the article about how to grow watermelon in a greenhouse.
So, there are seven main signs by which you can definitely determine and understand that a watermelon is ripe and tasty.
1. Average size and weight 5-7 kg.2. Contrasting coloring with clearly defined stripe boundaries.3. Hard shiny crust.4. Resonant sound.5. A wide and flat mug for “girls” berries and a small convex one for “boys” berries.6. Moderately dry tail.
7. Rich yellow or dark orange lateral spot.
By following our recommendations, you will be able to choose a ripe, aromatic berry, but you should consider a few more rules for purchasing it.
Basic rules to apply when buying watermelon
The first rule: watermelon should be purchased exclusively during the ripening season: late August-early September, in order to avoid becoming a victim of nitrate poisoning.
Rule two: you must buy berries only in those places that are designated for trade in melons. Avoid market stalls on the side of the road, as watermelons easily absorb harmful emissions and can become hazardous to health!
Third rule: check permits and product certificates. Don't be shy about doing this. The question is about your health! The certificate will tell you about the quality of the product, the amount of nitrates contained and other indicators that may affect your health.
Rule No. 4: watermelon must be purchased whole, without mechanical damage. Cracked or cut watermelon can absorb pathogens, leading to food poisoning.
Fifth rule: consider the size of the berry. Traditionally it is believed that the larger and lighter the watermelon, the sweeter it is. But there is a danger that in large specimens the nitrate content is increased. Therefore, listen to the recommendations and follow the “golden mean”, choose a medium-sized watermelon.
: how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon
Having carefully studied our recommendations and learned how to understand that a watermelon is ripe in the garden, you will not be mistaken in your choice, and the dinner table will be decorated with the best summer berry - a fragrant, juicy ripe watermelon!
Source: https://ogorodnik.net/kak-ponyat-chto-arbuz-sozrel/
How to choose a watermelon
To ensure long-term storage, follow our rules:
- Don't buy fruit early in the season. The end of September is the best time to stock up on watermelons.
- If you grow watermelons yourself, let the fruits ripen naturally and do not overuse fertilizers that accelerate ripening. After all, watermelon pulp absorbs all harmful elements very quickly. Also note that too rainy summers and lack of sun can cause a significant amount of nitrates to appear in the pulp of watermelons;
- Do not purchase berries at random sales points near roads or if the fruits are placed directly on the ground without appropriate flooring or trays, as well as without a canopy (exposure to direct sunlight leads to rapid overripening). Microcracks in the skin of a watermelon allow microbes to quickly penetrate into the pulp if the picked fruit is stored directly on the ground, and heavy metals from exhaust gases are absorbed into the fruits offered at roadside sales points literally within a couple of hours;
- Ask the seller if there is a certificate for the product and a health book;
- Do not buy watermelons in large supermarkets - as a rule, unripe fruits are delivered there;
- For long-term storage, try to choose medium-sized watermelons weighing four to five kilograms;
- A ripe watermelon is distinguished by a dry tail and a keratinized halo underneath. Please note that the ponytail itself may dry out during storage, so be sure to pay attention to the condition of the halo;
- The spot from contact with the ground should be small and yellow in color. The white color of the spot indicates the presence of nitrates in the watermelon;
- If the fruit variety suggests the presence of stripes, pay attention to their clarity and contrast - blurred stripes also indicate the presence of nitrates in the pulp;
- Choose watermelons without external damage - cracks, scratches and other defects;
- Pay attention to the peel, it should be glossy. A matte peel, again, indicates the presence of nitrates;
- Choose a ripe watermelon: the skin of a ripe fruit cannot be pierced with a fingernail, and when rubbed against the skin of such a watermelon, the smell of freshly cut grass should not be present. The presence of such an odor indicates the immaturity of the fetus. Ripeness can also be determined by tapping, while a ripe watermelon makes a dull resonating sound, and when squeezed with your hands, such a fruit cracks slightly;
- Of two watermelons of the same size, the one that weighs less is sweeter. Also, on the opposite side of the tail, a halo of wider diameter indicates the “female gender” of the fruit - this watermelon is sweeter and contains fewer seeds.
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Do watermelons ripen when picked: methods for determining ripeness, terms and storage conditions
After purchasing a watermelon, it sometimes turns out that the fruit is unripe. This situation also happens to inexperienced farmers who grow crops and do not know all the intricacies of harvesting. Trying to solve the problem, people wonder whether it is possible to make an unripe fruit ripen at home. You will find the answer to this question later in the article.
In the garden
You can determine the maturity of a product by its appearance. Agronomists name five main signs of ripeness of berries that are still in the garden:
- The outer layer is shiny, there is no plaque, the surface cannot be scratched or pierced.
- The stripes on the peel are clear, without blurring.
- On the side that was on the soil there is a yellow or light brown spot.
- When tapped, a loud resonating sound comes from inside.
- The tail that connects the watermelon to the melon has dried out.
The fifth point is the most important. A dry tail indicates that the berry has ripened and finished ripening - now it does not need nutrition from the main bush. Thus, the plant itself gives a signal to stop growing.
A fruit that meets all the specified characteristics can be immediately picked from the garden.
Before the purchase
A high-quality watermelon in stores can be determined by the same characteristics as in the garden. Also pay attention to the following recommendations:
- The purchase time should be “watermelon” - from late summer to early autumn. By this time, the harvest is finally ripe.
- Avoid products with cracks, nicks or cuts.
- Ask about the type and characteristics of the product being sold - a conscientious seller will answer all your questions.
Many sources advise choosing fruits weighing 5–7 kg. The advice is partly justified: these are average cultural indicators. However, the weight and even the shape of the watermelon depends on the variety that the farmer grows .
For example, varieties Bolshoy Sakharny, Kai, Podarok Severu are characterized by a weight of up to 10 kg. There are also small-fruited hybrids - Ogonyok, Moon, Shuga Delikata; their weight does not exceed 4 kg.
Therefore, it is important to know which variety you are buying.
Important! Buy food only from places with the necessary certification. In a roadside shop, the watermelon may be ripe, but the quality of the product can be questioned.
Can watermelon ripen at home?
Watermelons ripen only in garden beds, unlike melons or zucchini. A picked unripe fruit will retain all its qualities and will not ripen at home. That is why storing unripe berries and advice to let them “sit” in the sun do not make sense.
Storing watermelons in a summer cottage
How to store watermelons in the cellar?
To store watermelons in a cellar, you need to monitor the temperature. The most suitable temperature is +6…+8 °C. When storing fruits on racks, it is recommended to lay them in one layer, placing straw, chaff, pine needles or dry peat under them. Periodically, watermelons must be turned over and inspected to avoid bedsores.
Storage at higher temperatures is fraught with various diseases, for example, anthracnose and gray rot.
To store a watermelon in a vegetable pit, you need to layer it with wood shavings or straw. For this purpose, a shelter of a ten-centimeter layer of straw (or shavings) alternates with a thirty-centimeter layer of earth. Before placing watermelons in a hole, it is recommended to treat the fruits with twenty-five percent lime milk. This will protect watermelons from diseases.
And another video about storing watermelons
Their storage also requires the presence of a cellar or refrigerator (similar to pickling). Fruits can be fermented both in barrels and in jars. In fact, pickling watermelons is no different from pickling, but only involves adding spices, for example, garlic, herbs, ginger. The shelf life is similar - pickled watermelons must be consumed before spring.
Storing watermelons - how to store watermelons
Storing watermelons is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to extend the season of tasty and healthy berries. Using some tricks and tips, you can preserve the fruits for several months without losing their flavor characteristics.
Juicy and sweet with bright red flesh, watermelon is considered an exclusively summer treat.
Not many people know that striped berries tolerate long-term storage well and, under certain conditions, can last until the New Year.
Fresh watermelon will be more than just an unusual sweet treat for the winter table. The beneficial substances contained in the juicy pulp will provide good support for the body in the autumn and winter months.
How to store watermelon in a private house or apartment? Which methods are considered the best?
Choosing watermelon for long-term storage
When buying berries, you should pay attention to the variety, appearance and size of the berries.
- Variety It is recommended to choose late-ripening varieties: “Astrakhansky striped”, “Volzhsky”, “Dessertny” and others. Watermelons that ripen later than others have a thick rind that protects the pulp inside from damage. You need to buy them at the very end of the season: from mid-September to early October. If you plan to store berries from your own garden plot in storage, they must be collected several days before they are completely ripe.
- Appearance. When storing watermelons for long-term storage, only those that do not have visible damage are selected: deep scratches, cracks, unevenness. Their surface should be smooth and shiny.
- Dimensions. You should not put too large fruits in the cellar or refrigerator. The optimal weight is 4-5 kg.
If the choice was made correctly, the berries can retain their taste, aroma and beneficial properties almost throughout the winter.
Shelf life of watermelon
The main factors influencing the safety of the fruit are the ambient temperature and the integrity of the peel. Eating berries, especially cut ones, after the expiration date may have undesirable health consequences.
The optimal temperature in storage for melons should be between +2 and +5 degrees. In this regard, the best place to store watermelon is a cellar or refrigerator.
How long can watermelon be stored in the refrigerator?
If there is no cellar, and there is enough free space in the refrigerator, you can store the watermelon on a shelf or in the freezer. Many people are interested in how many days or months the berry can retain its taste and beneficial properties.
Shelf life of a whole watermelon in the refrigerator
If you purchase a late-ripening variety, you can store watermelon for 10-15 weeks. If the berry is an early-ripening variety and has a thin peel, it should not be kept in the refrigerator for longer than 1.5-2 months.
Before placing a whole fruit on a shelf, it is necessary to carefully inspect it for possible defects that appeared during harvesting or transportation.
It is not recommended to store watermelons with cracks, dents or other damage for long-term storage.
Shelf life of cut watermelon in the refrigerator
When buying a large berry, the problem of storing uneaten slices often arises. It is best to do this in the refrigerator. The maximum period during which the pulp will be usable does not exceed 2 days.
To prevent it from becoming slippery and unpleasant, it does not need to be covered with film. It is better to place the remaining piece cut side down on a plate and put a bag on top.
You should store sliced watermelon like this: place it in a deep bowl and also cover it, avoiding the film touching the pulp.
Shelf life of frozen watermelon in the freezer
Recently, freezing fresh vegetables and fruits for the winter has become increasingly popular. Many lovers of striped berries have a question: can watermelon be stored in the freezer?
Watermelon pulp does not tolerate low temperatures well, and after thawing it loses its natural structure. Slices of frozen fruit can only be used for preparing drinks such as cocktails, jelly, and juices. You should store watermelon in the freezer for no longer than 10-12 months.
How long can watermelon be stored at room temperature?
Storing watermelons at room temperature makes it possible to preserve almost all the beneficial substances. It is scientifically proven that in pulp that has not been subjected to prolonged cooling, the amount of beta-carotene and lycopene is almost 20% greater. So, how long can you store watermelon outdoors?
Shelf life of a whole watermelon at room temperature
The shelf life of whole fruits largely depends on their variety and ripeness. The berries that are thick-skinned and slightly unripe at the time of picking last the longest. If you create all the necessary conditions, then even at room temperature they will quietly lie for 4-5 weeks. The timing also depends on the initial condition of the melons.
Shelf life of cut watermelon at room temperature
If after lunch or dinner there is an uneaten piece of cut fruit, you should not leave it on the table, especially if the room is warm enough. The shelf life of open watermelon pulp at room temperature is only a few hours.
How long can you store watermelon in the cellar?
Before storing watermelon in the cellar, you need to make sure that the temperature and humidity percentage in it correspond to the recommended ones.
If these parameters are stable throughout the entire period, the berries can be kept for as long as on the refrigerator shelf: right up to the New Year and even longer.
With significant deviations in temperature and humidity, the time will be much shorter, and the taste characteristics will noticeably deteriorate.
How long can you store a cut watermelon?
Unlike whole berries, which will last for weeks or even months, cut fruits are suitable for consumption within a very short period of time: they can be stored from several hours to 1.5-2 days.
Watermelon peel reliably protects the pulp inside from the penetration of bacteria and other unwanted microorganisms. In the absence of such protection, sweet pulp becomes an ideal environment for the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microflora. A cut watermelon left in the open air becomes not so much tasteless as it becomes dangerous, as it can cause food poisoning.
Methods for storing a whole watermelon
There are many different proven methods to keep watermelon pulp juicy and sweet for a long time.
Before sending the berries to the cellar, they are placed in boxes, the bottom of which is covered with a thick layer of moss. It is better to collect it on a sunny day, when the top part of the plants is completely dry.
The free space between the walls of the box and the sides of the watermelon is also filled with moss. This will make it possible to store the watermelon for a longer time.
- Storing watermelons in a container with ashes.
Dry ash is poured into any wooden container (boxes, barrels, etc.) in a layer of 5-7 cm. Next, the fruits are placed, which must be covered with ash to the very top. The container must be closed as tightly as possible to prevent moisture penetration.
- Coating with clay or wax.
The clay is mixed with a small amount of water until a homogeneous mass is obtained with the consistency of thick sour cream. The wax is heated in a water bath until liquid. Next, the brush is well dipped in the prepared clay solution or wax and applied to the peel. After the composition dries, the berries are placed in a cool room.
For such storage, you will need nets and pieces of canvas or burlap. The berries are wrapped in fabric and lowered into nets, which are hung from hooks built into the ceiling of the cellar or basement.
If there are no special rooms such as a cellar or basement, the darkest and coolest room is suitable for storing the whole fruit. It is necessary to ensure complete darkness and daily turning of the fruit.
Suitable places to store watermelon
To preserve fresh fruits for as long as possible, you need to choose the right storage location. In a private house and apartment there are several of the most suitable rooms in which you can store watermelon for a long time.
Storing watermelon in the refrigerator
The safety of whole berries largely depends on temperature indicators. In this case, the temperature must be stable throughout the entire period. The most optimal place from this point of view is the refrigerator. The berries should be placed on the middle or lower shelf, previously covered with thick fabric.
Storing watermelons in the refrigerator has one drawback - the fruits take up a lot of space, which creates certain inconveniences when placing other products. If you plan to store the watermelon for 3-4 months, it is better to choose other suitable places for this.
Storing watermelon at home
The place in which the fruits will be located must satisfy two basic conditions: be cool enough (the temperature should not rise above +10 degrees) and dark.
The apartment meets these requirements with storage rooms, glazed balconies and loggias protected from direct sunlight. You can also store watermelon in the bathroom or on the mezzanine.
In a private home there are much more opportunities to find a good place in which the berries can lie in the fall and winter. Basements, attics, closets, and garages are best suited for this purpose. If you have a summer kitchen in your yard that is not used during the cold season, you can also keep berries in it for several months.
Storing watermelon in the cellar
The most suitable storage for melons and melons at home is the cellar. It maintains relatively stable temperature and humidity without sudden changes. Watermelons can be stored in various ways, but it is in the cellar that they will last the longest without loss of taste.
Conditions for long-term storage of watermelons
How to properly organize the storage of watermelons? How long they can be preserved without damage depends on preparation, proper placement of fruits and storage conditions.
Purchased or collected fruits should be inspected again to ensure there are no defects. If there is high humidity in the room and there is a possibility of mold or rot developing, it is worth treating the peel with a 2% lime solution.
Before planting berries, the room must be well ventilated. It is advisable to treat the cellar with antifungal agents. Watermelon must be stored separately from other vegetables and fruits. The berries should also not touch each other. There should be enough space on the racks or shelves to periodically turn them from side to side.
Storing watermelon for a long time is possible only under certain conditions. The premises must meet the following requirements:
- be well shaded;
- have natural or forced ventilation;
- the humidity in it should not exceed 85%, the lower limit is 65%;
- The optimal temperature range is from +3 to +5 degrees.
Periodically, the fruits are inspected and turned over.
Do watermelons ripen during storage?
Many people are interested in the question: do the berries ripen after being stored in storage? It all depends on how to store the watermelon.
If the room temperature does not rise above +3-5 degrees, the pulp will remain in the same condition as when collected or purchased. If the temperature is consistently higher (+20-25 degrees), ripening of almost ripe fruits is possible.
You should not use unripe fruits for storing in basements and cellars, because they will remain unripe.
Where to store a whole watermelon for the winter
To preserve whole berries until the winter months, you need to choose a place that will maintain the conditions most suitable for them. Deviation from the recommended indicators will not allow you to save berries for the winter.
So, when the temperature rises, the pulp will begin to deteriorate faster, and when it drops below 0 degrees, it will turn into ice. Too low humidity can cause melons to dry out, and the presence of excess moisture will cause premature rotting.
Before choosing a room where the berries will be stored, it is necessary to assess the possibility of meeting all requirements.
Storing processed watermelons
The method of storing fresh cut watermelons does not require more than three days in the refrigerator. In addition, we advise you not to purchase cut products, as the sweet, tasty and juicy pulp is very attractive to bacteria. It is unlikely that you can guarantee one hundred percent that in supermarkets offering a similar product, hygiene requirements are strictly observed in the process of cutting watermelons.
How to store salted watermelons?
Salted watermelon is an interesting dish in terms of taste. Many gourmets prefer salted watermelon to all other snacks. If you do not have the opportunity to preserve fresh watermelon at home, then pickling or pickling is just what you are looking for! Canned watermelon can be prepared in jars and stored for up to a year.
Pickled watermelons are stored for a very long time, but home-canned watermelons prepared using marinades are, in principle, not recommended to be stored for more than 1.5 years.
You are unlikely to be able to preserve salted watermelons in a barrel until spring. And this is connected not only with conditional shelf life - watermelons will simply be eaten with pleasure long before the restrictive dates. To pickle watermelons, use a cellar or refrigerator. Salting in cellar storage conditions involves the use of wooden barrels. Salted watermelons in jars (without using vinegar!) should be stored exclusively in the refrigerator or cellar.
Pickled watermelons
Their storage also requires the presence of a cellar or refrigerator (similar to pickling). Fruits can be fermented both in barrels and in jars. In fact, pickling watermelons is no different from pickling, but only involves adding spices, for example, garlic, herbs, ginger. The shelf life is similar - pickled watermelons must be consumed before spring.
How to easily determine the ripeness of a watermelon in the garden, the best methods, what not to do
Watermelon is adored for its sweetness, because this berry gets rid of thirst and removes toxic substances from the body. How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon in a garden is of interest to summer residents who planted this crop for the first time, because an unripe fruit is tasteless.
Although its pulp consists of more than 90% water, it contains vitamins and microelements such as phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. Folic acid, present in watermelon, strengthens the immune system, lycopene prevents cell degeneration, and tocopherol protects them from aging. Riboflavin helps convert carbohydrates into energy.
You can find out whether a striped berry is ripe by paying attention to certain signs. The fruits of some varieties of melons reach a weight of 20 kilograms, but if they stop growing, you can pick a watermelon after 20 days.
For comfort
- Ask to see documents confirming the quality and safety of watermelons and melons: a bill of lading, a certificate or declaration of conformity, for imported products - a phytosanitary certificate. The documents must also indicate where the melons came from.
