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Look for the yellow spot: Watermelons develop a splotch where they rest on the ground. When this splotch is creamy yellow, it’s ripe. Give it a thump: Tap the underbelly of the watermelon. A ripe one will have a deep hollow sound, which means it is brimming with juice and at the peak of its ripeness.
How can you tell if a watermelon is sweet?
Look for an orange creamy field spot. The darker yellow field spot usually means it was on the vine longer and is full of flavor. If the field spot is white that’s a sign that the melon is not quite ripe. Larger “webbing” or “sugar spots” means that the melon is seeping out sugar and is usually the sign of sweet melon.
What color should a watermelon be when it is ripe?
“Ripe watermelons normally develop a yellow color on the ‘ground spot’ when ripe,” Upham said.
What is the sweetest watermelon?
Sultan. Sultan is one of the sweetest varieties you’ll find, this one measures 12.3 on the Brix scale. The fruits average 15 pounds and ripen within 95 days.
Where is the best watermelon in the world?
China 118 Countries #1 China Metric Tons 63,955,831.45 Last 2019 YoY +1.5 % 5‑years CAGR +0.7 %.
How do you tell if a watermelon is ripe by knocking on it?
Do a thump test. A ripe watermelon should have a deep hollow sound when you thump the rind with your hand, similar to a knock on the door. An unripe melon will have a more high-pitched resonance, whereas an overripe melon will sound more like a thud.
How do you tell if a watermelon is sweet or ripe?
If it is ripe, the color should be a creamy, almost butter-like yellow. The bigger the yellow belly and the creamier the color means the more time the melon spent ripening on the vine. However, if the spot is smaller or looks more white than yellow, then the melon may not be as ripe.
What should the bottom of a ripe watermelon look like?
Look for a symmetrical watermelon that is heavy for its size. Look at the bottom of the melon, where it sat on the soil while growing. A yellow or creamy underside indicates ripeness. A greenish-white color beneath the outermost layer of the rind signifies a ripe watermelon.
What is a black diamond watermelon?
Black Diamond is a classic oblong watermelon with a black-green rind covering bright red, crisp, flavorful flesh. In the 1950s, Black Diamond was a very popular home garden variety. Fruits have gray-black seeds (perfect for seed spitting contests) and can grow quite large.
Why is my watermelon white inside?
If your watermelon flesh looks solid white instead of white-streaked, you can rule out white heart and consider whether you have planted the wrong watermelon seeds. This disorder can be caused by over-watering or over-feeding your watermelon patch, especially during the ripening process.
Are round or oblong watermelons sweeter?
An oval (elongated) shaped watermelon will be more watery while a round shaped watermelon will be sweeter. Webbing is the brown, course web looking materiel. This is caused when bees pollinate the flower and scar the membranes that later forms the fruit. The more pollination the sweeter the watermelon.
What state has the best tasting watermelon?
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Summer means relaxing by the pool, barbeques and refreshing slices of watermelon and no one produces more of this favorite summertime fruit than Florida. The Sunshine State is the top producer of watermelon in the United States.
Do watermelons have a gender?
All watermelons come from a female flower but they develop into fruits. Fruits have no sex parts and no gender. The myth goes that male watermelons are bigger, more of an oblong shape, and have a watery taste. Female watermelons are smaller and more round and have a sweeter taste.
Are watermelon good for you?
It has a very high water content and provides nutrients like lycopene, citrulline, and vitamins A and C. Studies suggest that this sweet, red melon may even boost heart health, reduce muscle soreness, and decrease inflammation, though more research is needed.
Can I ripen a watermelon once it has been cut?
Watermelon does not ripen after harvesting, but it can get mushy in the refrigerator if it is a little overripe when picked, even before you cut into it. Once you have cut the watermelon, you can store it in the refrigerator for two to three days.
Do watermelons continue to ripen after being picked?
Some, like watermelon, do not continue to ripen once harvested. Therefore, flavor will not improve nor will they become sweeter—t is what it is at harvest. However, cantaloupe and similar fruit will continue to ripen after harvest.
Why is my watermelon hard inside?
When a watermelon gets too ripe for its own good, the juicy crisp texture of the flesh can turn gritty and dry. If you cut it open, you might see the flesh actually pulling away from the seeds. If your watermelon is mealy, it’s still safe to eat.
Does watermelon get sweeter after you cut it?
“In general, melons will not change significantly once they’re harvested from the vine,” Green explains. She says that cantaloupes, honeydew, and watermelon are all non-climacteric fruits, which means that once they’re harvested, they won’t continue to become tastier or sweeter like peaches or bananas will.
