How to distinguish a ripe watermelon from a nitrate one. How to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon by appearance

“How to choose a watermelon?” — a question arises in the minds of thousands of people as soon as green-striped beauties begin to appear on the shelves of shops and markets. The task is not easy, but solvable.

You just need to remember a few proven ways to identify ripe and sweet watermelon.

There are a number of characteristics that will help you choose a truly ripe and sweet specimen from a pile of alluring striped fruits. Here is the treasured list:

size;
spot on side;
unharmed;
sound when tapping;
color and structure of pulp;
season;
appearance of the crust;
"floor" of watermelon.

In addition, there are quite popular “signs” of watermelon ripeness, which actually do not work and will not help you in such a task as choosing a ripe watermelon. The most common of them is the myth that a ripe watermelon must have a dry tail.

Many people try to choose a fruit that is not too large. Some fear that it will be too heavy and difficult to carry, while others are afraid that the watermelon has become large only because of the abundance of nitrates in it.

But there are different varieties of watermelons, and in some varieties the size of the fruit can reach 20 kilograms. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to give preference to a medium-sized watermelon. The rule of the golden mean also works in this case.

Ripe watermelon does not hide its “cheeks”

For reference: a “cheek” is a small light spot on the side of a watermelon, formed in the place where the watermelon lay when ripe. The spot is not a sign of disease or immaturity; the sun simply did not touch that area of the crust.

So, looking at the light spot on the rind will help you determine how to choose a good watermelon. Everything is simple here: the more yellow it has, the better.

But when buying a watermelon with a white circle on the side, you risk running into a tasteless product.

The size of the spot also requires attention. Know that a large spot indicates that the watermelon for a long time matured in not too warm conditions. Because of this, the fruit loses its taste and becomes less juicy.

Buying a watermelon at the market or from the back of a car on the side of the road, Special attention pay attention to this characteristic.

Under no circumstances should watermelon have the following flaws:

cracks;
dents;
cuts;
rotten areas (even very small ones!).

The fact is that the juicy and nutritious pulp of a watermelon is an ideal environment for the proliferation of bacteria, which, together with air and roadside dust, can get inside in abundance.

Eating watermelon with such a surprise can lead to poisoning and gastrointestinal disorder. The same applies to cut watermelons, so don’t try to save money by buying not a whole watermelon, but only a half. Such frugality can cost you dearly.

The most commonly used method of checking watermelon for ripeness is tapping. Yes, here’s the problem: everyone knocks, but few people remember what the sound of a ripe fruit should be. So remember: a ripe and juicy watermelon makes a ringing, booming sound, while an unripe one makes a dull sound.

An overripe watermelon also sounds dull, in which there is already too much moisture and it has begun to sour. It is also better to refuse such a purchase. Thus, ringing sound- good, deaf - bad.

To be sure, you can also squeeze the specimen you like with your hands. A slight crackle indicates readiness for use. The main thing is not to overdo it.

Color and structure of pulp

And this is a characteristic that will help you determine the ripeness of the fruit after cutting it. If the purchase is made in a supermarket, you can see halves of watermelon on the counter.

They are wrapped in cling film, which almost eliminates the entry of bacteria into the pulp, and provides you with the opportunity to study the product in detail. So how to choose delicious watermelon By appearance pulp?

There are two main positions: color and structure. The color of the pulp should be pinkish.

Scarlet color indicates the presence of nitrates or that the watermelon is overripe. Both of these things are not in his favor. The structure should be porous and granular. These watermelons are sometimes referred to as “sugar” watermelons.

Selling season

As a rule, watermelons begin to be sold almost from the beginning of summer. However, if you want to get your fill of the real southern fruit, and not the product of chemicals, you will have to wait until about mid-August.

Of course, there are also early varieties, but it still takes time to transport them. You may be lucky and the July watermelon will indeed be sweet, but it is unknown how healthy it will be.

A ripe watermelon can be easily distinguished from its peers by paying attention to the appearance of the rind.

Here Several main signs of a tasty watermelon:

the stripes forming the pattern must be clear;
glossy peel;
the crust is hard, it cannot be damaged without effort;
When the colored layer of the peel is damaged, a recognizable smell of fresh grass appears.

Signs indicating immaturity or disease of the fetus:

the pattern is broken or uncharacteristic, the stripes are blurry;
dullness of the peel;
the crust can be easily damaged even with a fingernail.

Choose a watermelon with more space between the stripes, as they are considered to be sweeter.

"Floor" of watermelon

It is believed that girl watermelons are sweeter than boy watermelons, although the division itself is arbitrary. How to choose a watermelon girl? Just look at the speck left in the place where the flower once was.

If the spot is flat and quite large, then it is a girl. In male watermelons, the spot is convex and smaller in size.

This division has nothing to do with biology and exists only to simplify the selection process. Indeed, girl watermelons turn out to be juicier and sweeter in practice. There is an assumption that this is due to the characteristics of pollination.

Is a dry tail a sign of ripeness?

It is believed that when a watermelon ripens, it can no longer take nutrients and moisture and under its own weight is separated from the bush. In general, the theory is correct, but it is broken by the fact that in practice the watermelon can be separated from the food route before being cut.

And the tail dries in 3 days, so there may well be a green watermelon with a dry tail on the counter.

If you still do not want to give up this method, pay attention to the tip of the ponytail. Even with a dried stalk, you can determine whether it was cut or broke off naturally.

All characteristics listed above are general.

It doesn’t hurt to highlight several varieties of watermelons that end up on tables more often than others and highlight their features.

Kherson watermelons. Sugar Kherson watermelons never grow too large, their weight does not exceed 10 kg. If they show you a twenty-kilogram giant and claim that it is from Kherson, do not believe it. It is either of a different variety or grew on nitrates alone. The appearance of watermelons of this variety is classic: bright light stripes, oblong shape, soft pinkish flesh and rather thin peel.
Crimean Crimson Gloria. Watermelons of this variety can be really large. The average weight of one specimen can range from 10 to 17 kg. In addition, watermelons of this variety can withstand long-term transportation. They are also grown in the south of Russia. In appearance they resemble the Kherson ones, but differ in their thick skin and greater weight.
Hybrid chill. The peculiarity of this variety of watermelons is that they can be stored for a very long time, until the New Year. You just need to provide the fetus with comfortable storage conditions. To do this, place it in a dry, dark place. However, representatives of this variety appear on the market only in early September, as they ripen late.
Skorik. Watermelons of this variety are early and appear on the shelves among the first. They can be distinguished by the dark green, uniform color of the skin and low weight - no more than 7 kg.
Photon. The same applies to early varieties and differs from Skorik only in that it has a light skin with pronounced stripes.

Market or store?

Wherever you buy this juicy berry, this place must meet certain requirements. They are their own for both the market and the supermarket.

Watermelon at the market

To begin with, it should be noted that a market does not mean a spontaneous accumulation of tents near your entrance, but a territory specially designated for this purpose. And tents along the road are not even considered, since buying watermelon there can result in severe poisoning instead of enjoying the taste.

So, The following requirements must be met by the owner of a retail outlet selling watermelons:

the presence of a canopy that protects watermelons from direct sun rays;
distance from the roadway;
the storage tray is located at a height of at least 20 cm from the ground;
availability of an Epidemiological Surveillance service certificate for each batch of goods.

Watermelon in the store

When buying a watermelon in a store check the following points:

watermelons are not stored outdoors, under the sun or near the roadway;

Another carefree summer has flown by, taking with it green meadows, birdsong and sunny warm days. It is gone, leaving us only pleasant memories that will remind us of a great time for a long time. With the onset of autumn, the nights lengthen, it rains and cool winds blow. Bright colors fade and gradually disappear, and the leaves falling from the trees cover the roads like a multi-colored blanket.

At this time, in stores you can see counters overflowing with watermelons, which are simply impossible to pass by. We buy a large ten-kilogram watermelon to please the whole family, and we hope that it will be ripe, juicy and sweet. But, unfortunately, hopes are not always justified. Today you can have a tasty treat, and tomorrow you can buy a spoiled watermelon, which will immediately “fly away” into the trash. How to choose a watermelon and avoid unpleasant surprises? This is what we will talk about today.

What to look for when choosing a watermelon

The main criteria by which you need to choose a large berry:

Watermelon season. The first watermelons appear on store shelves in early July, but the season for these berries begins in the second half of August. This is the first thing you need to pay attention to. If you're craving watermelon and are thinking of buying it at the beginning of summer, remember that it's not a berry, but a nitrate bomb. You need to buy your first watermelons in August!
Hard shiny crust. Externally, the “striped bun” should look beautiful - a hard shiny crust that is difficult to pierce with a fingernail, a rich color of the stripes and the correct shape. When the fruit ripens, it stops absorbing moisture and soon the peel hardens. This is why it is important to pay attention to the rind of the watermelon.
Safe and sound. The watermelon rind, as we have already said, should be hard, shiny and beautiful, but it should also not have any cracks or dents. The fact is that through microcracks, and even more so through damaged areas, bacteria penetrate into the sweet, juicy pulp and actively multiply there. If you eat a piece of such watermelon, you can get serious food poisoning.
Yellow flank and dry tail. When the “minke whale” is on the field, he “tracks” his barrel, which should be yellow or orange color. Once ripe, the tail of the watermelon dries out and then it becomes detached from the melon. This is why many people believe that a dry tail is an indicator of ripeness. But in reality this is not entirely true. The tail can also dry out on unripe fruits that have been picked long ago, for example, during storage or transportation, so we do not recommend giving this sign much importance.
"Sounding" watermelons. When choosing a watermelon, tap it. If it responds loudly to the pat, then it is a good watermelon, but if the sound is dull, then it is better to choose another berry. But to completely cast aside all doubts, try putting a watermelon to your ear and squeezing it with both hands. If it crunches and the skin gives in, then this is what you need.
Availability of document. You have every right to demand a quality certificate, and the seller, in turn, is obliged to present it to you. Remember that any type of product has a quality certificate. If they tell you that they do not have such a document, you can leave without hesitation, since we are talking about your health and the health of your family. You don’t want your children to eat watermelon of dubious quality, do you? If the seller shows you a photocopy of the document at your request, pay attention to the seal. It should be wet (colored), and not xeroxed along with the text.

Many people mistakenly believe that nitrates are injected directly into the watermelon, so if you can’t see the injection hole on the skin of the fruit, then you can safely make a purchase. Well, this is not true! A chemical injection is given into the leg while the watermelon is still in the field.
If you think you bought a watermelon with nitrates, then check it out. Dial cool boiled water into a glass and drop a piece of watermelon pulp into it. If the watermelon loses color and the water turns pink, then you are not mistaken - the watermelon contains nitrates.
If you cut a watermelon, you will see that the veins yellow color, which means watermelon is nitrate. The veins should be pink.
Never buy cut watermelons, even if they are in clear bags.
Never buy watermelons near the road. This is not worth doing because it is always dusty and dirty there. If the fruit falls somewhere and cracks even a little, a huge number of microbes will get into the pulp. Also, roadside workers do not have quality certificates, which only means that the risk of buying a spoiled watermelon increases.
Please note that watermelon is a bisexual berry. The “boys” have a spoiled tail with a convex side, and the “girls” watermelons have a flat side with a wide circle. Why do I need to know this? - you ask. In order to choose a sweeter and tastier fruit. “Girls” have fewer seeds and more sugar. Therefore, if possible, it is better to buy a female fetus.

Finally

Before eating, be sure to wash the fruit, and store cut watermelon only in the refrigerator. Now that you know how to choose a watermelon, nothing will stop you from buying a ripe, juicy, sweet and tasty fruit. We've told you a lot, but perhaps you have your own secrets for choosing a watermelon?

Ah, summer, summer! It’s a wonderful time when all people are relaxing, children are on vacation, adults are going on their well-deserved vacation. And immediately trips to the beaches and trips to the sea begin. But summer is not only sun and tan, but also delicious watermelons! In the summer, this large berry becomes a faithful companion on every trip to the forest, on a picnic, on a hike, to the beach, or on a visit. You can just buy a watermelon for home. He will not let you get bored and stay hungry. However, choosing a ripe, juicy and tasty watermelon is not the easiest task. To buy only delicious products, you need to know when to buy them and what they should be.

How to choose a ripe watermelon

A well-ripened berry is tasty, healthy, and simply a pleasure. Many people do not know how to choose the right watermelon. In order for the purchased berry to please you with its taste, you need to know a few tricks. These are the ones you need to focus on when you go shopping for a watermelon:

Place of trade.
Berry color and contrast.
Sound qualities.
Peel requirements.
Weight range.

Requirements for place of purchase

To purchase a truly delicious watermelon, you need to decide where it is best to buy it. You should not buy miracle berries in street stalls. Of course, it is better to give preference to trusted places (shops, shopping centers, civilized markets). The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a watermelon is its storage conditions. Berries should be placed in trays that are specifically designed for this purpose. Moreover, their height should be at least a quarter of a meter.

In addition, watermelons must be hidden from direct sunlight, that is, they must be under a canopy. Don't be shy about asking for a certificate. The seller must have a document on hand that will at least indicate that his product has passed the examination and does not contain any more nitrates established level. If your health is valuable, then you should not be afraid to stand up for your rights. One simple question about the certificate can easily prevent the possibility of food poisoning.

If you are satisfied with the quality of the place where watermelons are sold, and the owner has Required documents on your product, but its shelter is located next to a highway, then you should not buy a watermelon in this place, even if it seems ideal to you. According to their properties, melons perfectly absorb everything from environment, because there are many microcracks on their bark. Stripes that are sold along highways, absorb a large number of exhaust gases and harmful substances. Eating them can cause serious damage to your health.

What a ripe watermelon should sound like

A ripe berry, when tapped, should respond with a dull sound, as if there was nothing under its bark. And if it is possible to squeeze the watermelon on both sides, then you should definitely perform this procedure. If the minke whale responds with a sonorous crack, then you can be sure that it was collected from the garden on time, it is very juicy and ripe.

Requirements for the condition of the peel and its color

Watermelons should be of the correct spherical shape. This criterion does not apply to Japanese square berries, which are grown using special technology in glass cubes - this is a completely different matter. The color of the watermelon peel should be dark, and the darker it is, the better and tastier it will be, and the stripes should be as light as possible. The higher the contrast of the berry, the more likely it is that it will be tasty and juicy. As for the peel, it should be hard and shiny, always without plaque. Hardness is determined by fingers: if the berries have a soft skin, then they are most likely unripe. It’s worth trying to rub the shell with your fingernail. If it scratches easily, this is definitely a plus in favor of choosing this watermelon. There should not be any cracks, stains, etc. on the surface of the fruit. It must be solid, because all extraneous points indicate the unnaturalness of the minke whale. In addition, such inclusions can indicate the introduction of injections of various drugs.

Most likely, you may have heard before that if there is a yellow spot on the side of a watermelon, this indicates its ripeness. Yes, this is true, but this mark must be bright yellow, and in no case white. White spot it just shows how the watermelon lay (and possibly was stored for a long time) on the ground. Such a fruit is unlikely to please anyone with its taste.

Often, people do not know how to choose a sweet watermelon and ask the seller for help. Unfortunately, the time has passed when people behind the counter were afraid for their reputation and were happy to help the buyer. Now the majority is aimed at selling their goods at any cost. Finding a good seller who can really help you choose a good fruit is very lucky. Therefore, every person should know how to choose a ripe watermelon correctly.

You should not buy berries with a cut out of the middle. This is bad not only from a hygienic point of view (after all, you don’t know what kind of knife was used to open the opening), but also from the point of view of preservation, since once cut or at least incised, the berry will no longer retain its taste for a long time if it is not place in the refrigerator. Also, you should not buy damaged watermelons, even if they are offered at a discounted price. It is better to pay more for tasty and ripe fruit than to suffer from stomach problems later.

Another useful and no less important factor when choosing a watermelon is the dry tail of the berry. When ripe, the minke whale itself breaks away from the place of its ripening on the melon patch, like any other of its family. But, unfortunately, a dry tail may also indicate that it was picked a long time ago, so this sign is only an additional one in the question of how to choose a good watermelon.

Weight requirements

When choosing a watermelon, you should give preference to those fruits that are small in size. It is better that the weight does not exceed ten kilograms. Stripes heavier than this mark are large in volume and are usually famous for their unnaturalness. But you shouldn’t chase small watermelons - they are usually unripe and a bit bland. The main thing is that before you eat the purchased minke whale, you should smell it. So to speak, to check whether he grew on his own or whether the miracles of chemistry helped him. If it emits a sour smell, it is better not to take it: you can easily get nitrate poisoning. If there is no pronounced specific aroma, you can be proud of yourself: you bought a good, natural watermelon.

How to choose a watermelon girl

Many people do not like to eat watermelon due to the presence of large quantity sunflower seeds In order not to suffer with them, you can cheat a little and find a special fruit, namely a girl watermelon. Buying it is not very easy, because almost everything on sale is for boys. And according to statistics, for every twenty watermelon boys there is only one girl and, as you understand, meeting her at the market is very rare.

So, how to identify a ripe girl watermelon? Stripes are identified by gender only by their butts. The “soft spot” of a girl’s watermelon is flat, with a large spot, while in a boy’s berry it is raised and has a smaller spot. The difference in this butt mark is the flower that blooms as girls mature.

If you know how to choose a ripe boy watermelon, then buying a girl berry will not be difficult either.

How to choose between two identical watermelons

We are all very indecisive and want to get the best product. People always feel unsure about which berry to give preference to when they are satisfied with both. How to choose a delicious watermelon from two that look identical? When choosing between two identical berries, you should give preference to the one that is lighter. The entire weight of a watermelon depends on how much water it contains. With the same volume, a larger mass will indicate its juiciness, and a smaller striped berry will have sweeter pulp.

The first signs of a tasty watermelon

Let’s briefly summarize all the information on how to choose a ripe watermelon, and what you should pay attention to:

The average size.
Smooth, clean, shiny skin.
High contrast watermelon stripes.
A small yellow or orange spot on the side, but in no case white.
The peel should feel firm when pressed with your fingernail.
Dry tail.
When choosing between a boy and a girl, take the girl, and distinguish between them by their curvy and flat butt.
Crunches when pressed, buzzes when slapped.
No cracks or damage to the skin.
Large volume and low weight.
No sour smell when cutting.

Watermelon: how to choose

Watermelon season has arrived. Just 2 slices of watermelon can replace a full meal and provide the body with enough moisture. In addition, a variety of dishes are prepared from this giant berry - salads, desserts, cocktails, and watermelon is also very healthy. Today we will talk about how to choose a tasty fruit and what substances it contains.

How to choose a delicious watermelon

The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a watermelon is its tail, which remains after the berry is removed from the melon. If it is yellow and dried out, then this is almost certainly tasty and sweet fruit. If the stalk is green or completely absent, then it is better to refrain from purchasing - most likely, the watermelon was picked unripe.

Also inspect the “butt” of the berry - it is traditionally believed that the larger the spot in this place, the sweeter the fruit. In addition, a real, properly ripened watermelon should “sing”. Take it in your hands, bring it to your ear and lightly drum on it with your fingers - if it rings, it means it has already reached the desired condition.

What does a ripe watermelon look like?

There is an opinion that a ripe watermelon does not sink in water and cracks when it is cut. However, unfortunately, it is impossible to “drown” the fruits at a watermelon stand, and it is simply unsafe to buy cut ones - they are a “breeding ground” for bacteria and can cause serious poisoning.

Before buying, be sure to feel the watermelon - if it has deep dents and soft spots, this indicates that it has already begun to deteriorate. Often fruits are damaged after being dropped or improperly transported, and the rotting process begins from the areas that received the blow. As for the hard yellowish spot on the side, this is an indispensable sign of a berry ripened in a melon field, and not in storage.

Pay attention to the size too - huge specimens are almost certainly either unsweetened or grown with the help of growth-stimulating additives. The optimal weight is from 4 to 8 kg. When purchasing, you don’t need to focus on the color of the watermelon peel. It can be white, yellowish, dark green, light green, as well as plain, with stripes, with streaks or spots. It all depends on the variety and the place in which the fruit grew.

How to distinguish a good watermelon from a bad one

Perhaps it is worth mentioning that these days you can often come across “pricked” watermelons - they are given special injections to give the fruits sweetness and bright color. When purchasing, it is almost impossible to distinguish a naturally ripened berry from one pumped with chemicals. But if, after cutting a watermelon, you find that its pulp is sugary and its seeds are white, then it is better not to risk your health.

There are also watermelons overfed with nitrates and pesticides. They can be recognized by the tough white or yellowish fibers present in the pulp. As a rule, such specimens appear in stores in May-July, so it is advisable to start buying domestic watermelons only in the first ten days of August. By this time, in our country they are already filled with juice and sweetness in a completely natural way.

What vitamins are contained in watermelon

The pulp of a ripe watermelon contains many useful substances: sugar (fructose, glucose, sucrose), sodium mineral salts, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium. In addition, the fruits are rich in ascorbic and folic acids, pectins, proteins, riboflavin (vitamin B 2), thiamine (B 1). Moreover, 100 g of berries contain only 38 kcal, so even those who are on a diet or are obese can consume it.

Useful properties of watermelon

Watermelon has a beneficial effect on work thyroid gland, of cardio-vascular system, gastrointestinal tract, kidney. It has laxative, diuretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic effects, and is often used to get rid of stones in gallbladder, for the treatment of liver diseases. This berry helps remove cholesterol from the body, prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and salt deposition.

We all love to enjoy fresh, tasty, nutritious and juicy berries on a hot summer day, which are also healthy. One of the favorite berries in the CIS countries, undoubtedly, is watermelon, the description of which we will consider in detail in this article. It can quench thirst, improve mood, energize the body, and help with various health problems.

The differences between watermelon varieties are quite significant. After all, the shape, size, color of fruits and pulp, taste, yield, speed of ripening, place and method of cultivation are different for everyone. All these factors must be taken into account when purchasing or growing them yourself.

Watermelon: botanical description

Watermelon — lat. Citrullus

Family— Pumpkin ( Cucurbitaceae).

The fruit of the Watermelon is Pumpkin.

On the European continent, watermelon became known relatively recently. Its first detailed botanical description appeared only at the end of the 18th century. For a long time, watermelons could not be classified into any specific family. Only at the beginning of the twentieth century did it become a separate biological species.

The plant has curly, flexible and thin stems, round in shape, up to 5 meters long. The leaves are attached to the stem using long, rough petioles.
The leaves of the plant reach a length of up to 25 centimeters and a width of up to 20 centimeters.
Flowers are unisexual, up to 2.5 centimeters in diameter.

The shape of the fruit is ellipsoidal or spherical. The berries of some varieties are square-shaped. This is very convenient for transportation.
Watermelon flesh is usually red or pink. There are varieties with yellow flesh. Inside, there are many flat seeds, the color of which depends on the type of watermelon.

Currently, there are more than 1000 types of watermelons, each of which is unique in its own way. For example, seedless watermelon is becoming increasingly popular.

Seedless watermelons are grown using special technology, using special pollination.

Also, to obtain this variety of watermelon, ordinary varieties can be treated with a special substance, which allows the next generation to be seedless. Although such watermelons still have seeds, they are soft, small, and can be eaten.

Watermelons have been known in many countries since ancient times. They were valued for their taste and were served at the table of kings and the highest aristocracy. They were admired in Ancient China and Egypt, sang in the Roman Empire.

Watermelons were rarely consumed raw. They were usually used to prepare various dishes, generously flavoring the pulp with spices and pepper. Hundreds of years ago, such dishes were extremely popular and cost incredible amounts of money.

In Russia, watermelons appeared in the mid-16th century in the Volga delta and in the steppes of the Azov region. Gradually they spread throughout the country. Watermelons quickly gained popularity among the upper classes, becoming a desired delicacy at feasts. Since watermelons are on the territory Russian Empire were not grown, but were imported in small quantities from abroad, their cost was too high for ordinary people who did not have the opportunity to enjoy it. Watermelons began to be grown in Astrakhan only at the end of the 18th century.

Years passed and watermelons increasingly appeared on tables ordinary people. They were actively grown not only in Astrakhan, but also in other regions of the country. The striped delicacy has become widespread and accessible, firmly entering the diet.

Useful properties of watermelons

Due to the presence of numerous beneficial substances and minerals, consuming watermelons can help with various diseases. Watermelons are real record holders for lycopene content - effective means with male infertility.

Berries are also useful for the following diseases:

Anemia;
Arthritis;
Gout;
Gastritis;
Various ulcers;
Atherosclerosis;
Obesity.

Centuries ago, the choleretic and diuretic properties of watermelons were known and actively used. Their pulp contains substances that remove “bad” cholesterol from the body and help with problems with the liver and kidneys. Watermelons are also useful for constipation.

Types of watermelons

All varieties of watermelons are conventionally divided into three varieties:

Colocynth;
Ordinary;
Square.

Each variety is unique in its own way, and in order to better understand each type, let’s take a closer look at them.

Watermelon colocynth

Watermelon colocynth- lat. Citrullus colocynthis

The homeland of watermelon is North African countries, the states of the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. Watermelon Colocinth is also called “bitter cucumber or apple”, and was mentioned in the Bible under the name “wild gourd”. The species is actively cultivated.

Watermelon Colocynth is a herbaceous perennial plant.

The shape of the leaves is round.
Yellow flowers are single, unisexual, large in size.
The fruits are small, with a green, dense and smooth skin that turns yellow when ripe.
The pulp is white, with flat yellowish seeds. The seeds have no odor.

The fruits are numerous beneficial properties, since they contain protein, glycoside, chloroform, pectin and others useful material. The seeds contain a large amount of fatty oil. The seeds are edible, with a bitter-nutty taste.

It came to European countries thanks to the Arabs.

Watermelon Colocint has been used as a medicinal product by local residents since ancient times. Extracts and powders made from Colocynth fruits help with constipation, Colocynth is effective for dropsy, and as a kidney stimulant.

Common watermelon

Common watermelon - lat. Citrullus lanatus

The most common representative of its genus. More than 1000 species are known. The common watermelon is an annual melon crop grown in almost 100 countries. It blooms in summer, the fruits ripen in late August-early September.

The fruit is a pumpkin, the shape of which can be as follows:

Globular;
Cylindrical;
Oval;
Simplified.

The skin color is usually light or dark green. On the surface of the fruit there is a pattern in the form of stripes, mesh or spots.

The flesh of the common watermelon is usually reddish in color, but occasionally yellow or white. The pulp is tasty, juicy and sweet. The size of the fruit varies significantly depending on the species and place of growth.
The seeds are flat and vary in color.
The stems of the plant are round, thin and flexible, up to 4 meters long, quite branched, climbing and creeping. If the stem is young, it is covered with many soft hairs.
The leaves are large, 5-18 centimeters wide and 8-22 centimeters long. The surface of the leaves is rough and hard.
Watermelon flowers are unisexual.

The common watermelon is the most popular and widespread. It is actively grown in many countries with a suitable climate. First-class taste qualities make it a desirable and beloved treat.

Despite the popularity of the common watermelon, which is most familiar to residents of the CIS, its square counterpart is becoming increasingly popular. High demand is due to its convenient shape. After all, a square watermelon is not only easier to transport, but also more convenient to put in the refrigerator.

If you see a square watermelon at the market or in a store, you should not assume that it is a special variety. This is an ordinary watermelon grown in a special form.

The fruit of the future square watermelon is placed in a special shape when it is still the size of an onion. To make the mold, plywood or boards of a certain size are used. You can make such a box yourself or buy a ready-made product.

Important! When growing square watermelons, make the box open on one side so that the ripe fruit can be easily removed.

The fruit is placed into the mold through a pre-made hole, and the stem comes out. For good ventilation, holes with a diameter of up to 10 millimeters are cut on the sides of the box. Please note that the holes must be absolutely smooth and even. After all, sharp edges can damage the stalk.

The fruit is kept in the box until it becomes square. Then it is taken out and left in the sun for several days to acquire a bright green color. In this way, not only square watermelons are grown, but also similar pumpkins, cucumbers and zucchini.

As you can see, there are many types of watermelons, each of which is unique in its own way. They are actively grown in many countries, because watermelon is a wonderful berry, beloved by many, the fruits of which are not only tasty, nutritious and juicy, but also healthy,