What are the signs of a bad watermelon?

The easiest way to tell is to check the skin for any soggy spots and patches of greenish-blue, black, or white mold. Even if the exterior looks OK, there’s a chance that the fruit could have gone bad. If the flesh has noticeable dark spots or is covered in anything slimey, you should toss it.

How can you tell if a watermelon is sweet?

If the watermelon is ripe, the field spot should be a large, yellow patch on one side of the melon. 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.

How do you know if a watermelon is good chart?

Look for stripes.

You should pick a melon that has a strong, consistent stripe pattern. The green stripes should be a deep, dark green, while the pale stripes should be a creamy, light yellow. Additionally, you may want to choose a dull looking watermelon. If the melon is very shiny, it is likely underripe.

Is grainy watermelon bad?

Is Overripe Watermelon Safe to Eat? 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.

Is overripe watermelon safe to eat?

When a watermelon goes past its prime it becomes mealy, may develop cavities around the seeds and the taste may be unappetizing. … Eating overripe watermelon should not have any consequences; however, if you purchase a watermelon and find it yucky on the inside return it to the store for a replacement.

How do you tell if a watermelon is good by slapping it?

When you knock on a watermelon, what you’re listening for is a hollow sound. This means the flesh is ripe and that juices are moving around inside the watermelon. If the watermelon produces a flat “smack” when you thump on it, the flesh and juices inside are not at their sweetest and most fluid.

What color are ripe watermelons?

yellow
“Ripe watermelons normally develop a yellow color on the ‘ground spot’ when ripe,” Upham said.

Why is my watermelon yellow spots inside?

Another handy tip is to check the underside of the watermelon for a golden yellow spot, called the field spot. This is the part where the watermelon touched the ground while growing, and if it’s light or white, it definitely hasn’t reached peak ripeness yet.

Why do parents slap watermelons?

If there is no sweet melon smell to them then don’t buy them. There are a couple of ways to tell if a watermelon is ready to be eaten. One way is to tap or slap the side of it. If it sounds hollow it is ready.

How do you know when to cut a watermelon?

How to Tell When Watermelon is Ripe
  1. A ripe watermelon should make a hollow sound when you tap or knock on its rind.
  2. The rind should not scratch easily or give way under light pressure.
  3. The bottom of the watermelon has what is called a “field spot.” When a watermelon is ripe, this spot should be yellow.

How long are watermelons good for?

Watermelon will keep for 7-10 days at room temperature. After two days at 32°F, watermelons develop an off-flavor, become pitted and lose color. Freezing causes rind to break down and produces a mealy, mushy texture. Once a melon is cut, it should be wrapped and stored between 9-36°F.

Why do you thump a watermelon?

Knocking on a watermelon is a commonly used way to test if the fruit is fresh and ripe. If you knock on a watermelon and it makes a hollow sound, that’s a sign that it’s ripe. If it sounds like it’s full, it’s not ready yet.

Does hitting watermelon work?

A ripe watermelon will have a hollow sound when knocked. An unripe watermelon will have more of a higher-pitched sound, while an overripe one will make a “thud” or a lower-pitched sound. Pick up the watermelon and give it a good sniff.

Why do people knock on cantaloupe?

Might seem strange to be knocking on cantaloupe in the middle of the grocery store but it really does help when trying to pick the best one. … If you gently knock on the rind and hear a solid, low sound then that is the sound of a ripe cantaloupe. If it sounds hollow then it is most likely either under-ripe or overripe.

What does a dark green watermelon mean?

The ideal, perfectly ripe watermelon should be dark green in colour and dull looking. If it’s shiny, it’s not ripe yet. Another important thing to look for the field spot.

What does plucking a watermelon mean?

The sound of an immature fruit, when thumped, resembles a clear, metallic ringing sound. Another way to describe the tones elicited by thumping is a “ping” for unripe or a “pong” when ready. If a markedly dull thud results, the melon has probably reached a state of overripeness.

How long does a watermelon uncut last?

7-10 days
Uncut watermelons will last 7-10 days on the counter and 2-3 weeks in the fridge, cut watermelon are also listed in our table. The shelf life of watermelon depends when the watermelon was picked and how it is stored.

What should the bottom of a ripe watermelon look like?

A yellow or creamy underside indicates ripeness. If this area is white or pale green, it isn’t ripe yet. Scratch the surface of a watermelon with your fingernail. A greenish-white color beneath the outermost layer of the rind signifies a ripe watermelon.

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.

What color watermelon is the sweetest?

yellow
And you can tell a lot about the way a watermelon tastes based on how it looks. According to the experts at the Watermelon Board, yellow and orange watermelons are generally sweeter than those with pink or red flesh. Seedless watermelons tend to have a crisper texture than those with seeds, they add.

Why is my watermelon pink and not red?

An over-ripe melon will have paler pink flesh, more a shell pink than hot pink. The rind may be greener, and the outside will be more splotchy or discolored. If there are any dark blotches, consider the melon over-ripe and choose another one.

How can you tell when a watermelon is ripe with a straw?

If the melon is ripe, the straw will turn to a 45-degree angle; if it is green, it will not move.” Apparently, as the watermelon ripens, it becomes more magnetic, and the broom straw acts like a compass needle.

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.

Is it safe to eat white watermelon?

The rind—that white part of the fruit between the pink flesh and tough green skin—is not only edible, but it’s a potent source of nutrients that happen to be totally different than those in watermelon flesh. So, it’s almost like two fruits in one!