ᐉ Can watermelon ripen at home?

Methods for determining watermelon ripeness

At first glance, ripe and green watermelons do not differ - obvious differences become noticeable only if you cut the product. This similarity is not beneficial to the buyer who wants to purchase a sweet, juicy fruit. Because of this, situations often occur when a person only learns about the quality of a product at home.

Experienced vegetable growers can easily determine the ripeness of berries. The tips below will help you choose a quality product in your own garden and when purchasing.

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 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.

Terms and conditions for storing watermelon

The harvest can be stored in the refrigerator, room conditions or cellar. The shelf life of the product depends on the option chosen:

Fridge . In general, at a temperature of +3. +6°C fruits are stored for 1.5 to 3 months. However, storage in this format requires rather refrigeration chambers. If the product has already been cut, it can only be stored in the refrigerator. The shelf life in this case is no more than 3 days.
Room conditions . In its entirety, the product will last 4-5 weeks. The berries require a lower air temperature of +16. +18°С. Storage rooms are ideal. It is better not to keep the cut fruit at room temperature for more than 4 hours.
Cellar . The harvest is stored in a dark basement for 3-4 months. Before storing it, it is important to adjust the microclimate in the room. Keep the temperature at +3. +6°С, humidity 65–85%. There must be a ventilation system in the cellar to avoid fungal infections.

Unfortunately, there is no point in leaving unripe berries to ripen at home. However, the problem can be avoided - you just need to know the distinctive characteristics of ripe watermelons. Having studied the above recommendations, the reader will definitely make the right choice and enjoy the juicy fruit.

Conditions and terms of storage of watermelon

Is it possible to preserve watermelon for a long time at home? After all, you really want to enjoy the refreshing taste of a juicy delicacy for as long as possible. It turns out that watermelons have high potential for long-term storage. The main thing is to approach the process correctly. And believe me, it’s not that difficult or burdensome. It is worth adhering to several mandatory conditions and requirements.

Which watermelon to choose for storage?

Choosing the right watermelon is the most important thing.

To gain the skills to determine the ripeness of fruits, try practicing in advance:

- cut several berries at different periods of ripening and remember what signs are characteristic of technical, brown and biological ripeness.

After this, it will be easy to decide on the selection.

Watermelon that will not last long can be preserved for the winter. Try a delicious recipe for Salted Watermelons in Jars

Watermelon varieties for long-term storage

I can recommend the following varieties:

You can select other varieties and hybrids, following your own observations or the advice of familiar gardeners. _____________________________________________________________________

Watermelon storage conditions

It will be much easier for owners of cellars, insulated garages and attics. The main requirement is to create the required temperature and humidity conditions:

Before storing, the room is prepared in the usual ways, as for other long-term stored vegetables:

Storing watermelon at home

You can extend the possible consumption of watermelon in an apartment: in a refrigerator or an insulated loggia with positive temperatures. However, if in a cellar or vegetable storage these periods are up to 5 months, then at home, in compliance with the recommended requirements, it will be possible to preserve watermelons for only 2-3 months.

Methods for storing watermelon

In this case, you should not use large enough specimens, otherwise, under the weight of its own weight, abrasions may occur as a result of friction on the string of the string bag; coat each fruit with a paste of clay or alabaster.

Do watermelons ripen when picked?

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.

Will the cut fruit ripen?

Did the cut fruit turn out to be green? What should I do to make the watermelon ripen?

Answer: nothing. The pulp will no longer become red and sweet . But the situation can be corrected by putting the berry to work.

How to use unripe fruits

You cannot eat unripe berries without heat treatment . Jam and candied fruits are made from this watermelon. Salty food lovers also don’t worry about where to place the poorly chosen fruit. Here are several universal watermelon recipes for all occasions.

It can be useful:

Unripe watermelon jam

For 400 g of pulp you will need 0.5 cups of water, 800 g of sugar, one lemon.

Preparation:

Wash the watermelon and lemon thoroughly.
Peel the berries and remove seeds, cut into pieces 2-3 cm in size.
Place the mixture in a saucepan, add a quarter glass of water and 250 g of sugar, cook over low heat, stirring, until the pieces soften (about 45 minutes).
Meanwhile, peel the lemon and squeeze out the juice. Grate the zest on a fine grater.
Prepare syrup from lemon juice, remaining water and 150 g of sugar.
Pour the zest into a saucepan, pour in the hot syrup, simmer over low heat for another 30-40 minutes. At the same time, gradually add the remaining sugar (400 g) until the syrup thickens.

For winter storage, such jam should be boiled not for 40 minutes, but an hour or an hour and a half, and rolled into sterilized jars.

Candied fruit

Ingredients : one medium-sized watermelon, 0.5-0.8 liters of water, 100-150 g of sugar.

Preparation:

Wash the fruit and cut into medium-sized slices.
Clean the pieces from the pulp and the white stripe that is located near the crust.
Cut the crusts into slices.
Prepare the syrup: pour a layer of sugar about 1 cm thick into a frying pan, moisten it with water and melt, stirring constantly.
Boil slices of watermelon rind in clean water for 15-20 minutes.
After this, transfer the peels into syrup and cook over low heat for 5-10 minutes.
Remove, dry the candied fruits in the oven at 50ºC, and boil again in syrup for 5-10 minutes. Repeat the procedure twice.

After final drying, the candied fruits can be tasted.

Salted watermelon in a jar

For 2 kg of berries take 1 liter of water, 70 ml of 9% vinegar, 3 tbsp. l. sugar, 1.5 tbsp. l. salt.

Bring water to a boil, add sugar and salt, add vinegar, rinse the watermelon thoroughly, cut into small pieces. Place in a three-liter jar and fill with hot brine.

Sterilize jars covered for 20 minutes. Then roll up, wrap and leave in a warm place with the lid down. Place the cooled jars in a cellar or cool pantry.

Do watermelons ripen at home?

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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.

How to determine ripeness

Knowing simple signs of ripeness of melon fruits , you can easily choose a sweet and aromatic watermelon.

Determining ripeness in the garden

It is easier to choose a ripe watermelon in your own garden, because the gardener knows exactly when the crop was planted, and in particular, what is the average growing season for his variety. The following signs will help you recognize a ripe berry :

a dry tail means that the fruit has stopped feeding and “disconnected” from the melon, which means it is ripe;
a deep yellow or orange spot on the side lying on the ground;
shiny crust with a clear pattern and without a waxy coating;
The peel is difficult to scratch with a fingernail, because the ripe berry does not absorb moisture and the shell hardens.

How to choose watermelons for storage

Type, variety and size are very important factors when purchasing a watermelon.

Variety For such a task, it is best to choose varieties that ripen late. Berries that ripen a little later than others have thick skins. It preserves the pulp that is in the middle from any defects. You need to purchase such varieties at the end of the season. This is from the middle of the first month of autumn to the beginning of the second. If you want to store berries that grow in your garden, then pick them before they are fully ripe.
Type of berry . When storing berries, choose those that are free of damage and defects. These are scratches, cracks and uneven surfaces. The peel must be smooth and shiny.
Watermelon size. The best weight is up to five kilograms. Do not store watermelons that are too large.

If you choose correctly, then watermelon will retain its taste, smell and beneficial elements almost all winter.

How to choose watermelons for storage

If you follow a few rules, the shelf life of watermelons can be significantly extended.

Before buying, the fruit is carefully examined. If there is damage on it: cracks, scratches, dents, it is better to refuse it.
You need to purchase fruits of regular shape and medium size (5 - 7 kg).
When a watermelon is removed from the melon plant, it has practically no chance to ripen. Therefore, the harvest is harvested when the fruits have reached full ripeness. Too overripe fruits are not stored for a long time (maximum 3 days, in the refrigerator).

To keep watermelons for a long time, you need to buy them when they are absolutely ripe, paying attention to the following details.

When tapped, ripe fruit produces a dull sound. Its stalk should be dry and attached to the same dry base. In addition, the fruit must have a yellowish part, up to 10 cm in size, which was in contact with the ground when ripe.
It is desirable that the color of the peel is clear and contrasting. Light stripes should be clearly visible against the dark background, if we are talking about “striped” varieties. Blurred, unclear outlines of the pattern indicate the content of nitrates, so it is better not to buy such a fruit.
It has been noticed that the “feminine” watermelon is tastier than the “male” one, and besides this, it contains few seeds.
The main difference between “female” fruits is considered to be a wider halo (a light, dry round spot on the opposite side of the tail).
If some of the pulp is placed in water and the water becomes slightly cloudy, this is an indicator of the quality of the fruit. The presence of nitrates will immediately become apparent if the water turns pink.

Storing watermelon in the refrigerator

If you don't have a cellar and have a lot of space in the refrigerator, you can store the berries in the freezer or just on a shelf. Most people are interested in the shelf life of watermelon so that it does not lose its beneficial elements and taste.

How long to store frozen watermelon in the freezer?

Freezing fresh vegetables and fruits for the winter is very convenient and practical. Anyone who loves watermelon is often interested in freezing their favorite berry to prolong the pleasure. The pulp does not react well with low temperatures and therefore loses its natural appearance. You can use this watermelon only for the purpose of making a cocktail, jelly or juice. It should be stored for no more than a year.

Storing watermelon

Information on methods and features of storing grown or purchased watermelons is given in the table:

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.

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.

It is advisable to treat the room with antifungal agents.

Before storing, check the watermelons: mechanical damage and signs of spoilage are unacceptable.

Store separately from other vegetables on shelves; fruits should not touch each other.

During storage, periodically inspect and turn over.

Cut: no more than 3 hours at room temperature.

When choosing a watermelon, give preference to fruits with a dry tail and a bright yellow spot where it touches the ground. Pay attention to the peel. It should be hard, shiny, without a waxy coating, with contrasting stripes. When tapped, a ripe berry produces a clear, ringing sound. When pressed, the peel bends and cracks.

The remaining juicy slices are stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days, and at room temperature for several hours. A whole berry retains its taste and aroma from one and a half to four months, depending on storage conditions and variety.

Remember that unripe watermelons do not ripen at home. If the berry turns out to be green, do not rush to throw it away. An unripe watermelon can always be used: make jam, prepare candied fruits, or pickle it in a jar.

Storing watermelon in the room

Storing watermelons at room temperature allows you to preserve almost all of the beneficial properties. Scientists have proven that pulp that is not exposed to low temperatures has more useful substances. How long can watermelons be stored without exposing them to low temperatures?

The shelf life of watermelon depends on its ripeness and variety. If you create the right conditions, then a watermelon can last up to five weeks. The period also depends on the condition of the berry.

How long to store cut watermelon at room temperature

If after eating you have a piece of watermelon left, then you should not leave it on the table. Especially if the room temperature is high. Thus, the watermelon will only be good for a couple of hours.

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.

Source

How long to store a watermelon that has already been cut?

Cut berries can be stored for much less time than whole ones. This watermelon will only be good for up to two days.

The watermelon rind protects the pulp well from bacteria and other microorganisms. When such protection is absent, the pulp becomes a habitat for all kinds of bacteria to live and reproduce. A watermelon that has been left in the open air becomes not only tasteless, but also very dangerous to health. As a result of this, there may be poisoning.

What are the ways to store a whole watermelon?

There are many different methods that will keep watermelon juicy and sweet for a long time.

Place on moss. Before sending the berry to the cellar, it must be placed in a box, the bottom of which must be covered with moss, preferably in a thick layer. It is necessary to collect on a day when there is sun, then the plant will be dry. Where there is free space, moss should also be laid between the wall of the box and the watermelon. Thanks to this, the watermelon will be stored much longer.
Container with ashes. Take a wooden box or barrel and pour ashes into it. The layer should be from five to seven centimeters. Now put in the watermelons and now cover them completely with ashes. Now the box needs to be tightly closed to prevent moisture from entering.
Can be coated with wax or clay. Clay must be mixed with water, a small amount. The result should be a homogeneous mass, like thick sour cream. Now prepare a water bath and heat the wax. The state should be liquid. Next, take a brush and dip into a solution with clay or wax and apply to the peel. After everything has dried, the berries must be placed in a cool room.
You can hang the berries. To do this, you need to take a mesh and a piece of burlap or canvas. Wrap the berries in cloth and lower them into the net. Next, hang it on a hook that needs to be mounted on the ceiling of the basement or cellar.
You can also store watermelon at home. If you don't have a basement or cellar, then take advantage of a cool, dark place in your home. The room should be completely dark. Fruits must be turned over every day.

Where can you store watermelons?

In order for the berries to be preserved and tasty for a long period of time, it is necessary to arrange optimal storage conditions. In your home or apartment, you can find several rooms in which you can store watermelon fruits for a long time.

Features of storing watermelon in the refrigerator

The most important thing for watermelon is the temperature, which must be stable over the entire period of time. The refrigerator is the most suitable place where the temperature will always be the same. The berries must be placed on the lower or middle shelf, before laying a thick cloth.

There is still one drawback to this method. Watermelon takes up a lot of space. That is, there is not much room left for other products. If you want to store watermelon for up to four months, then you better find another suitable place.

How to store watermelons at home

The place where you will store the watermelon must comply with the following rules: temperature, which should not be higher than plus ten degrees and a dark place.

If you live in an apartment, then the optimal room would be a storage room, balconies that have protection from the sun, or loggias. You can also store berries in the bathroom and on the mezzanine.

If you live in a house, then you have a little more places where you can store a watermelon, which can last even until winter. A basement, storage room, attic, or garage are suitable for this. If you have a summer kitchen that you don’t use in winter, then you can store watermelons there.

How to store watermelon in the cellar

The cellar is the best place to store watermelon. You can store the berries in any way; they will remain in the cellar for a long period of time and will not lose their taste.

Watermelon and redcurrant jam

If this year you weren’t able to harvest a large enough harvest of apples or berries, but you still have red currants, then you can safely prepare a real yummy treat with just three ingredients!

What you will need:

A kilogram of watermelon pulp.
A kilogram of red currants.
600 g sugar.

How to cook

Wash the currants well, pour into a saucepan with a thick bottom, add sugar, stir.

Peel the watermelon pulp from seeds and peel, cut into cubes and mix with currants in a saucepan.

Place on the stove and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and simmer over low heat for about 40 minutes, stirring from time to time.

Transfer to the table and let cool. Then pass through a sieve to remove all the red currant seeds.

Pour into sterile jars and roll up. Store exclusively in the refrigerator.

How to store watermelons for a long time

Usually, the shelf life of the watermelon depends on how you prepare, lay the berries and how you store them.

Carefully inspect the watermelon that you bought or picked from your garden again and make sure that there are no scratches or deep cracks. If the room has high moisture and the possibility of fungus or rot appearing, then treat the watermelon peel with a solution of two percent lime.

Ventilate the room thoroughly before storing the berries. It is best to treat the cellar with products that remove fungus. Watermelon cannot be stored together with other vegetables or fruits. Please note that there should be enough space to turn the watermelons over occasionally.

You will be able to save the watermelon if you fulfill all the necessary conditions correctly.

The room where you will store the watermelon should have the following parameters:

a dark room.
excellent ventilation.
humidity not lower than 64% and not higher than 86%.
temperature from plus three to plus five.