There’s nothing as refreshing as a freshly cut Watermelon on a scorching day. Have you ever thought about the length of time watermelon lasts? What does rotten Watermelon appear like?
You’re in luck. This article will provide all the information you need about the kinds of Watermelon, how to recognize rotten Watermelon, and the best way to preserve Watermelon.
Types
There are a variety of types of Watermelon. Here’s a brief description of each.
Yellow
Also known as watermelon oranges, These fruits get their name from their color. Flesh.
The color could be a yellowish-orange hue. It is available in seeded or seedless forms.
Some examples include Desert King and Yellow Doll.
Seedless
There are a variety of seedless varieties. This trend was popularized in the 90s and was accepted by many interested groups.
The seeds are kept in a sterilized state, so they are not able to mature into complete seeds. A watermelon without seeds has flat white seeds that are in the flesh.
Examples of Watermelon without seeds comprise Nova, Trio, Queen, and King of Hearts.
Ice Box
Their tiny dimensions distinguish them. The Ice Box type is the smallest watermelon variety, and every fruit can fit in the refrigerator.
This variety has a distinctive fruity and deep red color. One example of this is Sugar Baby. Sugar Baby variety.
Picnic
They are famous because of their size. The name derives from the notion that it’s enough to serve people during an outdoor picnic.
It could weigh up to 50 pounds and comes in oval, oblong, or round forms. It also has rich, sweet red flesh.
Examples are Charleston Grey and Jubilee.
5 Benefits to Health of Watermelon
Watermelon is highly revered due to the many health benefits it’s packed with. The benefits of Watermelon include:
- Low in calories. That makes it a nutritious food to snack on all day long.
- A large amount of water (92 percent) is beneficial in keeping the body well-hydrated, thus promoting the proper function of cells and blood circulation.
- It promotes the movement of the bowels and the health of your gut due to its high fiber.
- The lycopene in Watermelon, which can be found in the flesh that is red, is a super antioxidant that assists in buffering the body from free radicals, which are often associated with heart disease and cancer.
- It contains amino acids as well as Vitamins B6, A, and C, which aid in the repair of the body and helps to maintain a healthy immune system and brain development.
How To Keep Watermelon
Refrigeration
This is ideal for watermelon slices or cuts pieces. Whole watermelon pieces are best kept at temperatures at room temperature.
Storing a whole watermelon in the refrigerator reduces the nutritional value and alters the structure of the flesh.
To cut Watermelon without peeling, clean the skin to keep any dirt from soaking inside the fruit. Cut clean slices with no sharp edges to prevent deterioration of certain areas.
Look at the pieces for evidence of spoilage on every piece and throw away the pieces. It is also possible to refrigerate the rind-less slices of Watermelon.
Refrigerated slices of Watermelon in airtight, sealable containers. Remove the seeds if they have seeds.
For Watermelon that has been cut in half, put them in cling film, then store with the flesh side up.
Consume refrigerated Watermelon for two days and not longer than a week.
Freezing
Watermelon can be frozen in many ways.
One way to extend the shelf life of Watermelon is to blend it to the consistency of a smooth substance.
Pour the blended Watermelon on an Ice cube tray or Popsicle mold. Set in the freezer before transferring the cubes individually into airtight containers or wrappers.
Mix up with other fruits, vegetables, and spices to make delicious summer snacks for your family.
It is also possible to use pure Watermelon to create Ice cream. The Watermelon frozen in the freezer lasts for months.
When mixed together with other ingredients, shelf life is determined by the speediest spoiling ingredient.
Another fantastic idea is to store the puree in a sugar bag. Add a significant amount of sugar and mix it well together with the purée. Divide the mixture into smaller portions and then freeze. Make just one portion at a time. These packs are fantastic for smoothies.
Dehydrated Jerky
In terms of the preservation of food items, drying is among the most efficient methods. The process of removing moisture ensures longer shelf longevity. Moisture is a prime ingredient to decay.
It is also possible to dry watermelons. Dehydrators work best because of the controlled temperatures and air-circulation systems.
When drying Watermelon, peel the rind, then cut it into small slices. Thicker slices may take a long time to dry completely.
Drying may take a maximum of a day.
Watermelon that has been dried can be used in a variety of ways:
- Sprinkle chili flakes over dried Watermelon to make a spicy afternoon snack.
- Create candies. You can crush slices until they are fine crumbles. Mix in honey, citrus zest, and desiccated coconut. Mix them until the crumbs are covered with honey. Divide the mixture into small balls, then place them on a lined baking sheet. Set them in the fridge until they become firm. Place them in airtight bags, and enjoy them as a delicious melt-in-your-mouth sweet treat.
Pickling
Watermelon pickles are popular in Soviet states such as Ukraine and Russia.
There are a variety of ways to pickle. Certain recipes require all the fruit; some use the rind alone, while some require only the flesh.
Pickling is the process of preserving fresh fruit by heating it in the pickling solution. Ingredients include sugar, vinegar along with lemon juice. Incorporate spices and herbs for a spicy infusion.
Make sure to thoroughly clean the fruit and clean any areas that are blemished. Cut it into equal sections and place it in mason Jars.
Bring the reset ingredients, and then pour them onto the Watermelon while warm. Close the jars and store them at room temperature until cool.
The shelf life of refrigerators is extended by refrigeration. Do not leave the jars open since this could attract bacteria or mold.
Jelly
Another innovative preservation method is to create jelly. Making jelly is quite simple. It’s as simple as simmering the juice of fruit and vegetables until the juice shrinks to a clear, thick solid.
The thickening agents such as pectin as well as a sweetener are added. Pectin aids in the mixing process to make it more stable and thicken.
Utilize a juicer or blend the fruit, then blend it through a muslin fabric. Make sure to squeeze the juice out with your hands.
In addition to making jelly, you can use the peels for the candied rind.
To create candied watermelon rinds, place cubes of rinds in sugar syrup. After that, reduce the syrup to a jam-like, thick, similar consistency by simmering. In addition, you can add spices like cinnamon to increase the flavor of the bland rind.
Let the mixture dry completely before letting it cool.
Candied fruit peels make great snacks for your leisure time and are also excellent food sources of fiber.
How to identify soiled Watermelon
The deterioration process is quick due to the high water content. Therefore, eating the fruit right away when you get it is important. The Watermelon with a soiled surface can be distinguished in these ways:
- It has a strong odor.
- Has a sunken and soft flesh.
- Darkened and discolored skin is a sign that rotting has begun.
- The separation of the flesh is another indicator of spoilage. The flesh is porridge-like in consistency.
Take advantage of the refreshing, juicy Watermelon as fresh the best way you can. If you want to keep it for a long time, try using any of the above methods that guarantee a longer shelf lifespan.
