Melon and watermelon are two of the main fruits of summer. In addition, they are perfect if you are on a slimming diet, as they have less sugar than other fruits such as apples, pears or oranges, and a high water content (88% in melons and 92% in watermelons). The problem is that finding a good one is sometimes an adventure.
The sex of melon and watermelon
One of the latest tricks that has gone viral on social networks is that female melons and watermelons are sweeter and have better flavor than male ones. According to this trick, the elongated pieces of watermelon would be male and the more rounded ones would be female. Meanwhile, the melons with striations in circumference with the peduncle would be female and the striations in a perpendicular line would indicate that it is a male.
This trick has no scientific basis. Elha explained that it is absurd to think that fruits have sex. Thus, Jan van der Bloom, head of the department of production techniques at Coexphal (Association of Organizations of Fruit and Vegetable Producers of Almería), explains to the media that it is absurd to speak of the sixth of these vegetables. External differences are due to variety or growing conditions and do not indicate taste or quality.
What tricks do work to choose a quality melon or watermelon
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) carried out last year the following decalogue of advice to know how to choose a good melon and or a watermelon.
– From May to October: melon and watermelon should be eaten at the right time: between the end of May and the beginning of September (watermelon) or October (melon). This option is more sustainable than consuming products that have to be imported from other countries.
– At the top of the heap: the specimens that are at the top of the greengrocer suffer fewer blows and are usually in better condition.
– Hard to the touch: the lack of firmness indicates that they are past or have suffered damage.
– Without cracks: discard those that have defects, but without obsessing. A lighter spot is not a bad sign: the fruit may be ripe, but that is the area that rested on the ground during cultivation.
– The touch and the pressure: the watermelon is hit lightly and if it is ready it will sound hollow. The melon is squeezed at its ends: if it is at its point, the base will give slightly and the other end (the stem) will bulge a little.
– Aroma of ripe fruit: the stem area should smell fresh.
– Moderate color: the intense green melons are not yet at their point, although there are more nuances in the watermelon.
– Bought in pieces (halved, quartered or diced…) the advantage is that at a glance you will see if they are ripe. The drawback is that freshness is lost compared to a freshly cut melon or watermelon. The cut pieces must be wrapped, or be packaged if it is a store.
– Cut and preserve: in the melon you have to remove the two ends (in the watermelon it is not necessary) and remove the seeds. What is left over is stored in the least cold area of the fridge, well covered so that it does not pick up odours.
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