With their sweet taste, watermelons are a direct reminder of summer. But how do you recognize a ripe watermelon? A simple tap test can tell you whether the watermelon is ripe.

In a nutshell

  • ripe melons are sweeter
  • Water inside the melon conducts sound
  • the darker and fuller the tone, the more mature
  • other methods for determining ripeness: analysis of weight, appearance or stalk

Watermelons - why knock test?

We love melons mainly because of their typical sweetness. The riper the watermelon is, the sweeter and fresher it tastes. Unripe watermelons, on the other hand, often only taste watery. The delicious melons are mostly out with us

  • Spain
  • Iran
  • Turkey
  • Israel

imported. In the countries of origin, however, the melons are not always harvested when they are fully ripe. With a simple tap test, you can quickly find out whether the watermelon you have chosen is ripe. Ripe melons have a high water content. They are good at conducting sound. The more water it contains, the riper the melon and the better it conducts sound.

Ripe watermelons taste sweet and refreshing.

Watermelon tapping test: procedure

You can easily carry out the knock test in any supermarket. To do this, go through the following steps:

  1. Pick up a watermelon one at a time
  2. Hit the melon lightly with the palm of your hand
  3. Repeat the process for various watermelons

The sound alone is enough to assess the degree of ripeness of the melon. thereby means

  • dark, rich and full: ripe
  • dull, metallically bright and quiet: immature

Tip: Experts also pay attention to the vibration. If there is no vibration at all, the watermelon is still soft and fluffy on the inside. Better choose another melon then.

Other methods for determining the degree of maturity

But there are other criteria by which you can determine a ripe watermelon. In particular, you should take a closer look at

  • color
  • Weight
  • stalk

throw. A large yellow spot on the melon also indicates ripeness, because that is where a ripe melon is stored. In general, a specimen is the riper and sweeter it is

  • the yellow contact point is larger
  • the melon is heavier
  • the shell is dull and crossed with net-like yellow lines
  • dried is a potential stalk
  • Sliced melon: The narrower the white edge between the flesh and the peel

Tip: Make sure it is symmetrical. Dents, bruises or cuts indicate an improper supply of sun, water or nutrients.

A dried stalk, as well as yellow spots, are a sign of ripe watermelons.

frequently asked Questions

Is the tapping test also helpful for other melons such as honeydew melon or cantaloupe melon?

No. Ripe varieties of cantaloupe can be recognized by their weight (heavy) and smell (sweet and fruity). You can also use a pressure test to check the maturity. The melon is ripe if the skin can be depressed on the stem.

How do I recognize an overripe melon?

Overripe melons have soft spots on the skin. When cut open, the flesh is no longer red, but pale and grey.

How do I properly store a watermelon?

Ripe melons can be stored whole for about two weeks in a cool place. Melons that have already been sliced should be stored in cling film in the refrigerator and eaten within two days. Watermelons, on the other hand, are not suitable for freezing.

Category:

Garden plants