Mini watermelons refer to fruit ranging from 4.4 to 8.8 lbs, although the industry considers 6-7 lbs fruits ideal.
How do I know when a mini watermelon is ripe?
Do a thump test. A ripe watermelon should have a deep hollow sound when you thump the rind with your hand, similar to a knock on the door. An unripe melon will have a more high-pitched resonance, whereas an overripe melon will sound more like a thud.
How do you pick a good mini watermelon?
Look at the 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.
Are mini watermelons the same as regular watermelons?
Mini watermelons are round in shape, but their size is much smaller than the big picnic types of watermelons. They can be as small as 1 pound and up to about 7 pounds. The rinds are dark green with light green stripes and the shape is either round or slightly elongated. Mini watermelons are seedless.
How big do baby watermelons get?
It produces small fruits that are 7 to 8 inches across—just the right size for fitting in the fridge or a picnic basket. Red flesh has a high brix value, which measures sugar content. Like many icebox types, ‘Sugar Baby’ ripens 8- to 12-pound fruits in 75 days (compared to 120 days for a full-size watermelon).
What does unripe watermelon look like?
Look at the Belly
Watermelons have an underside, or belly—which is in contact with the ground throughout its growth—called a “field spot.” This spot on a ripe watermelon will be yellowish (sometimes referred to as “buttery”) and not white, which indicates an unripe melon.
Can you eat an unripe watermelon?
Underripe watermelons are safe to eat, but they aren’t particularly enjoyable. Unripe melon tastes diluted and watery, instead of sweet.
What color watermelon is the sweetest?
yellow
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.
How do you tell if a watermelon is ripe?
Tricks to Tell if a Watermelon is Ripe
- The green color becomes dull.
- On a striped melons, the color between the stripes gets darker.
- The rind will get hard.
- The blossom end will soften.
- They will stop getting larger.
- The ground spot will turn from white to yellow.
How do you quickly ripen a watermelon?
Unlike cantaloupes and certain other fruits, watermelons do not continue to ripen after they are picked. Many websites advise placing your watermelon in a paper bag and leaving it on your counter, but this will have no effect on the watermelon and is a waste of both your time and a paper bag.
What color should a mini watermelon be?
Mini watermelons are about the size of a cantaloupe or smaller. They’re sweet, crisp and very juicy. Their flesh varies from deep pink to deep red.
Why are mini watermelons so expensive?
High production costs specifically point to the labor required to harvest the watermelons. Since the yield is comparable to a regular seedless melon, the number of fruit is at least doubled. That means a lot more fruit must be harvested, which consumes time and manpower.
How long will a mini watermelon last?
They last longer than cut wedges of a large watermelon.
But once cut, its shelf life drops to just three to four days.
How can you tell a Sugar Baby watermelon?
Sugar Baby Watermelon Size
Sugar baby watermelons are an icebox variety. That is to say, they are small enough to easily fit inside a fridge. If you find a personal-sized watermelon at the grocery store, it’s a sugar baby. Sugar babies are usually 7-8 inches in diameter and weigh 8-10lbs.
Do watermelon plants need a lot of water?
Typically, watermelon plants need 1-2 inches of water per week so that the soil stays moist but not wet. If you’re not getting enough rain each week, make sure you give your plants an extra drink.
Is a Sugar Baby watermelon good?
This widely adapted heirloom variety is solid, dark green on the outside with a bright red, firm and fine-grained flesh that is super sweet. Watermelon contains high levels of healthy antioxidants, making Sugar Baby a great sweet way to pack in good nutrition. Vines are compact. Plant about 4 feet apart.
Do watermelons continue to ripen after picked?
Some, like watermelon, do not continue to ripen once harvested. Therefore, flavor will not improve nor will they become sweeter—t is what it is at harvest. However, cantaloupe and similar fruit will continue to ripen after harvest.
What do you do with immature watermelon?
I also found some suggestions for using unripe watermelon, many of them involving adding vodka. Several sites said you can use the rind to make preserves, whether the watermelon is ripe or not. Some said blend the watermelon and add simple syrup made with equal amounts of sugar and water for a refreshing drink.
Why is my watermelon crunchy inside?
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.
Why is my watermelon light pink inside?
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.
Can dogs have watermelon?
The answer is yes, with a couple of precautions. First, seeds could cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure you remove them. It’s also a good idea to remove the rind because it can cause gastrointestinal upset.