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July is National Watermelon Month!
Who doesn't like watermelon? Especially on a hot summer day.
They're packed with electrolytes, like potassium and magnesium, and antioxidants, like lycopene and vitamins A and C.
Made up of about 92 percent water, this fruit is an incredibly refreshing and hydrating treat.
They add a pop of color, flavor, and fun to your satiating summertime recipes, from watermelon salads, to grilled watermelon, and smoothies. Even this mouthwatering cake.
Picking the perfect melon
When you're shopping at the store, there are a few hints you can watch for to help you pick a perfectly ripe and sweet watermelon. Keep these tricks in mind, and everyone will be telling you that you sure know how to pick 'em!
Look for:
- A creamy yellow spot. That's where it rested on the field while ripening. If it's got a white or green-ish spot, that means it was picked early, before it had a chance to fully ripen.
- A matte or dull rind. If it's shiny on the outside, chances are it's underripe.
- Coarse, web-like scarring. These brown marks mean that bees have pollinated the flower heavily, which yields a sweeter fruit.
- A symmetrical shape. It can be round or oval, as long as it's got a uniform shape. Uneven bumps can mean it got uneven water or sun while growing.
- One that's heavy for its size. Compare a few and see which is heavier. That'll be the one that holds more water and is therefore juicier.
- A hollow thump when you knock on the rind. A deep sound means the melon is ripe and has a high water content; a dull sound when you knock on it means it's overripe or much less juicy.
Best way to slice and store watermelon
Unless you're having a big gathering or a picnic with family and friends, one of the toughest challenges with buying an entire watermelon is being able to eat it all before it goes bad because once the rind is cut and the fruit is exposed to air, microorganisms get to work and the fruit begins to decay.
If you want to keep your watermelon crisp longer, there's an easy way to cut and store it for optimal freshness.
Take your whole watermelon and cut it into strips that are about ¾ to one inch wide—but DON'T cut all the way through the rind. Each strip should still be attached once you're done this step.
Rotate the watermelon 90 degrees, then do the same, cutting strips every ¾ to one inch. Again, don't cut all the way through the fruit. Leave each piece attached at the bottom of the melon.
This step will be tricky, because the more you cut the melon, the more it'll try to fall apart. Just go slowly and carefully, and try to hold each section together as you cut it.
When this step is done, you'll have a bunch of bite-sized watermelon spears that are all still attached to the rind.
If you have a circular bowl or container you can pop the base of the watermelon into, it'll help keep the spears upright (and more closed and protected from air) instead of fanning outward (and, therefore, more exposed to air), which will help keep them fresher longer while they're stored in the fridge.
If you don't have a container that fits the bill, use plastic wrap to help hold the watermelon together while it's stored in the fridge.
Then, whenever you want a hydrating snack, you can grab a spear, pluck it out, and enjoy.
How to remove watermelon juice stains
If you're a parent, you likely know how hard watermelon juice stains are to remove from your toddler's clothing.
Once they're set, you're pretty much guaranteed to live with the stains for life.
The easiest way to get these juice stains out before they set is to flush the spot, from the back, with cold water, for 60 to 90 seconds before the stain has a chance to dry. This pushes the pigments out of the clothing's fibers.
Pretreat the stain with a few drops of liquid dish soap or an enzyme-based liquid laundry detergent, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, soak the item in warm water and an oxygen-bleach solution (like OxiClean) for a few hours, or even overnight, before washing it.
Don't use hot water to rinse or wash, and avoid putting the clothing into the dryer until you know the stain is completely gone.
Don't use hot water to rinse or wash, and avoid putting the clothing into the dryer until you know the stain is completely gone.
If you can't get to the stain until it's already dried—or, let's be serious, you have twin toddlers and don't get around to treating or washing their laundry for several days—you may need to try a little harder to remove the stain.
If this is you, try an enzyme-based stain remover that's specially formulated for food or berry stains, like this one by Miss Mouth's.
If you're dealing with stains on whites, you can try dabbing a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution right onto the stain. Let it sit for five or 10 minutes, and then rinse it really well before washing it. Definitely don't try this method on colorful laundry; because hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer, it can fade brightly colored items.
If these options don't work, you can try dampening the stained item and putting it outside to dry in direct sunlight. The ultra-violet rays can lighten and bleach the fruit pigments out of the clothing.
Do you have any tips or tricks to keep watermelon fresher longer? What's your favorite way to enjoy watermelon in the summertime? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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