Discover your perfect watermelon!
Most people think you should just thump it and really don't even know what to listen for. Others think it's how deep green the color is on the outside. While others admit they have no idea how to tell which watermelon is the best one. No matter which camp you fall into, if you have eaten watermelon more then a few times in your life then you had to have noticed a huge difference in the taste almost every time. Sometimes they are really sweet, but not juicy and other times they have no taste with lots of juice. Then every once in a while you taste one that is perfect, but you have no idea why. Well here is how to find the right melon every time.
If you study the illustration you will see that the three (3) most important factors to look for are first, if the melon is "Uniform in Size & Heavy", that means it is Sweet. Secondly, if it has an "Orange Field Spot" (meaning the typically rough flatter spot that the melon laid on while growing on the ground) then it should be full of flavor. The third thing to look for is what looks like a spider web effect in the design on the skin. They larger the "webbing" the sweeter the melon should be. The final thing to look for is to make sure the watermelon is fully ripe. You can tell ripeness by the finish of the melon. If it is shiny it is not ripe enough yet, if it is "Dark & Dull" then your melon is ripe.
So now, this coming Summer you get to share with your friends and family why you were able to bring the best tasting watermelon they ever had to your get together. We hope you found this article helpful and entertaining!
But, now for the Healthy Body information about that delicious watermelon. Watermelon is loaded with citrulline and lycopene, two powerful plant compounds linked to lower blood pressure, improved metabolic health, and decreased muscle soreness after exercise.
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Nutrition Facts
Watermelon consists mostly of water (91%) and carbs (7.5%). It provides almost no protein or fat and is very low in calories.
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The nutrients in 2/3 cup (100 grams) of raw watermelon are:
Calories: 30
Water: 91%
Protein: 0.6 grams
Carbs: 7.6 grams
Sugar: 6.2 grams
Fiber: 0.4 grams
Fat: 0.2 grams
Carbs
Watermelon contains 12 grams of carbs per cup (152 grams).
The carbs are mostly simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Watermelon also provides a small amount of fiber.
The glycemic index (GI) — a measure of how quickly foods raise blood sugar levels after meals — of watermelons ranges from 72–80, which is high.
However, each serving of watermelon is relatively low in carbs, so eating it should not have a major effect on blood sugar levels.
Fibers
Watermelon is a poor source of fiber, providing only 0.4 grams per 2/3 cup (100 grams).
However, due to its fructose content, it is considered high in FODMAPs, or fermentable short-chain carbohydrates.
Eating high amounts of fructose can cause unpleasant digestive symptoms in individuals who cannot fully digest them, such as those with fructose malabsorption.
SUMMARY
Watermelon is low in calories and fiber and consists mostly of water and simple sugars. It also contains FODMAPs, which cause digestive problems in some people.
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Until next time,
From your friends at Healthy Body Botanicals