At what temperature and how much is watermelon stored

You can enjoy sweet and juicy watermelon not only in summer, but also in autumn and winter. To do this, you need to select in advance a suitable fruit that can withstand long-term storage at home. With proper storage of certain varieties of this berry, you can easily keep the watermelon for several months. At the same time, it will not deteriorate and will not lose its juiciness and sweetness.

Choosing a watermelon for long-term storage

The shelf life of a watermelon depends not only on creating optimal conditions, but also on the choice of a variety that can be kept at home for a long time. Important choose a ripe berry without external damage.

Suitable varieties

Only late-ripening varieties are suitable for long-term storage; early maturing are intended for use in the next day or two. Late-ripening varieties are those that ripen in September. These berries are considered the sweetest and lacking in various nitrates.

Late-ripening varieties:

• Astrakhan striped;
• Astrakhan marble;
• Chill;
• Peasant;
• Excellent black;
• Snowball.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a berry in order to maintain its freshness for the next few months, it is recommended to pay attention to its appearance. The watermelon must be fully ripe.

Selection features:

• the peel should be even, without scuffs, cracks and bruises;
• optimal weight - 4-5 kg, heavier berries are not stored for a long time;
• the tail of a watermelon should be dry, with a characteristic halo around;
• the trace from contact with the soil should be yellow, but not white;
• the rind of a ripe berry is usually strong and hard;
• ripe fruit makes a dull sound when tapped.

The peel of late-ripening varieties is particularly durable, it is practically not subject to mechanical damage.

How long can a watermelon be stored

The question of how much watermelon can be stored arises when the entire volume of purchased berries cannot be consumed immediately. Early ripe fruit will last in the refrigerator for no more than a week, and late ripening ones retain their freshness for much longer.

Whole

A whole watermelon can be kept at home for up to 3-5 months. However, for this, it should be immediately placed in the refrigerator or cellar.

Cut

The cut fruit is stored for a very short time, usually no more than 1-2 days in the refrigerator. That is why it is advisable to cut a watermelon just before eating it.

Attention! How to keep a cut watermelon for at least some time? It is recommended to store it in this form with the cut down. So it will retain its taste.

Ways to store watermelons at home

There are many options for storing this melon culture: watermelons are stored in a room, in a refrigerator, on a balcony and in a cellar. Depending on the duration of storage, you can choose the most convenient method.

At room temperature

Keeping a watermelon at room temperature for a long time is undesirable, since such conditions are not intended for long-term storage of food. The berries can be kept indoors for about a week.

Reference. If the apartment has a small storage room or a niche under the windowsill, berry can be put there. However, in this case, the shelf life is limited to 1-2 weeks.

In the cellar

One of the most convenient storage options for this product is the cellar, especially during the winter season. This method provides up to 5 months of storage.

It is important that the watermelons are kept separate from all other vegetables and fruits. Raise the floor, preferably with straw.

In a refrigerator

In the absence of a cellar, the fruit can be stored in an ordinary household refrigerator in the compartment for fruits and vegetables. The berry should fit entirely in the box, so small fruits are preferred.

You can store uncut fruit in the refrigerator for up to two months. There should be no fresh vegetables or odorous products in the neighborhood.

In the freezer

An unusual way of storage is in the freezer. This method is a preparation for the winter that does not require additional preparation.

The watermelon is cut into small cubes, lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar, put in plastic freezer containers and put into the freezer.

The shelf life of such a watermelon is up to six months.

In the form of blanks

If you have time for additional preparations, you can make a blank for storage in the freezer:

1. The berry is crushed by hand until a semi-thick liquid is obtained, the resulting mass is folded into molds for freezing or ice cream, a fresh mint leaf is added, each piece is placed on a wooden stick and sent to freeze.
2. Watermelon jam stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 year. The berry is boiled with sugar and citric acid until a thick mass is obtained, placed in a jar, screwed on the lid, cooled and sent to the refrigerator.

On the balcony

On the balcony, such a product can be kept for no more than 1 week. The balcony should face the shady side.

It is recommended to use the balcony as a storage place for watermelon only in late autumn, since in summer and winter the fruit will suffer from too high or low temperatures.

Other storage options for watermelon

Not everyone knows how to keep the freshness and juiciness of watermelon for a long time. We will tell you about methods using wax, clay, sand, straw and hanging berries.

Wax wrap

The melon culture is coated with wax (molten paraffin) from all sides. The applied wax must be at least 1 cm thick.

In clay

Clay is diluted in water to obtain a pasty mass. The resulting composition is applied to the peel of the fruit in several layers, each time waiting for the previous layer to dry. When the clay has completely hardened, the product is placed in a cool, dark place.

In sand or grain

Ordinary river sand or dry grain preserves the fruit until the New Year holidays. To do this, pour a small amount of sand or grain into a cardboard box, put the watermelon there with the stalk down and cover it with the remaining sand or grain.

In the straw

This method is suitable for basement or cellar storage. Lay a small layer of straw on the floor, place a berry on it and sprinkle it with straw on top.

Hanging

The product is wrapped in several layers of cotton and hung from the ceiling in the corner of the room. It is important that sunlight does not enter this place and the room does not get very hot in summer.

In water

A container that can accommodate a watermelon is filled with water and a melon culture is immersed in it. This method is ideal for a cellar or basement, as the container of water must be in a cool, dark place.

Attention! The water should be changed once a week, checking the berry at the same time for freshness and the integrity of the peel.

Optimal conditions for long-term storage in an apartment

At what temperature, humidity and degree of illumination of the room can you store a watermelon in an apartment? Under normal conditions, a watermelon will not last long in a living room. However, if no one lives in the apartment, you can create optimal conditions there:

• the temperature should vary from +1 to + 4 ° С and definitely not exceed + 10 ° С;
• optimum humidity is about 80%;
• the room must be protected from sunlight, which negatively affects the storage of the berries.

Despite the fact that the skin of the late-ripening fruit is very thick, it is recommended to lay it on a small layer of paper or cotton cloth.

Common mistakes and useful tips

So that the melon culture does not deteriorate in 1-2 weeks, it is important to avoid storage errors:

• do not store on an insulated balcony;
• do not store together with fresh vegetables, fruits and other products;
• keep the watermelon completely wrapped in cloth, paper, or towel.

With any storage method, it is necessary to regularly examine the fruit for damage, drying or decay.

reference... If you decide to wash the watermelon first, you must completely dry and only after that send it for long-term storage.

Do watermelons ripen during storage

Watermelons are among those berries that are not able to ripen during storage. For this reason, it is recommended to purchase only ripe fruits that are fully ripe before harvesting.

Conclusion

Late-ripening varieties of watermelon under certain conditions can be stored for several months. It is important to initially choose a fruit that is devoid of signs of immature or overripe. During storage, it is recommended to regularly check the freshness of the berries, paying attention to the condition of the peel.