Watermelon problem

[wishesuponastar]

Is anyone finding when you open up a watermelon that the middle is all apart? Like it separates from the outer piece so you caannot make slices with the rind on it. I've had two watermelons do that to me from two different stores.

 

[candy0730]

I just cut one open this morning and it was as you described. It seemed very dry in the middle. Yuk

 

[wishesuponastar]

Yes! The one I bought from Costco was dry in the middle yuk! I called them to let them know of the problem I had and the lady said bring in your receipt and we will give you your money back. You bet I'm bringing that receipt since I paid $7.50 for it.

 

[poohfriend77]

I've had a couple like that too, and the middle was a weird texture... kind of grainy and dry. I chalked it up to not being ripe. I'm soooo looking forward to fresh, locally grown melons!

 

[powellrj]

I think they are over-ripe when they are like that.

 

[sonnyjane]

I think they are over-ripe when they are like that.

That's what I thought too but I'm no watermelonologist

 

[dyna]

I was going to say over ripe too.

 

[MIGrandma]

I've gotten them that way too and it's frustrating.

I love it when I pick out a great watermelon, but so often it's not-so-great.

I have better luck getting a good one from the local farmer's market than at the grocery store.

 

[MIGrandma]

That's what I thought too but I'm no watermelonologist

That would make a great tag...if the Tag Fairy sees this!

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Yes, I've been having the same problem for years.

It's been a long time, since I cut open a watermelon and it's been a full watermelon, almost all of them in the last few years, have been hallow or cracked.

 

[wishesuponastar]

This is the first time I've ever had this problem. I think there might be a way to check if the watermelon is good but I don't know what that is.

 

[poohfriend77]

I think they are over-ripe when they are like that.

Ah, so maybe I had it backwards. They've been very light pink in color, and I guess I associated the dark pink color with being ripe.

My DD still eats them no matter how bad I think they are, so I've never tried to get my money back. There are a few times I've thought about it though!

 

[Skywalker]

I don't know why but your thread title struck me as hilarious. Maybe because I have never seen those two words together in a sentence before.

 

[Imzadi]

I'm wondering if they've been pre-frozen before you got one.

 

[kaytieeldr]

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/prod_quality/commodities/watermelon.html

Some interesting excerpts:

• Hollow heart is an internal crack in the flesh of the melon. The cause is not known. The incidence is higher in seedless varieties and is higher in crown-set fruit that would be the first harvest of the season.
• An overripe watermelon has flesh that is mealy, may have cavities around seeds and may have an insipid taste. Exposure to ethylene in storage/transit will increase the mealiness of the flesh, in addition to causing separation of the rind and softening of the entire fruit.
• Whiteheart is a hard white streak of flesh through the heart of the watermelon. If this streak exceeds 0.25 in. (6 mm) in diameter it is classified as damage in the United States Standards for Grades; if it exceeds 0.5 in. (13 mm) it is classified as serious damage. Whiteheart is associated with excessive moisture and nitrogen during maturation.

 

[EMode]

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/prod_quality/commodities/watermelon.html

Some interesting excerpts:

• Hollow heart is an internal crack in the flesh of the melon. The cause is not known. The incidence is higher in seedless varieties and is higher in crown-set fruit that would be the first harvest of the season.
• An overripe watermelon has flesh that is mealy, may have cavities around seeds and may have an insipid taste. Exposure to ethylene in storage/transit will increase the mealiness of the flesh, in addition to causing separation of the rind and softening of the entire fruit.
• Whiteheart is a hard white streak of flesh through the heart of the watermelon. If this streak exceeds 0.25 in. (6 mm) in diameter it is classified as damage in the United States Standards for Grades; if it exceeds 0.5 in. (13 mm) it is classified as serious damage. Whiteheart is associated with excessive moisture and nitrogen during maturation.

Thanks for posting this info, very informative. The last 2 watermelons I've purchased had the hollow heart condition. I bought them at 2 different stores. I thought it was odd because I have been eating watermelon forever and I don't remember ever getting one like that.

 

[Lanshark]

I have had the same problem the last few years .I seem to have better luck at Sams than Costco.

 

[luvsJack]

Not sure about other places, but here the watermelons are much better in July.

Even the guys on the side of the road that sell the ones they grow have better melons in July. Dh says its because they have but something on them to make them ripen faster rather than just letting it happen naturally.

And if they are trucked in, they are awful! The shippers put stuff on them to keep them from over ripening in transit. Or maybe its on them because they are picked green and they want them to ripen in transit. Either way, it makes for bad melons.

 

[LilyWDW]

So yesterday, I saw my first yellow watermelon. I knew they existed but had never seen one in all of my 32 years. It was really good too! Nice and sweet. Almost a slight honey taste to it. Now I want another!

 

[Oodalally13]

Do any of yall know or do a watermelon thump to check for ripeness? It's something I learned as a young kid from my grandfather in his garden, but here in Texas we even have a festival dedicated to watermelons...the Luling Watermelon Thump. Anyways, you thump the melon (you know with thumb and pointer finger as if you are flicking someone's ear or nose). The deeper the tone and more hollow sounding, the riper the watermelon.

I swear I am not looney.