What fruit is the most refreshing and thirst-quenching in summer? Of course, it's watermelon. Every time you see it, you can't help but bring one home. But what if you can't finish it? Many people choose to cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator, but some complain that it tastes weird the next day. Today, I will share a good method with you!
Preservation Steps
1. You only need plastic wrap or food bags from the supermarket, and a basin of cold water.
2. Wrap the watermelon with plastic wrap and use a toothpick to poke some small holes in the plastic wrap.
3. Slowly put the wrapped watermelon into the cold water (Note: the water should not exceed the surface of the watermelon). It's not a problem to keep it like this for two days. This preservation method is similar to storing it in a cellar.
When you want to eat it again, cut off the top layer of the watermelon (the side that touches the plastic wrap). However, it is recommended to cut and eat the watermelon fresh. If you put it in the refrigerator, it is best not to exceed 24 hours.
Watermelon + Plastic Wrap = Bacteria?
There is often a rumor online that using plastic wrap to cover watermelon will breed bacteria, and some even say "never use plastic wrap again". But in fact, the watermelon covered with plastic wrap may have already been contaminated before being put in the refrigerator.
The rate of bacterial growth depends on the degree of food contamination and the storage environment. Watermelon covered with plastic wrap is prone to breed bacteria, but this cannot be solely attributed to the plastic wrap. If the knife used to cut the watermelon, the cutting board, or the bag used to hold the watermelon are not cleaned properly, it may lead to the watermelon being contaminated with a large amount of bacteria before being put in the refrigerator.
So, don't blame the plastic wrap for this.
Two "Don'ts" for Watermelon Lovers
1. Don't eat it as a meal
More than 94% of watermelon is water, and it also contains a high amount of sugar. The normal sugar content in watermelon is about 5%, so watermelon has a high caloric value. It contains about 250 calories per kilogram.
In other words, if you eat a large watermelon every day, about 8 kilograms, you will consume 1000 to 1250 calories, while a normal bowl of rice contains about 200 calories. So eating a watermelon is equivalent to eating five or six bowls of rice.
2. Don't eat it as a midnight snack
Watermelon is rich in sugar. Eating too much before bedtime will promote fat synthesis, and most of the newly synthesized fat in the body is stored in the abdomen.
In addition, with reduced physical activity at night, the fat will only be stored without being consumed. Over time, you will develop a little belly fat.
How to Choose Watermelon
1. Look at the skin:
For striped watermelons, the pattern should be clear and the color contrast should be distinct. A watermelon with neat stripes is a good one.
2. Look at the stem:
Don't choose a watermelon with a dried-up stem.
3. Listen to the sound:
The sound of a perfectly ripe watermelon is similar to tapping on a big belly, with a lower pitch. If the sound is like tapping on the head (a crisp sound), it means it is not ripe enough.
