August 12th, 2011 by tyawman. A few of you may have encountered some strange circles affecting the rinds of watermelons. The circles may vary in size and the area affected, but they still usually materially affect the appearance. This defect is caused by a virus, named the papaya ring spot virus.
Can you eat watermelon that has rings on it?
But Steve Reiners, chair of the horticulture department at Cornell University, told Lead Stories such melons are fine to eat, although they might not taste as sweet as other watermelons. Plant disease can result in odd growth patterns, Reiners said.
Is watermelon mosaic harmful to humans?
Are squash and melons affected by mosaic virus safe to eat? “Yes,” says Nebraska Food Safety Educator Carol Larvick, citing information from Minnesota Extension. “These viruses are specific to plants and do not harm humans.
Why does a watermelon have stripes?
The stripes are composed by the densities of chlorophyll. Where there are high concentrations of chlorophyll, it creates dark stripes, either black or dark green. Inside the watermelon, the seeds are parallel to the dark striping on a watermelon.
How can you tell if a watermelon is overripe?
An over-ripe watermelon won’t resist your fingers, while a ripe one will be stronger and stand up to the pressure of the pinch. The fruit of an over-ripe watermelon will also be more mushy and much coarser, instead of smooth. If there’s a slippery film over the fruit, it’s over-ripe.
When should you not eat watermelon?
It is recommended to not consume watermelons at night right before going to bed. “I would not recommend consumption of watermelon or any fruit after 7 pm. Watermelon is slightly acidic and if consumed at night, it may delay the process of digestion when the body is inactive.
Why does my watermelon have swirls inside?
In reality, what’s happened to this watermelon is a natural condition called “hollow heart.” That’s right. This piece of fruit literally looked exactly like that when it was cut open. “Hollow heart” develops when there is poor pollination during the growth process that creates cracks inside of the watermelon.
What does mosaic virus look like?
The disease is characterized by leaves that are mottled with yellow, white, and light or dark green spots and streaks (in other words, a “mosaic” of these colors). Some of the most commonly infected plants include tomatoes, squashes, cauliflower, and cucumbers, but many more plants are susceptible.
Is there a virus in watermelon?
The virus itself is referred to as Watermelon Mosaic Virus II or WMV-2 and is an isolate of the U.S. WMV-2 is a ssRNA positive strand virus that is part of the Potyviridae or Potyvirus clade.
| Watermelon mosaic virus | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Potyvirus |
| Species: | Watermelon mosaic virus |
What illness can you get from watermelon?
A salmonella outbreak linked to watermelons has affected 35 people in the UK, health experts have revealed.
- A salmonella outbreak linked to watermelons has affected 35 people in the UK, health experts have revealed.
- One person has died, although they had serious underlying health issues.
How can you tell a good watermelon?
Look for an orange creamy field spot. The darker yellow field spot usually means it was on the vine longer and is full of flavor. If the field spot is white that’s a sign that the melon is not quite ripe. Larger “webbing” or “sugar spots” means that the melon is seeping out sugar and is usually the sign of sweet melon.
How can you tell a watermelon is sweet?
Look for the Sugar Spots and Pollination Points – If you see black spots on the melon, this is where sugar is seeping out and indicates a sweet melon.
Can dogs eat watermelon?
The answer is yes, with a couple of precautions. First, seeds could cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure you remove them. It’s also a good idea to remove the rind because it can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Can you get sick from overripe watermelon?
Sometimes spoiled watermelon looks and smells fine. This is often the case with cut melon that’s been sitting in a container in your fridge for a week or so. Though the sealed container has prevented the fruit from getting slimy or growing mold, the melon can still be bad, and could potentially make you sick.
Can you get sick from eating old watermelon?
The Risk of Consuming Expired Watermelon
Consuming spoiled watermelon can quickly lead to food poisoning. The first signs that something is wrong will appear within a few hours and include: Fatigue and headache. Nausea and vomiting.
What does an under ripe watermelon look like?
Watermelons have an underside, or belly—which is in contact with the ground throughout its growth—called a “field spot.” This spot on a ripe watermelon will be yellowish (sometimes referred to as “buttery”) and not white, which indicates an unripe melon.
Does watermelon reduce belly fat?
Watermelon, for instance, is an ideal food to melt belly fat, according to the American Dietetic Association. A study conducted at the University of Kentucky found that drinking two glasses of watermelon juice every day for eight weeks helped people lose weight — especially belly fat — and didn’t reduce muscle mass.
Does watermelon help you last longer in bed?
Watermelon may be a natural Viagra, says a researcher. That’s because the popular summer fruit is richer than experts believed in an amino acid called citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Will you gain weight eating watermelon?
Watermelon is a low-calorie food, containing only 46 calories per cup. According to the Mayo Clinic, it takes 3,500 calories to make a pound of body fat, so watermelon is not likely to contribute to weight gain. Because a cup of watermelon contains less than a gram of fat, it is also appropriate for a low-fat diet.
Is it OK to eat watermelon with hollow heart?
Hollow heart watermelon is totally fine to eat
According to Watermelon.org, internally cracked watermelons are safe to eat and may even taste sweeter than a regular watermelon since the melon’s sugars consolidate along the surface of the cracked flesh.
What are the white lines in watermelon?
If the watermelon is ripe, the ‘belly spot’ will be white or yellow. If you can see the stripes through the belly spot, it may not be ripe.” A smooth rind usually indicates a good fruit. “You might try to avoid melons that are over-lumpy,” Egel said.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.