Why Are My Watermelons Not Sweet?

More Tips for Sweeter Watermelon Heat and sun exposure improves ripening and fruit sweetness. Once vines have grown little baby watermelons, slide some straw or similar dry material under the fruit to protect them from rotting. Then, every few days, turn the fruit by a few degrees.

How do I make my watermelon sweeter?

A small sprinkle of salt doesn’t just offer a salty-sweet kick, it also brings out the sweetness in the watermelon, making this the perfect hack for when you dig into a lackluster slice. Trust me, I’ve had people FREAK over this simple trick; it’s a game-changer.

What do you do if watermelon isn’t sweet?

If you have a watermelon that is not as sweet as you like, sprinkle it with a little bit of salt to bring out the fruits natural sweetness.

Why are my melons not sweet?

So if farmers pick their cantaloupes too soon, they won’t have that sweet, summery flavor you expect. But if the melons are being picked when they are ripe and ready, then the issue might be the soil or watering conditions. It’s those last two factors that can affect an entire crop should one of them go wrong.

How do you fix a flavorless watermelon?

Dealing With Bland Watermelon
If you slice in and are disappointed with the flavor, we’ve found that adding lime zest and juice helps pump it up and honestly… adding a little sugar does too. To make these drinks we pureed the food milled watermelon with sugar, ice and lime juice for a sweet treat.

Does watermelon get sweeter after it’s picked?

Some, like watermelon, do not continue to ripen once harvested. Therefore, flavor will not improve nor will they become sweeter—t is what it is at harvest. However, cantaloupe and similar fruit will continue to ripen after harvest.

How do you sweeten bitter watermelon?

Use a knife to slice a lemon or lime in half and squeeze about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of juice over sliced or cubed watermelon. Some people find that a boost of acidity makes the melon taste sweeter. Try adding salt and pepper to round out the flavor. Or, if you like spicy foods, add some cayenne or hot sauce!

What can I do with tasteless melon?

Instead of tossing your subpar melon, try seasoning it with a pinch of trusty salt. The salt, she swears, “brings out what little flavor a bad melon has and compensates for any lack of sweetness.”

What color watermelon is the sweetest?

According to the experts at the Watermelon Board, yellow and orange watermelons are generally sweeter than those with pink or red flesh. Seedless watermelons tend to have a crisper texture than those with seeds, they add.

Does salt Make watermelon sweeter?

Watermelon also has a lot more liquid than some other summer fruits, so the flavors are more subtle. When a fine sprinkle of salt is added to watermelon, the balance of flavors shifts a bit, and watermelon becomes increasingly sweet.

What does Epsom salt do to watermelons?

Flat, tasteless melons can be due to a lack of magnesium or boron in the soil. It has been found that such fruits can be sweetened by giving them a dose of Epsom salts and borax.

What is the best fertilizer for watermelons?

For watermelons, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous, such as 10-10-10, at a rate of 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet (60 to 90 feet of row). Make a trench on the planting bed 4 to 6 inches deep and 2 inches from the side of the row. Cover the fertilizer and plant so seeds do not touch the fertilizer.

How often should you fertilize your watermelon?

Melons do best when treated with small amounts of fertilizer in two or three applications. During the growing season, liquid (soluble) fertilizers may be applied every 2 weeks and granular fertilizers about every 6 to 8 weeks. Since slow-release fertilizers work for months, one application is generally adequate.

Can I ripen a watermelon once it has been cut?

Watermelons don’t continue to ripen after being harvested, unlike many other fruits. This means that it’s no good to just buy one melon and try to let it ripen on the counter.

Which watermelon is sweeter seeded or seedless?

seedless watermelon’s
Because it has more genes, a seedless watermelon’s sweet flavor is actually expressed more, so the fruit is actually more likely to be more flavorful than a seeded watermelon.

Why are watermelons not good this year?

Watermelons: This year vs.
Last year, Florida had difficultly with their crop at harvest because COVID-19 impacted their seasonal harvesting crews, Anciso said. The subsequent shortage of melons coming out of Florida made demand and prices for Texas watermelons climb.

Can you leave a watermelon on the vine too long?

Like any fruit, it will last well if you leave it on the vine, but that doesn’t mean you should leave it forever. The plant will cut off water and nutrient supply to the fruit after it’s ripe, and the fruit will start to lose its flavor and sweetness, and it will eventually start to decay in the heat.

How can you tell if watermelons are ripe?

Do a thump test. A ripe watermelon should have a deep hollow sound when you thump the rind with your hand, similar to a knock on the door. An unripe melon will have a more high-pitched resonance, whereas an overripe melon will sound more like a thud.

Why is my watermelon bitter?

In the wild, watermelons (shown), cucumbers, and muskmelons produce bitter cucurbitacins to defend against predators. When cucumbers, muskmelons, and watermelons grow in the wild, their fruit contains bitter cucurbitacin molecules, a family of highly oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenes that deter pests from foraging.

Is bitter melon safe to eat?

At least in the short-term, bitter melon seems to be safe. It can cause headaches, upset stomach, cramping, and diarrhea. Risks. Bitter melon may affect blood sugar levels.

What can I do with under ripe watermelon?

If your garden produces under-ripe watermelon, try your hand at a crisp and refreshing salad: Feta cheese, olives and mint or basil tossed with watermelon chunks.