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How To Care For Air Plants

August 14, 2022 Leave a comment

Whether or not you are a plant lover, the chances are that you’ve heard of the otherworldly air plants. Yes, these fascinating plants grow in the air, with no soil or container needed, which may explain why they have become so popular in the last few years.

Also known as tillandsia, air plants are among the most demanding plants, but they are vulnerable to misconceptions about their care. They grow a bit differently than other house plants, demanding patience and some study to be successful.

This post will discuss air plants, including what they are, how to plant them, and the best air plants care tips.

Feel free to jump ahead!

What are air plants?

Tillandsia is a low-maintenance plant that gets nutrients from the air around them. These magical plants are epiphytes, which naturally grow on other plants, usually on tree branches.

Although the word ‘air plant’ is associated with plants in the Tillandsia genus, hundreds of species and varieties of air plants span different plant families. Tillandsia usually has slender triangle-shaped or strap-shaped leaves that grow in a rosette pattern.

If you live in an area that experiences drought, you should choose the air plants with silver foliage; they are more drought tolerant than those with greener foliage. There are also colorful air plant species like Tillandsia maxima with coral leaves.

Most species of air plants offer attractive, tubular, or funnel-shaped flowers and grow as fuzzy, furry, spiky, and trailing plants. So, which air plant is perfect for your home or garden? Let’s see below.

Choosing air plants

Choosing an air plant for your space is undoubtedly an overwhelming task. You have more than 600 different air plants to choose from, which makes it hard to know the plant that fits your needs.

To help you narrow down your search, here are some of the commonly chosen varieties:

  • Tillandsia Lonantha – native to Mexico and Central America
  • Tillandsia Maxima
  • Tillandsia Xerographica – native to Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala
  • Tillandsia Andreana – native to Columbia
  • Tillandsia Aeranthos
  • Tillandsia Bulbosa – originates from Central America
  • Tillandsia Didisticha – native to South America
  • Tillandsia Gardneri – native to Columbia, Brazil, and Venezuela
  • Tillandsia Tectorum
  • Tillandsia Stricta – native to the Southern United States

These are some of the most common types of air plants. You can view more types of these unique plants here.

How do I plant air plants?

Before diving into the air plant care tips, let’s first look at how you should plant these amazing plants. Unlike most other plants, air plants don’t need potting soil or a container to grow.

Here is how to properly plant your air plants in your home:

  • Don’t plant your tillandsia in the dirt. Air plants are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants and not in the ground
  • Avoid placing your air plants in an enclosed terrarium or glass globes. A closed container will keep them too wet, leading to fungal disease or rot. Such containers also limit the air circulation, inhibiting their ability to feed
  • Instead of an enclosed vessel, place your air plants in creative places or containers, such as a shallow bowl or vase filled with sand or rocks. You could even put them in a small container and hang them on the fridge using a magnet.

Once you plant your air plants, you can proceed to care for them as follows.

How do I care for my air plants?

Now that you know what air plants are, the various types of these magical plants, and how to plant them, we’ll go through how to care for them. We’ll cover everything, from how to water these plants to how to soak and feed them with fertilizers.

This way, you’ll be well equipped with everything you need to keep your plants thriving all year round.

Here are the air plants care tips:

Care tip #1: Light requirements

Light is one of the most important things any living thing needs, and air plants are no different – they need bright, indirect light to thrive. If you plan on keeping your air plants as indoor plants, you’ll want to ensure that they are near an adequate light source.

It’s recommended that you place your air plants in rooms with eastern or southern-facing windows – illuminated mainly by the sun for the better part of the day. Avoid placing your plants on the western side of your house because it receives hot and intense light late in the day.

Also, having high humidity in your living space means that your plants can tolerate more light. A general rule of thumb is that you mist your plant daily or at least twice a week if you place it in a place it’s receiving loads of light.

An ideal place in your house will be your bathroom if it receives enough light. The humidity from your shower is ideal for regular misting of your plants.

If you live in a light-starved home, you can still buy air plants, provided you can place them near fluorescent light or spectrum light – no further than 3 feet away. If you use fluorescent or artificial light, your plants need at least 12 hours daily to remain healthy and alive.

Care tip #2: Watering your air plants

One of the most significant factors you must learn when caring for air plants is the watering schedule. They don’t need rainwater or distilled water to thrive – plain tap water can suffice.

Your air plants need frequent watering – at least 2-3 times per week, especially if you live in hot, dry environments or during the summer. Water your air plants less often if you live in a cool, humid environment or during winter.

Unlike succulents that draw water from their internal reserves or terrestrial plants that get replacement water from their roots, air plants can’t get any water. However, the plant may develop fuzzy leaves (trichrome), a coating of cells that helps your plants absorb more water and nutrients.

For proper watering:

Give your air plants a proper soak by submerging the plant upside down in a pot or cup of water. An overnight soak is recommended so that your air plant absorbs enough moisture.

Care tip #3: Air circulation

Air is another crucial variable for the survival and healthiness of your air plants. Experts recommend giving your air plants about 4 hours of good air circulation after watering.

And although air plants thrive in containers, you shouldn’t display them in enclosed containers. Also, you should ensure that the container is completely dry before restoring the plant to boost air circulation.

Care tip #4: Temperature requirements

Air plants are found in various temperatures but thrive in temperatures ranging from 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an environment with freezing conditioners, ensure your plants are safe indoors.

Much or less temperature will likely lead to air plants’ leaf damage.

Care tip #5: Fertilizer requirements

Like other plants, air plants need vital minerals like Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus to survive and thrive. However, fertilizers used for these magical plants are slightly different from regular fertilizers, mainly because they don’t have soil to break down nitrogen.

Experts recommend using Bromeliad fertilizer (17-8-22) at least twice a month – it’s perfect for reproduction and blooming. Also, nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen are ideal for air plants.

However, you don’t have to use fertilizer if you use aquarium or pond water – these waters are natural fertilizers that can revive distressed plants.

Care tip #6: Trimming your air plants

With time, your new air plants develop leaves and lose the old ones. You can trim the brown or dead leaves of your plants using a pair of scissors, doing it at an angle that gives the end of the leaf a natural appearance.

When you order air plants, the chances are that they’ll come with roots intact, and you may remove them if you wish. The primary purpose of these roots is to anchor the air plants to their host and can be trimmed if you wish to plant them differently.

Air plants growth cycle

Your air plant produces 2-8 pups or offsets that bloom, usually from mid-winter through mid-summer, based on the type of air plant. If you leave your air plant to clump, trim the mother plant’s leaves as she begins to dry up.

If you want to remove the offsets, they should be at least 1/3 to ½ the size of the mother plant. To separate the pups from their parent plant, hold the base of the plants (mother and pup) and twist in a downward motion.

How long do air plants live?

Another essential thing to learn about how to care for air plants is how long they live. This will avoid disappointments when the plant does not do well because it’s nearing the end of the life cycle.

Your air plants can live for several years, with the specific time depending on the environment and air plant variety. Generally, the plant should live for about three to five years if it’s well-cared for.

The bottom line

It’s no secret that air plants are among the best and most low-maintenance plants you’ll ever find. They don’t need soil or a container to grow and provide you with innumerable benefits ranging from improving the appearance of your home to enhancing your wellbeing.

This post discusses everything you need to know about these fascinating plants, including what they are, how to choose the best of them, and the care tips for these plants.

Filed Under: DIY

How To Make Bananas Ripe

August 14, 2022 Leave a comment

We can name hundreds of reasons to love bananas. They taste good, are easy to carry around for a snack, and are loaded with natural sugars and nutrients, including vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, potassium, etc.

But regardless of how you slice them, bananas taste the best – and offer the best value – when ripe. You can eat them as they are or use them to make one of the all-time people’s favorite banana cakes or chocolate pies.

But all is not lost if you have a green bunch of bananas in your hands. This post will take you through six of the best tips and tricks to ripen this super versatile fruit when you are in a pinch.

Let’s dive right in!

How do bananas ripen naturally?

Like many other fruits, a banana will ripen naturally if left alone. The fruit releases ethane (also called ethylene) gas, a natural plant hormone that regulates its growth and ripens it by converting the starch it stores into sugar.

All fruits release ethane gas to aid their growth and ripening, but bananas produce more than most others. Moreover, some fruits and vegetables are more sensitive to ethylene gas than others, so it’s always recommended that you separate the bananas from the rest of the fruits.

However, storing your unripe bananas with other ethylene-producing fruits or vegetables can help them ripen faster.

Read on for other ways to speed up the banana’s ripening process.

How do I make bananas ripe?

If you’ve ever tried making banana bread with unripe, green or yellow bananas, you’ll agree with me that nothing beats the sweet taste of bread made with overripe bananas covered in brown spots or speckles.

Here are six tested-and-proved tricks and tips that work in ripening your bananas:

Method #1: The brown paper bag method

As mentioned above, most fruits release ethylene gas that aids their growth and helps them ripe. UCSD School of Medicine states that the fruits widely known to produce ethylene gas are avocados, apples, peppers, pears, bananas, and tomatoes.

To help your bananas ripen faster, you can place them in a brown paper bag where the ethylene gas can accumulate. To seal the ethylene inside, clip or fold the top of the brown bag shut with the bananas inside.

If you follow this process correctly, your green, unripe bananas should be perfectly yellow within half a day to two days.

Pro Tip: Adding ripe tomatoes, apples, avocados, or other ethane-producing ripe fruits to the bag speeds up the banana ripening process.

Method #2: Place them in a warm spot

This is an almost do-nothing yet very effective method of ripening your bananas. All you have to do is store your unripe green bananas in a warm place and wait for several hours.

A perfect spot to place your unripe bananas is on a windowsill with enough direct sunlight or on top of your fridge near the back, where the heating element is situated. You can also place your bananas in a heater or an oven that’s cooling down.

Based on how green or unripe your bananas are when you buy them, they could ripen as soon as one day. If you use an oven, this time should be less, but ensure you check your bananas frequently and pull them out when brown spots start to form.

Method #3: Store them in a bunch

This is perhaps one of the easiest methods to make your bananas ripe. You only have to place your bananas in a bunch and watch the magic happen!

Do not separate all your bananas at once to help you get more ripened bananas faster. Remember, the more the bananas are in a bunch, the more ethylene gas they emit, which translates to faster ripening.

This ripening process happens slowly (it takes about 24-48 hours) but will give you lovely and sweet bananas. You can combine this method with methods #1 and #2 for faster and better results.

If these first three methods are not fast enough, don’t panic. You have other three speedier options as discussed in methods 4, 5, and 6.

Method #4: The oven method

I have mentioned it before, but it bears repeating: nothing beats the taste of a cake made with overly ripe, brown, and squishy bananas. But if all you have at the moment is a bunch of green, unripe bananas, don’t fret.

You can ripen your bananas in the oven in minutes, as directed below:

  1. Preheat your oven to about 300 degrees F
  2. Place the unpeeled unripe bananas on a baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven. You may use a lined baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil in case your banana peels burst.
  3. Bake the bananas for about 15-20 minutes, stopping to turn them halfway through. Depending on your desired ripeness, you may leave the bananas in the oven longer.
  4. Remove the mushy bananas and leave them to cool before using them for baking your favorite recipe

Note: Although this method gives you sweet, soft, brown bananas, they aren’t as delectable as bananas that have gone through the natural ripening process.

Method #5: The air fryer method

Don’t want to heat up the entire house to ripen your bananas? Don’t worry. An air fryer can achieve similar results as the oven – and the house won’t be as hot!

I like to use this method because it is easier and yields the desired results faster than the oven. So, how do you go about it?

First, you should line your air fryer basket with a basket liner, aluminum foil, or perforated parchment paper in case your bananas burst or leak while baking. It makes it easy to clean the mess.

Arrange the unripe bananas (with their peels still on) in a single layer. Then, set your air fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and cook them for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the peel turns black.

Cool the bananas back to room temperature to eat them or use them for baking. Again, the bananas will be sweet, but not as sweet as naturally-ripened ones.

Method #6: The microwave method

The microwave is the perfect option if you only have a few seconds to ripen your bananas. But experts don’t recommend it as it doesn’t improve your unripe banana flavor or sweetness – it’s more of a softening than a ripening method.

If you want to try it, you may use semi-ripe bananas for the best results. Here is how you go about it:

  1. Peel your bananas and place them in a microwave-safe dish or container
  2. Cook the bananas – one at a time – for one 30-second increment until you hear the bananas sizzling inside.
  3. Leave them to cool to room temperature before enjoying how you like them

How do I store ripe bananas?

Banana lovers stock up with the yellow and very healthy fruit as it makes a perfect snack in the morning and between meals. If you are among these banana fans, you may wonder how to store the fruits so they stay fresh for as long as possible, right?

The good news is that your bananas can stay healthy for up to eight weeks, provided you store them properly. Experts recommend keeping your ripe bananas in an air-tight container and storing them in the fridge.

You can peel the overripe bananas (brown and mushy ones), slice them, and store them in sealed freezer bags. You can then retrieve them whenever you want to use them and put them directly into a shake, smoothie, or thaw them for baking.

You may also choose to try out the banana recipes you’ve seen online instead of storing your bananas for a later date. For a start, I recommend you try out this delicious Banana Bread with Salted Peanut Streusel.

The recipe is easy to follow and makes delectable Cakes that stick to your ribs. Other great ripe banana recipes to try out include:

  • Banana Bread
  • Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie
  • PB&J Pancakes
  • Frozen banana and praline parfait
  • Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

There are more recipes to try out. Have fun!

Can I use green bananas?

You can eat underripe bananas – they are prevalent in Caribbean cooking. However, you don’t want to eat them raw; green underripe bananas are starchy and firm and don’t make the perfect food.

Instead, cook your bananas like plantains: fried into chips, boiled and mashed, or stirred into stews. They make a perfect main meal!

The bottom line

Bananas are sure a superhero of the fruit world. They are among the best value foods, with loads of natural sugar, vitamins, and other nutrients that help people fight cancer, lose weight and reduce bloating.

Overripe bananas make the best pies and cakes, but timing your purchase, so the bananas are ripe when your bake isn’t always easy. Most farmers ship underripe bananas to increase their shelf life, and it’s common to find only green bananas in grocery stores or supermarkets.

This post provides the six best ways to make bananas ripe at home. Good luck as you use it to make your family delicious banana muffins.

Filed Under: Food

How To Care For Money Plants

August 4, 2022 Leave a comment

We can name hundreds of reasons to have plants in your home, from improving your health to making your space more vibrant and beautiful. But did you know that some plants can bring good luck and prosperity to your home?

Yes, certain plants, including the money tree, are associated with good luck and positive energy. And although the money plant is easy to care for, it takes more than luck to keep it happy and healthy.

Let’s discuss money plants, including what they are, how to care for them, the common problems facing these plants, etc.

Let’s get started!

What is a money plant?

Also known as the money tree – or the scientific name Pachira Aquatica – the Chinese money plant (its common name) is a tree species whose native habitat is Mexico and central and south America. The plant features dark green leaves, and braided trunks, making it perfect for indoor spaces.

The money plant is commonly grown in Taiwan and Hawaii and is often used as a bonsai tree. The plant can get as tall as 60 feet but will grow to 3-6 feet indoors.

The plant is a perfect gift for baptisms, birthdays, anniversaries, housewarmings, and bar mitzvahs because it is believed to help people prosper. Similarly, the money tree is an incredibly lush green plant that adds vibrancy to your room, making it ideal for Feng Shui.

Can I plant the money tree outside?

The money tree is an evergreen plant that brings good fortune and prosperity to any space. But can you plant these trees in the outdoor space?

The answer is yes: you can grow money plants outside, provided it’s subjected to the right weather conditions. If you plant this tree outdoors, be sure to bring it inside before the temperature drops to 40 degrees F or below.

Outdoors, the money plant can grow anywhere from under the sun to in partial shade. However, be extra careful when you move them from inside the house to outdoors under the full sun, as leaves will burn.

Also, if you choose to grow the money tree outside, ensure you place it in a pot with drainage holes so it doesn’t drown when it rains.

How should I care for money plants?

Like other plants, the money tree needs proper care to prosper and stay healthy. From water requirements to sunlight, here is how you care for the money tree:

Ideal temperatures

The money tree grows well in a mix of direct and indirect sunlight. Like other popular houseplants, too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and kill your plant.

To strike the right balance for your money plant, rotate or turn it regularly for even light distribution. But don’t move it all over the place as that would disturb it too much.

Humidity requirements

Humidity is another important factor determining your house plant’s success, especially during the winter months. Heating out homes during these cold months depletes humidity out of the air and can be sensitive to tropical plants, including money plants.

You can increase the humidity level around your money plant using several methods. For instance, you can run a humidifier near the plant or place it on a pebble tray full of water (don’t leave the plant to sit in the water for long, though).

Feeding your plant with lots of water can lead to root rot and will probably kill your plant.

You can also create a mini indoor greenhouse or grow your money tree in a small plant cloche, adding a decorative element to your home. Keep an indoor air moisture monitor nearby to help maintain the right humidity level.

Repotting frequency

You should repot your money plant into fresh soil every few years to boost its growth and maintain its health. The best time to repot your plant are in early summer and spring.

Ensure you choose the right-sized container when repotting your money tree plant. Don’t use a pot that’s too large, as that can lead to overwatering and root rot problems.

You can grow the money tree plants in very small pots, especially if you want to keep their size manageable. So, when repotting, choose a container that’s only a little bit larger than the one it was planted into.

The rule of the thumb is to use a potting container with a diameter wide enough to fit the plant’s foliage. If you plan to plant your money tree outdoors, plant it under the shade of large trees with good drainage soil.

Water your plant

Proper watering is among the best care tips for money plants. They thrive with ample watering and won’t tolerate wet soil for a long time – overwatering will result in root rot and can kill your plant.

Check on your money tree plants every week or two to see how wet the soil is. Let the soil to dry slightly before re-watering – don’t leave it to dry out completely, however.

When watering, give the plant adequate drink, and let the excess water drain from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Ensure to empty the drip tray or cache pot so that the container isn’t sitting in the water.

The money tree plants don’t require much watering during winter as in the summer months, so you can leave the soil to dry out a little more. If you struggle to give your plant the correct water, you can consider buying a soil moisture gauge.

Soil mix

The money tree plant thrives in well-drained soil so you can give it a mixture of sand and the normal potting soil. River sand is perfect for aeration and drainage, meaning your plant will prosper well.

You can also use potting soil with high pearlite content – such as the one used for cacti plants. But the money tree loves nutrient-rich soil, so a peat moss-based soil mix is also perfect. Slightly acidic or pH-neutral soil offers the ideal conditions for this popular indoor plant.

Fertilizing money plants

You may also feed your money tree with fertilizer to boost its growth and health. Any basic liquid houseplant fertilizer can work for the plant, but you should dilute it to half the recommended strength.

You can feed the money plant as infrequently as once in mid-summer and once in early spring, but a recommended frequency is once a month throughout its growing season. Most climates will allow you to skip fertilizing the money plant during winter.

You can use the compost tea for the best results. Compost tea bags soaked in water offer a controlled dose of nutrients for the development of your plant.

This natural fertilizer also enhances the potting soil by rebuilding its microbial populations.

Use Bonsai slow-release fertilizer if your plant has droopy and yellow leaves. Other fertilizers such as Jobe’s Houseplant Food Spikes offer your plants various nutrients, including potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.

Prune your money tree plant

Generally, the money tree plant doesn’t need trimming, but regular pruning helps keep it smaller. New leaves grow very quickly, which is why it’s so appealing and attractive for bonsai.

To prune your money tree plant, trim or pinch off the tips of the new growth. This activity also enhances branching, making it shapelier.

Use micro-tip snip and bonsai shears for precision and sharp cuts. It’s recommended that you prune your trees in summer or spring when new growths are surefire to sprout out.

What are the common money plant problems?

Like most plants, money tree plants face several challenges, including pests and diseases. Let’s go through some of these problems.

Pests

The money plant is susceptible to several insects, including spider mites, aphids, white flies, scale insects, and mealybugs. Most of these pests will drain your plant’s moisture by sucking the sap out of it.

The bugs love the phloem sap produced by the money plant, and their activity often leads to yellowing foliage. To eradicate the pests, use high humidity levels around your plant or use neem oil or insecticidal soap.

You can also isolate the infested plant and treat it with the right pest control method.

Diseases

The money tree plant is susceptible to several diseases, including Rhizoctonia root rot, bacterial wilt disease, manganese toxicity, etc. Learning the cause of each disease is key to helping save your plants.

For instance, root rot occurs when you leave the plant in soggy soil or overwater it. Reducing how much water you feed your plant can help avoid root rot and save your plants. Prune the dead leaves to improve your plant’s appearance.

How much does the money plant cost?

The money tree plant cost varies depending on its size, but the price ranges anywhere from $15 or more. You can purchase the plant online or from your local garden center.

The money plant is fun and rewarding despite the price you get it for.

The bottom line

Whether you are superstitious or not, I’m sure you’d want a little luck in your life – and your house. For this reason, you’ll see some people with fake rabbit feet, turtle curving, and vulture heads in their homes.

Adding money plants to your home can also bring some luck while improving its appearance. This post takes you through everything you need to know about money tree plants, including what they are, how to care for them, etc.

Good luck as you use it to bring some luck to your home with this popular houseplant!

Filed Under: DIY

How to Get a Wine Bottle Open Without a Corkscrew

August 4, 2022 Leave a comment

You are at a social event, by the pool, on the beach, sailing in a boat with friends, or at a picnic with your special someone, only to find out that you forgot your reliable corkscrew. If that’s you, don’t succumb to despair.

There are hundreds of other ways to open a bottle of wine, ranging from hooking it out with a wire hanger to using a spoon handle. And more than a matter of necessity or thirst, trying out new ways to open a wine bottle is fun.

This post provides you with the ten best and most clever hacks to open wine bottles without a corkscrew.

Let’s get started!

How do I get a wine bottle open without a corkscrew?

Whether the waiter’s corkscrew in your home has gone missing or you forgot it when going out, knowing how to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew is an essential skill for any wine lover.

Here are tested-and-proven methods that work as excellent as a corkscrew in opening a wine bottle:

Method #1: Use a wooden spoon handle

First on our list of best ways to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew is using a wooden spoon handle. It’s a safe method that is a surefire to open your wine bottle without much effort and strain.

So, how do you go about it?

Take the wooden handle of a wooden spoon and press with consistent pressure down on the middle of the cork. Yes, removing the cork from the bottle may be impossible, but you’ll have your wine to enjoy.

Unfortunately, if the wine bottle is old, the cork may crumble and shed into the wine once you push it in. However, this should be a concern; most wine corks are made from cork oak trees, which are not toxic to humans.

However, having cork pieces in your wine may feel uncomfortable. Use a filter to remove the pieces.

Note: If you can’t find a wooden spoon, use any blunt object the same size as the spoon. It should work just as fine as the spoon.

Method #2: Bike pump method

This method uses sweet science but is one of the easiest ways to open a wine bottle besides using a corkscrew. You only need a bike pump or any air pump with an attached needle.

Here is how you use the bike pump needle to open the wine bottle:

  • Plunge the pump needle through the cork until it reaches the air between the wine and the cork.
  • Then, gently pump air into the bottle. The cork should start moving out slowly as the air pressure increases
  • Be careful as the cork may forcefully and quickly due to pressure from the bike pump.

Also, be careful not to push the cork further into the wine, especially if you don’t plan to drink the whole bottle. A blunt needle could push the cork further in.

Method #3: Use keys or a serrated knife

Your car or house keys offer a creative way to remove the cork from the wine bottle in just a few seconds. However, the success of this method depends on the key you use, with long and sharp keys working the best.

To use this method:

  • Insert your house or car keys into the cork at a slight angle, as you would a corkscrew or wine key, leaving a little part of the key outside the cork
  • Then, turn the cork clockwise, up, and out of the bottle
  • The catch here is to turn the cork in circles as you pull it up in the same movement

Note: You can use a serrated knife – such as a butter knife – in the place of the keys; it should be as effective.

Method #4: Use a pair of scissors

Like the key method, this method only needs household items to open the wine bottle – a pair of scissors. Push one blade of the scissors into the center of the cork and gently twist the scissor’s handles clockwise as you pull the cork up.

Warning: Be careful with the scissors’ blades! They may cut you if not handled with care.

Method #5: Hook it out with a hanger

This is yet another very effective method, but it involves destroying your wire hangers – a sacrifice all wine lovers will be willing to make!

Here is how to use the wire hanger:

  1. Using pliers, bend the last half inch back making about a 45-degree angle – almost similar to the angle of a fishhook
  2. Place the new hook on the edge of the cork with the U-shape facing up
  3. Twist the hook in circles and back and forth until it’s about 2 inches into the cork
  4. Twist the hook so it inserts the pointy part into the bottom of the cork
  5. Pull up the cork once the hook is underneath the cork. Use a pair of pliers or other household items to remove the cork if it seems stuck.

Method #6: Apply heat to the neck of the bottle

This method isn’t always the most effective, but it works, especially in winter, when a mulled wine is perfect. Using a lighter or a blow torch, apply heat to the neck of the wine bottle right below the cork.

Air expands when heated and should force the cork to move upward and eventually out of the wine bottle. However, ensure the wine bottle isn’t cold, or it could explode from the rapid temperature change.

If your wine bottle is cold, leave it in a lukewarm surrounding for a while before heating it. You can also place the bottle inside warm water, and the cork will come off, too.

Alternatively, you can use heated bottle tongs, placing them on top of the bottle – in the area between the wine and the cork. Once the cork comes off, rub chilly water on the neck using a kitchen towel or brush.

Take extreme caution as you could hurt yourself. Leave the heated part of the bottle to cool before serving your wine.

Method #7: The screw method

This is one of the best and safest wine openers but requires strength and resilience, and access to some household tools. The method involves driving a screw (a long screw possibly) into the cork, then pulling it out with the claw at the back of a hammer.

It’s recommended that you use a log screw and drive it in until only about an inch of the screw is left showing. Using a screwdriver to drive the screw will make this activity easier.

If you can’t get a claw hammer pair of household pliers can suffice. Ensure you pat yourself on the back once you complete the mission.

Note: As with most other methods, be careful when using this method, as you would injure yourself or spill your wine.

Method #8: Use a string to pull the cork out

Like the screw method, this wine bottle opener requires much strength, effort, and access to some household tools. You need a screwdriver or a long thin metal and a thick piece of cord or string to pull this off.

Once the tools are ready, use the screwdriver or its alternative to create a hole through the cork. Once you are done, tie a large knot in one end of the string and push it (the knotted end) through the cork using the screwdriver.

Then, you can pull the string out, and it should come off with the cork.

You’re likely to find crumbled pieces of cork in your wine, which makes your glass of wine less desirable. Use a coffee filter to remove the cork bits.

Method #9: Use the wall to smack it out

This is not always the best method as it is dangerous, so use it as your last resort when everything else fails. It should only be your best friend when you have no tools to open your wine bottle.

So, how does the method work?

Wrap the bottom of the wine bottle in a thick towel and bang the hard surface against a hard wall several times. The bottle may break, so refrain from using your full strength. Instead, hit the base of the bottle lightly but repeatedly; the cork will come off.

Method #10: The shoe method

This method is almost similar to the previous one but a little safer. It works the best with a shoe with a higher profile heel or one with a raised sole – such as a leather loafer that a gentleman would wear to work.

Once you have a shoe that fits this description, proceed to open your wine bottle as follows:

  • Choose an outside area in case the wine spills. Also, remember to stay to the side of the bottle to avoid having wine spillage tarnishing your clothes.
  • Remove wrapping around the cork and place the bottle upside down between your legs.
  • Smack the bottom of the bottle using the sole of your shoe. The cork should start coming off the bottle
  • Once it’s free enough to come off, use your hands to remove it.

Note: This method may take a long time, but it’s safer than smacking the wine bottle against the wall.

Important: Some of the methods mentioned above aren’t 100% foolproof and risk breaking your wine bottle or chipping it. So, if you have an expensive wine, you should keep it until you find a corkscrew.

Final Thoughts

At a wine shop, you can either buy a bottle with a cork closure – more attractive and classy – or one with a screw cap that’s easy to open. If you choose the former option, only to realize that you don’t have a corkscrew, don’t worry.

This post provides you with the ten best ways to open a wine bottle without using a corkscrew. Good luck as you use it to enjoy your hard-earned happy hour without a broken wine glass or floating bits of cork.

Filed Under: Food

How to Take Care of an Axolotl

August 3, 2022 Leave a comment

Whether you are an aquarist or not, I am sure you’ll agree with me on this: An Axolotl is one of the most unique yet adorable pets ever. They are unbelievably cute and charismatic, with an almost magical ability to regenerate their body parts.

Yes, Axolotl makes great pets, but they require intensive commitment. Caring for them is complex and demands much maintenance – you’ll need to provide the perfect environment regarding temperature, husbandry requirements, and water quality for them to survive.

If you are among the beginner pet owners who want to keep adult or baby Axolotls, this post is for you. In it, you’ll learn everything about Axolotls, including what they are, what they look like, and how to take care of them.

Let’s dive right in!

What is an Axolotl?

Also known as a Mexican walking fish, an axolotl is a type of salamander found in various colors, including gray, black, white, and gold. These creatures also have a condition known as ‘neoteny’ that makes them carry most of their larval form into adulthood.

These neotenic salamanders originate from several freshwater lakes, including Lake Chalcon and Kale Xochimilco – both in Mexico City.

Axolotls are aquatic creatures who have been on top of the food chain for years, but invasive species like tilapia and perch threaten them today. The adult Axolotls feed on insects, worms, mollusks, crustaceans, and other fish species, meaning they are carnivores.

Unlike many other amphibians, Axolotls spend their entire lives in water. These unique creatures can live for up to 10-15 years and grow up to 15-25 centimeters long if well cared for or in their natural habitat.

And despite their popularity, the Axolotls are critically endangered species and could go extinct soon. And this makes it imperative to take good care of the remaining few creatures, so we can live to enjoy their presence.

What does Axolotl look like?

People worldwide seek after the Axolotls for their unique looks. These creatures’ shape looks like a cross breed of tadpole and fully-formed salamander.

They have a long thin body, four legs, and a tail that’s effective for swimming. Also, adult Axolotls have wide heads and tiny black eyes that differ from other salamanders because they don’t have eyelids.

Male Axolotls can be identified using their swollen cloacae lined with papillae, while female Axolotls have wider bodies.

Axolotls’ gills are found in the crown-like appendages branching out from their heads. You can find the creatures in varying colors, including shades of gray, green, and brown.

And as mentioned, the Axolotl’s size range from 10 to 12 inches when fully grown. They get much larger in their natural habitat or in the wild than in captivity.

How do I take care of an Axolotl?

Here comes one of the most important questions regarding Axolotl: how do I take care of them? Taking care of these beautiful and adorable creatures is easy – all you need is to get the right aquatic environment for their survival.

Here are the conditions that make up the perfect environment for Axolotl survival and reproduction:

Axolotl tank requirement and setup

You should meet the recommended tank size and requirements for your Axolotls’ survival.

The first thing should be to pick the right tank for your Axolotl. The recommended tank size is at least 10 gallons, but it’s much easier to manage them in a 20-gallon tank. So, pick a larger tank if you have the room.

Axolotls produce a lot of waste, meaning a larger tank will help maintain the ideal water parameters. You should emphasize the floor space over the tank’s height.

Yes, Axolotls can stay healthy in smaller 10-gallon tanks, but you should change the water regularly to keep them healthy. A 20 or 30-gallon tank means that nitrate ammonia levels won’t get out of control quickly.

When choosing a substrate, you have two options: a bare bottom or sand. The bare bottom makes cleaning and maintenance easy but is stressful to your Axolotl pet if it can’t grip the surface.

Avoid gravel substrate at all costs. Since Axolotls eat by sucking water into their mouth, gravel could get ingested by mistake and lead to serious gut issues, including impaction.

Fine sand is the best and safest substrate for Axolotl pets; sand particles are very small and will not lead to any health issues if ingested. Plus, Axolotls love to dig and play in the sand, which may help improve their well-being and reduce stress levels.

You can add live plants to your tank to give your pet a more home-like feeling and decorate it. The recommended plants include Anubis, java moss, and horword – they are beautiful and have plenty of hiding spots.

Axolotls have no specific lighting requirements but will become stressed if the light is too much, so avoid direct sunlight. A plant-friendly LED light should suffice – you can control the brightness and keep your plants healthy.

As aforementioned, Axolotls produce a lot of waste, so you’ll need a strong filter for it. However, ensure the filter doesn’t create a strong or pressurized water flow. A spray bar or plants around the outflow can help minimize the water pressure.

You can watch this video for inspiration on setting up your Axolotl tank. It shows how people set up their tanks.

Water parameters

Among the most important part of Axolotl care is maintaining the ideal water conditions. It’s critical for their well-being, health, and longevity.

Axolotls’ skin is permeable, making them far more sensitive to extreme changes in water conditions. If you can’t maintain these water conditions, your lovely pets will become susceptible to health issues.

The good news is that achieving the ideal water parameters is relatively easy. You only need to replicate the parameters in their natural habitat as closely as possible.

Here are the water parameters you should maintain:

  • The temperature should range from 60 to 70 degrees F (15-23 degrees C)
  • The pH should range between 6.5 and 8.0
  • Chloramines and chlorine should be 0ppm
  • Nitrite should be 0 ppm
  • Nitrate range 0-10 ppm
  • Ammonia should be 0 ppm
  • Carbonated Hardness should range between 3 and 8 KH
  • General Hardness should range from 7 to 14 GH

Experts recommend that you perform regular water tests to meet the core parameters. This keeps you informed of the current tank’s state and allows you to make the right adjustments.

Axolotl tank maintenance

You need a few things to ensure that the Axolotl tank is well maintained and that the water parameters are as recommended, including:

  • Water testing kits
  • Gravel vacuum
  • Algae scraper
  • Water conditioner

You should clean the Axolotl tank once a week, then perform a 20-30% water change. Check your water parameters, scrape off the unwanted algae, and vacuum the substrate to remove debris or leftover food.

Axolotls’ food and diet

You need to know four things regarding Axolotls’ diet: what the pets eat, how much to feed them, how often to feed them, and how long they can stay without eating.

Axolotls are carnivores and will feed on fish, snails, and other amphibians. As a pet, you can feed your Axolotls various foods, including:

  • Bloodworms
  • Shrimp
  • Axolotl pellets
  • White worms
  • Repashy Grub Pies
  • Daphnia
  • Earthworms
  • Frozen brine shrimp

You should avoid foods like mice or feeder fish. While your pet will warmly accept these snacks, they could introduce unwanted parasites into the tank, pausing health risks to your Axolotl.

Remember: Always remember to remove the uneaten food from the Axolotl tank. Failure to do so can lead to health problems for your pet.

Tank mates

Experts recommend keeping the adult and young Axolotls alone in the tank. This means that you shouldn’t place them with other Axolotls or fish.

Some pet owners have successfully kept Axolotls with tank mates – mostly other Axolotls. However, if you do this, you must keep an eye on their behavior; they have cannibalistic behavior and often fight with one another.

And although the Axolotls can regenerate their limbs after an injury, you should avoid the problem altogether. Unlike many social animals, Axolotls are solitary creatures and will survive well on their own.

Health checks

You should take your Axolotl to an experienced veterinarian to perform a health check after buying it. From then on, regular examinations should be performed – at least once or twice yearly.

During the health checks, the vet aims to do several things, including:

  • Conducting a thorough physical examination
  • Weight check
  • Dietary assessment
  • Discussion of husbandry
  • Planning and discussing further assessments

Axolotls lifespan and health problems

If you offer optimal care to your Axolotl, it can live for up to 15 years. Keep checking your pet’s health status and address any health issues to help keep them alive for long.

Here are a few signs of a healthy Axolotl:

  • Gills back
  • Round belly with the same size as the head
  • Fluffy gills
  • No skin damage

However, your Axolotl can sustain several injuries and diseases, including stress, impaction, fungal infections, etc.

Here is a brief description of these health concerns:

Stress

Axolotls suffer stress for various reasons, including foul water, high temperatures, strong water flow, and aggressive tank mates. You may know that your pet is stressed if they lose their appetite or fail to eat normally.

Injuries

Yes, Axolotls can regenerate damaged tissues, but you should watch out for infections. Exposed wounds can become infected quickly and could kill your lovely pet. So, monitor the water parameters when your Axolotl is injured.

Impaction

This is a condition in Axolotls that results from a dysfunctional digestive system. Symptoms of this condition include bloating, low waste production, and lost appetite.

Impaction is often caused by ingesting small stones or gravel, so you should use a sand-based substrate. Axolotl fridging can help your pet recover faster in case of impaction.

Fungal infections

Heat-stressed Axolotls can develop dangerous fungal and bacterial infections. For instance, your pet can develop red leg bacteria, Columanris, and Saprolegnia if left wounded in a tank with poor water quality.

These illnesses can be treated using a salt bath or by fridging.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind aquatic animal to keep as a pet, look no further than the smiling Axolotl. Also known as the Mexican salamander, the creature resembles a legged small fish and has unique characteristics, including fancy colors.

This post provides you with the best ways to care for your Axolotl.

Filed Under: Pets

How to Make Orange Juice

August 3, 2022 Leave a comment

Let’s face it: nothing shouts ‘breakfast’ like a glass of orange juice. It’s sweet, refreshing, and packs a lot of nutrients, including protein, iron, vitamin C, potassium, folate, vitamin A, and magnesium.

You can buy orange juice in wide varieties at thousands of grocery stores in your area, but it’s more exciting and satisfying to make your own orange juice at home. You can use a blender, a slow juicer, a citrus juicer, etc., to make a fresh juice.

This post will look at these methods of how to make orange juice, help you select the best oranges for juicing, provide you with exciting orange juice recipes, etc.

Let’s get started!

Orange juice health benefits

Fresh squeezed orange juice is sweet and downright delicious, but is it good for you? The simple answer to this question is a big yes.

Eating fresh oranges directly from the orange tree helps build your immunity and enhance your overall health. The fruits are high in vitamin C, which boosts immunity in individuals – both kids and adults.

Oranges are also known for balancing the hormones and stimulating the production of collagen that enhances your skin. Likewise, homemade orange juice helps balance LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) by decreasing LDL and increasing HDL.

Like other citrus fruits, oranges are acidic but create an alkaline effect after metabolizing the juice. But if you suffer from ulcers, high blood pressure, diabetes, and digestive problems, too much orange juice isn’t good for you.

Homemade orange juice is bright, sweet, and healthy and cannot be compared to bottled juice. And although eating an orange is more nutritious than drinking its juice, most people prefer the juice because it’s delicious and refreshing.

Note: Despite its high nutritional value and health benefits, experts recommend that you limit your consumption (especially the juice with added sugars) because of its high sugar content.

Fresh-squeezed vs. store-bought juice

I know we’ve mentioned it above, but it bears repeating: no store-bought or bottled juice will ever come close to fresh-squeezed juice. Store-bought pure orange juice contains a lot of added sugar and less vitamin C.

Also, most commercial brands remove the pulp from the juice, which removes minerals and vitamins. On the other hand, homemade orange juice has all these healthy nutrients.

What are the different varieties of oranges?

The juice should be healthy and filling regardless of the type of oranges you use. Sweet oranges include varieties like Navel Oranges, Valencia, but Clementine, Blood Oranges, Tangerines, and Mineola also make perfect orange juice.

Of course, orange varieties will have different flavors and natural sweetness, but this comes down to individual personal preferences. Valencia oranges have the best flavors, closely followed by navel oranges.

In the end, you can use any oranges you wish, and the product will be sweet and healthy.

How do I make orange juice?

You can make your orange juice using several methods, depending on the equipment in your kitchen. For instance, you can use a citrus juicer, a blender, a slow juicer, or squeeze the juice using your hands.

Each method will work perfectly, although the end product may vary slightly in terms of flavor, taste, and smoothness.

Here is a breakdown of how each of the methods works:

Method #1: Manual juicing

This is one of the simplest and best methods of making orange juice – mainly because you don’t need any equipment. Unfortunately, this method isn’t always practical for all types of oranges. It’s mostly effective for oranges with thick skins.

Here is how you go about manual juicing:

  1. Soften your oranges by squeezing them tightly or rolling them firmly using the palm of your hands across the table or counter.
  2. Wash your orange using running water, dry it using kitchen tissues, and cut it into two pieces
  3. Using a knife, remove as many seeds as possible. Use seedless oranges like navel oranges if you want to go seedless.
  4. Squeeze each half over a glass to extract the juice. Remove the stray seeds that fall into your juice.
  5. Scrape the orange juice with a spoon and add the orange pulp to the juice. You can then filter using a fine mesh strainer if you like clear juice

Note: This method is most effective with the freshest thin-skinned and juicy oranges.

Method #2: Making orange juice with a citrus juicer

This involves using an electric or handheld juicer to make your orange juice. So, how do you use this kitchen equipment to make your juice?

You should start by washing your fruit and cutting it into two orange halves. You may also peel and quarter your oranges in sections.

Then, process your oranges based on the citrus juicer you have. Generally, you can use a simple wooden citrus reamer, countertop citrus squeezer, or an electric citrus juicer.

The wooden citrus reamer is ideal for small quantities of oranges only. The countertop citrus squeezer operates with a handle that squeezes the oranges to extract the juice. They are perfect for individuals willing to dedicate a counter space to larger kitchen equipment.

Electric citrus juicers have a circulating reamer that helps extract the orange juice.

Method #3: Making orange juice in a blender

An electric blender is yet another very effective method of making orange juice. It is an excellent option because it uses the whole orange, less the peel, providing more nutrients than other methods.

Here are step-by-step instructions on using this method:

  1. Wash your oranges using running water and remove the orange peel and the white membrane. Orange pith packs a lot of nutrients but affects your juice’s taste
  2. Half the orange and make a deep cut at the center
  3. Remove the seeds gently using a knife. You can freeze your oranges for about half an hour if you love cold juice
  4. Then, add the oranges to the electric blender and blend them until they turn into a liquid and smooth juice. You may add little water for better results.

Method #4: Making orange juice in a slow juicer

If you have a slow juicer in your kitchen, making the orange juice is quite easy. Begin by washing your fruits and removing the white pith.

Then, add the whole peeled fruit to the feeding tube and turn the slow cooker on. Collect your juice to the respective containers and enjoy it how you like it!

Tip: You can freeze the orange pulp in an ice-cube tray for later use, or you can compost it. As for the leftover peels, you can zest some to add to dishes, lemonades, or flavor teas. You can even use them to make orange candles or toxic-free all-purpose citrus cleaner.

How long can I store fresh squeezed orange juice in the fridge?

You can store fresh homemade orange juice in the fridge in a non-reactive, air-tight jar or container for about 2-3 days. Experts recommend using a glass container as the acid in the juice can eat a plastic one.

Stainless steel bottles or containers also work perfectly, but the acid may react with some metals, creating a weird-tasting juice. And I’m sure you don’t want that, so always go for glass bottles or containers.

Tips for a fresh juice

Fresh homemade orange juice tastes the best when you drink it immediately. However, if you have leftover juice, you can put it in glass pitchers or containers and store it in the fridge to keep it chilled.

However, if you plan to store the orange juice for more than three days (orange juice shelf life), you should transfer it to ice cube trays and store it in the freezer. This way, your orange juice will not go rancid quickly and stay fresh longer.

Here are a few tips to help keep your orange juice fresh:

  • Give your orange juice a good shake if the ingredients separate in the fridge
  • Garnish the glass with sliced oranges to add flair
  • Add an ice cube to your juice to make it chill

What do I serve with orange juice?

While most individuals like to have orange juice on its own, you can also serve it with different accompaniments. Below are some of the best dishes to serve with orange juice:

  • Brioche French toast with berries
  • Bacon and egg breakfast
  • Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, cheese, and arugula
  • Homemade biscuits with bacon and cheddar
  • Kielbasa

How much juice is in one orange?

One regular, medium-sized orange can make about ¼ to 1/3 cup of fresh juice (without adding water). However, this amount can vary based on different factors, including the size and kinds of oranges you use.

You will need about 3 to 4 oranges to make one cup of fresh orange juice (free of water). You’ll need more small-sized oranges (like mandarin oranges) to make one cup of fresh orange juice.

Should I add water to my orange juice?

Some people prefer adding water or lemon juice while making their orange juice. However, this is a personal preference. If you prefer thick orange juice with solid flavors, then adding water shouldn’t be in your mind.

The bottom line

There is nothing as satisfying and refreshing as a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice on hot summer days. Yes, it may take several minutes longer than you expect to make, its flavor and taste are worth the effort and the wait.

This post provides you with the best methods to make orange juice. Good luck as you use it to make the best juice for your family and friends.

Filed Under: Food

How To Relieve Stress In Jaw

July 16, 2022 Leave a comment

Laughing, yawning, chewing, talking, and smiling are facial movements you make daily with minimal thought. But, if you have a tight or sore jaw, these simple activities can cause discomfort and a lot of pain!

But what causes the stress in the jaw? Tightness in the jaw can result from several reasons, including bruxism, TMJ disorders, stress, excessive chewing, and more.

And regardless of the cause, a tight jaw leads to discomfort and pain in the jaw, nose, ears, teeth, head, neck, and face. This post will discuss the tightness in the jaw, including its symptoms, what causes it, and how you can relieve the stress in the jaw.

Feel free to jump ahead!

man holding jaw

What are the symptoms of a locked jaw?

Also known as trismus, a tight jaw or jaw tension, a locked jaw is a disorder of the jaw muscles that causes pain and discomfort in different body parts. The pain’s intensity can be described as throbbing, achy, severe, or tender.

The pain and discomfort may worsen while laughing, yawning, or chewing. With a tight jaw, you’re likely to experience facial pain and discomfort on:

  • Your jaw
  • Head
  • Neck
  • Teeth
  • One or both sides of your face
  • Mouth
  • Nose
  • Ears

You may also have a limited range of motion when opening your mouth, hear clicking sounds, and experience locking the jaw joint. Read on to learn about what causes stress in the joint and how you can relieve the tightness.

What causes a tight jaw?

A tight jaw can result from several factors, including teeth grinding, anxiety, tetanus, excessive chewing, etc. Understanding the cause of a tight jaw is key to relieving the pain and discomfort and preventing future reoccurrence.

Here is a breakdown of the common causes of jaw tension:

woman with jaw tension

Cause #1: Stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety are the main causes of jaw clenching and muscle tension. When stressed, you’re more likely to unknowingly grind your teeth or clench your jaw (bruxism).

This can tighten your facial muscles with time or lead to more severe dental issues, including wear, cracks, and tooth loss. Here are the common symptoms of stress:

  • Tension in the neck and shoulder muscles
  • Clenching your fist

You can work towards reducing your stress levels by eating healthy, practicing self-care, getting more physical activities, reducing caffeine intake, and more.

Cause #2: Temporomandibular joint disorder

TMD or TMJ is a temporomandibular joint dysfunction that leads to pain and discomfort in the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles. The joint is responsible for the motion needed to yawn, speak, chew food, etc.

Here are a few TMJ symptoms:

  • Difficulty opening your mouth or chewing
  • Tenderness or pain in the face, jaw, neck, or ear
  • Headaches
  • Jaw popping

You may experience the symptoms of TMD if you have physical injuries, inflammation from infections, and clenching or grinding the teeth.

Cause #3: Tetanus

Tetanus (lockjaw) is a potentially fatal bacterial infection characterized by trouble swallowing, abdominal stiffness, and painful muscle contractions in the neck and jaw. You can get a tetanus vaccine to help prevent this infection.

Cause #4: Medications

Certain medications may lead to jaw pain and discomfort. These includes

  • Anesthetics
  • Antipsychotic drugs
  • Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Talk to your doctor if you suspect that the medications you’re using may be responsible for the jaw tension.

Cause #5: Excessive chewing

Yes, excessive chewing can also lead to jaw pain. Like most body joints or muscles, excessive use leads to pain and discomfort; the jaw is no different and will often become stiff with excessive use.

woman rubbing her jaw

Cause #6: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

This autoimmune inflammatory disorder affects joints and muscles in your body – including the temporomandibular joint. RA makes it painful or difficult for you to chew and open your mouth and may also damage the surrounding tissues.

Recent research shows that about 80% of persons with RA have TMD, the leading cause of a tight jaw.

Here are the main Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms:

  • Jaw tightness
  • Fever
  • Unintended weight loss
  • TMJ pain
  • Joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation
  • Bumps under the skin of the joint

Cause #7: Teeth grinding

Teeth clenching/grinding (bruxism) is another cause of a tight jaw. You may clench or grind your teeth for various reasons, including anxiety, stress, anger, depression, frustrations, sleep disorders, etc.

Bruxism is also related to heavy consumption of caffeine and alcohol. The condition is generally found among individuals that snore or suffer from sleep apnea.

Bruxism symptoms may include:

  • Headaches in the morning
  • Increased tooth sensitivity
  • Jaw pain
  • Flattened back teeth
  • Sore facial muscles

Cause #8: Osteoarthritis

Although not so common, osteoarthritis (OA) can lead to jaw pain. OA is a chronic condition mainly affecting joints – mostly among the elderly (65 years or older). The condition typically affects the knees, hands, and hips but can also affect your jaws.

How can I relieve stress in the jaw?

If you’ve had jaw tension, you can agree that it’s one of the most uncomfortable things ever. It limits your ability to smile, chew, yawn, talk, and laugh.

The good news is you can deal with it using a few home remedies, as discussed below:

Solution #1: Exercise your jaw

Targeted jaw stretches and relaxation exercises may help you relieve tight jaw muscles. Here are three of the best of these facial exercises:

Manual jaw-opening exercise

Make several mouth-opening and closing movements several times as a warm-up. Then, get hold of your front four teeth and move your jaw slowly until you feel pain or discomfort; repeat the exercise for about 30 seconds.

Repeat this exercise, starting at a stretch of three times and increasing it gradually until it gets to 12 repetitions.

Jaw joint stretch

The jaw joint stretch will help you exercise your jaw and neck muscles. To get started, place the tip of your tongue on your mouth’s roof, directly behind your front teeth.

Then, apply gentle pressure using your tongue, open your mouth as much as possible, and close it shut slowly. Repeat this process about ten times, stopping when you feel discomfort or pain.

Also, you can stretch your jaw joint by pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth and then exercise the joint. Place one finger on the TMJ and the another on the chin to help you exercise and stretch your jaw as far as possible.

Have your lower teeth move away from the upper front teeth as much as possible. This helps stretch and relieve muscle tightness of the neck and jaw.

woman holding jaw

Smile stretch

The smile stretch exercise eliminates stress in the neck, facial muscles, and upper and lower jaw. To practice it, stand in front of a mirror and produce the widest smile possible without feeling pain or tightness.

While still smiling, open your mouth a wider 2 inches, inhale deeply through your mouth, and then exhale while letting go of the smile. Repeat this process up to ten times, only stopping when it’s painful.

Note: TMJ pain relief exercises are

Solution #2: Massage

A massage on your jaw can help boost the blood flow and minimize muscle tightness. To massage your jaws, open your mouth and rub the muscles next to your ears (where your temporomandibular joints are found) in a circular motion.

Repeat this exercise several times per day, including before retiring to bed. You may also visit a massage therapist to help relieve the pain faster.

Solution #3: Consider changing your diet

Yes, your diet could be the culprit for a tight jaw. Hard foods and chewy foods, like hard candy and chewing gum, often lead to excessive chewing, which may cause jaw tension.

In such an instance, eating softer foods can help minimize muscle soreness and jaw tightness. Yogurt, tofu, smoothies, porridge, avocado, etc., are some of the recommended foods that put less pressure on your jaws.

Note: Eating healthy meals is also among the main stress reduction methods. Reducing stress levels also translates to better oral health and reduced cases of joint tightness.

Solution #4: Apply heat or cooling packs

Apply moist heat or cold – whichever you like – to the sore muscles and joints for about 5 to 10 minutes. Repeating this process three to four times daily can help minimize muscle or joint pain and relax your muscles.

If you prefer heat, microwave a wet towel for about a minute or until it turns warm. Then, wrap it around a hot water bottle to maintain its warmth for longer.

If you prefer cold, wrap ice packs in a cloth and place them on the affected jaw area until you feel some numbness.

Solution #5: Use mouth guards

Wearing a mouth guard can benefit you, especially if your jaw tightness results from grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep. If that’s the case, your doctor should recommend a bite splint or night guard – a type of mouth guard.

However, mouth guards can also be used to help individuals with temporomandibular disorder.

Visit your practitioner or dentist to have the appropriate mouth guard prescribed. They will also advice the amount of time to wear the guards.

woman seeing doctor for jaw pain

When do I see a doctor?

You are advised to seek medical attention if you are experiencing jaw discomfort and pain that doesn’t disappear on its own. The oral medicine specialist or dentist can recommend the appropriate treatment, based on you cause of your condition, including:

  • Surgery
  • Botox injections
  • Medications, such as pain relievers
  • Physical therapy
  • Acupuncture

The bottom line

It can happen to anyone – you wake one morning with headaches, sore jaw, and muscle pain. If you experience such, you may have a tight jaw that causes discomfort and pain in your ears, head, mouth, neck, and face.

This post explains everything about this condition, including what causes it, how to manage it, and prevent it from reoccurring. Good luck as you use it to lead a healthy life!

Filed Under: Health & Wellness

How To Boil Crawfish

July 16, 2022 Leave a comment

Crawfish may look unsightly at first glance, but boil and soak it in seasonings and spices, and you’ll have one of the best main course meals for spring. It’s delicious, filling, and can be served with a wide

However, unless you’ve grown up with the crawfish boiling tradition, being in charge of crawfish boil can be scary. But with the basics and the right guidelines, boiling a crawfish can become your go-to hobby.

This post discusses the crawfish, including what it is, how it tastes, and how to boil it – to help ease your mind.

Let’s get started!

boiling crawfish in large pot

What’s a crawfish?

A crawfish is a crustacean that resembles a small lobster that measures between 3-6 inches long. These miniature and tasty creatures have ten walking legs (two of which are large front claws) and a hard protective exoskeleton.

Crawfish live in rivers, freshwater wetlands, swamps, and lakes. You can find them on the floor of almost all oceans worldwide, although they live close to the shoreline.

These tiny creatures are the staple food for Southerners in Louisiana, Alabama, and other states in the country’s southern region. They are widely known for their health benefits, including low fat, low calories, and high protein density.

A crawfish can live as long as 50 years, especially when left alone in the wild.

tons of crawfish inside large pot

What does crawfish taste like?

For those of us who aren’t lucky yet to have tasted these tiny, delectable creatures, you may be interested in how they taste, right? Although crawfish is considered seafood, it doesn’t have a strong natural flavor like others in the same group.

However, crawfish have a stronger flavor than crabs and are meatier. Many individuals describe them as a combination of crab and shrimp, mainly because they have a bit of mineral flavor, are a little sweet, and are slightly salty.

However, the final taste of the creature depends on how it’s cooked or prepared and the part you are eating. In a crawfish, you can eat the claws, legs, roe, tail, outer shell, and tomalley.

The legs, tails, and claws are people’s favorite mainly because they contain most of the meat. The claws are sweet with a smooth texture, while the tails are hearty and thick but tough to chew.

There are many ways to prepare and cook crawfish, including grilling, broiling, baking, pan searing, and steaming and boiling. And like lobster, steaming and boiling is the most preferred method of cooking these hearty tiny sea creatures.

We’ll discuss more about how to boil crawfish later in this article.

When are crawfish in season?

Crawfish season doesn’t have a specific time; it all depends on the part of the United States you reside in. For instance, crawfish are in season from November to July in Louisiana and April through June in Alabama.

You’ll get the best crawfish in Louisiana during spring and early summer. On the other hand, April and May are the best months to cook up an exceptional crawfish boil.

Regardless of where you live in the U.S., however, you can get fresh crawfish anytime. And once you have these sea creatures, you can prepare them by washing and then boiling them, as follows:

How do you wash crawfish?

Crawfish will give you a tender and delicious meal when boiled, but you must clean them first in a process called purging. This process helps you eliminate impurities in the intestinal tract, such as grass and mud, to make it pleasant-tasting.

Here is how you wash the crawfish:

  1. First, you should use running water to wash your crawfish. If you are washing them in a container, use a large instrument to stir to remove mud, dirt, and debris from their gills and shells
  2. Then, remove the crushes and discolored crawfish and place the larger ones in a cooler. Also, throw away the floating crawfish, in case you used a container.
  3. Rinse your crawfish several times. You can add table salt to the water when washing and rinsing them.
  4. Then, dump ice over the crawfish to keep them cool until when you cook them

Your crawfish should be ready and dirt-free after 2-3 soaks, depending on how dirty they are.

Tip: Buy live crawfish ahead of time and store them in a cooler with ice. To separate the dead (not fresh) and live crawfish, add them to salted water; dead crawfish will float.

How do I boil crawfish?

Boiling crawfish is super easy – you only need the right cooking equipment and a few ingredients, and your meal will be ready in a few minutes. Mainly, boiling the crawfish depends on the crawfish season.

In Louisiana, this translates to anytime between January to June. Yes, it’s slow going and expensive in January, but it starts to gear up in February.

This section will take you through my favorite Louisiana crawfish boil – from the ingredients to a step-by-step guide on boiling the delicacies.

crawfish boiling in a pot

Ingredients:

Crawfish is among the easiest meals you can ever make, demanding only a few ready-to-find ingredients. These includes:

  • Ears of corn
  • Carrots
  • Garlic
  • Small red potatoes
  • Lemons
  • Crab boil Louisiana (Louisiana crawfish seasoning)
  • Andouille sausage
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Mushrooms
  • 30-40 pounds of crawfish (live) in one sack
  • Oranges
  • Yellow whole onions
  • Cajun seasoning – this is optional

Once you have your ingredients ready, you can proceed to prepare and boil your crawfish as follows.

Instructions

I’m thankful for whoever came up with the idea of boiling and eating the crawfish. Then properly boiled, this tiny sea creature makes one of the mouth-watering meals that stick to your ribs.

Here are steps to help you boil crawfish the right way:

Step #1: Untie the sack of crawfish and empty it into a huge ice chest. Add fresh water and stir the crawfish using a paddle

Step #2: Add a crawfish boil seasoning to the crawfish boil pot with a basket. Then, add enough water to the pot and apply high heat to achieve a rolling boil, and add sausage and veggies

Step #3: Once your water is hot, remove it and wedge the basket, allowing it to drain

Step #4: Add your crawfish to the basket

Step#5: Return the basket to the re-seasoned water and heat until you get a rolling boil (this should take about 4 minutes). Turn the burner off and soak the basket in hot water for about 10 minutes

Step #6: Lift the basket again and let it drain

Step #7: Add your boiled crawfish to serving platters and enjoy your meal.

You can add various main ingredients to your crawfish, including eggs, tamales, vegetables, hot dogs, turkey necks, etc.

crawfish cooked with vegetables in pan

Equipment

To boil your crawfish, you should use the right equipment (pot size and type). The most basic and cheapest way to boil crawfish is to use a large pot (preferably aluminum) with a basket insert and an outdoor propane burner.

You may also use other equipment like a Dutch oven, crawfish trays, the right crawfish seafood boiler, a good ice chest, etc.

How do I eat a crawfish?

Like any other meal, you can eat your crawfish using different methods. Regardless of your method, the aim is to get the meat from the tail.

If it’s your first time eating crawfish, here is a step-by-step guide on how to get the tiny hunk of the lobster-like meat:

  1. Hold the crawfish’s head with one hand and its tail with the other
  2. Straighten the tail so that a straight line appears from the crawfish’s nose to its tail
  3. Push the tail into the head to disconnect it
  4. Turn 90 degrees clockwise or anti-clockwise
  5. Pull the tail out. The meat should remain intact
  6. Eat or suck the meat from the tail
  7. Repeat the process with other crawfish until you’re full

Note: Some people eat the head and claim that the green, gooey brain is delicious. However, this is an optional step, which most people like to skip.

How long can I preserve a crawfish after it’s cooked?

The crawfish boil leftovers should last for 3 to 4 days, provided you store them within 2 hours after cooking them. Experts recommend you use the leftovers in fantastic potato salads or fry them and serve them with your favorite side dish.

Tip: You can add ice to the ice chest instead of trying to create space in your refrigerator. This way, you can peel the crawfish and make crawfish mac and cheese, crawfish pies, or something you like using the leftover crawfish.

You can check this site for several amazing crawfish recipes for leftovers.

The bottom line

Who doesn’t love springtime in the U.S…I mean, they have everything you want. Trees and plants come back to life, flowers start to bloom, BBQ season kicks off, and the crawfish prices drop!

But unless you are a kitchen connoisseur, having the prices drop may not excite you. However, that will change after reading this post that helps you boil crawfish.

Filed Under: Food

How To Take Care Of Succulent Plants

July 11, 2022 Leave a comment

Succulent plants are a darling of the gardening world – and for a good reason. Their amazing green foliage, exciting shapes, and an assortment of bright colors know how to create joy and calmness and uplift our moods.

Succulents come in hundreds of varieties and can be grown indoors or in your backyard. You can also find them in a rainbow of colors from purple to green, pink, and turquoise –it’s no wonder they are so popular!

Succulents are often considered the ultimate low-maintenance plants, but they’ll need your care to stay alive. This post will discuss succulents, including what they are and how to take care of them.

Let’s get started!

What are succulents?

Succulent are drought-tolerant plants with thick fleshy tissues that store water. Some of these plants, like cacti, have no leaves and store their water in the stem, while others, like agave, have fleshy leaves that store their water.

Most people prefer succulents as houseplants because of their unique leaves and the ability to add a modern yet natural element to your home. Their appearance and natural look provide feng shui in a space, meaning they create a favorable environment for you to thrive.

There are different types of succulents depending on their care. Some are grown indoors, while others thrive well outdoors.

The common types of succulents include; Jade plants, Aloe vera, Echeveria, Aeonium, and Aeonium, to name a few.

How do I grow succulents in my home?

Naturally, succulents grow in dry and warm climates with a lot of sunlight. You’ll need to replicate these conditions in your home, especially if you don’t live in a warm or dry area.

Here are important things to note as far as growing the succulents is concerned:

Hardiness

Yes, succulents thrive in deserts, but most are fairly cold-hardy. Deserts get pretty chilly at night – even below freezing.

However, the exact hardiness will vary based on the species. Some will die at the first sign of frost, while others can survive the winter weather on the outside.

Where to grow the succulents

Whether you want to grow your succulents indoors or outside, ensure you keep them in a dry location where they can get bright light. The plants will thrive well in pots or on the ground, provided they get the right care.

Container

The pot you use highly determines the success of your succulents. Always use containers with good drainage holes; Ideally, the holes should be 1 to 2 inches larger than your nursery containers during repotting.

Don’t use glass containers for long-term potting as they usually prevent the roots from breathing, making them rot with time. Instead, it would be best to use pots with breathable materials like ceramic and terracotta pots, which promote air circulation and water drainage.

Also, remember to add about a third full of pre-moistened potting mix to your container before placing your plant. After that, fill the remaining part with pre-moistened cactus mix and see your plant flourish!

How do I take care of succulent plants?

It turns out that having the perfect succulents isn’t as straightforward as it seems on Pinterest or in the garden and home magazines. Yes, the plants can thrive even when neglected, but they’ll die if the environment isn’t right.

Here is how to take care of succulents:

Choose the right succulents first

Choosing the right succulent plants for your indoor or outdoor spaces is the first step to achieving the perfect plants. However, when asked to choose from beautiful varieties in the greenhouse, the chances are that you’ll ignore this advice and pick what looks nice, right?

That’s a recipe for disaster – trust me! Different succulent plants will perform differently under different settings.

Some are best fit for indoor growing, while others thrive in outdoor spaces. For instance, picking succulent plants that don’t like full sun and thrive in the shade and low light will be perfect for indoor settings.

Generally, succulents with bright colors (like purples, oranges, and reds) perform poorly indoors. They demand direct sunlight that’s only available in the outdoor spaces.

If you want succulents for indoor spaces, it would be ideal if you started with natural green succulents; most of them don’t need too much light to thrive. Examples of such succulents are Gasteria, Haworthia, and Snake plants

Keep them watered

Watering is one crucial part of caring for your plants. While most succulents can last long without much water, that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t water them completely.

These plants use less water, and the rule of thumb is to water succulents thoroughly at least once every week during summer, twice a month in spring and autumn, and once every month in winter. Also, remember to water your plants only when the soil is completely dry.

Succulents hate wet feet, so putting in excess water will only make them rot and die. So, always check the soil before you water succulents – you can stick your finger at least two inches deep and only water if it’s bone dry.

Provide them with enough sunlight exposure

Succulent plants offer brilliant colors and thrive well under enough light – at least six hours of full sun daily. While you can grow them in the shade, their colors will not be as intense – the more the sun, the better!

While achieving long hours of direct sunlight can be easy for outdoor succulent plants, the same is hard for indoor succulents. Indoors, place your succulents in or near a sunny window during winter and fall, and provide them with filtered light during the summer months.

If you notice that the plant is trying to reach for the window, move it to a sunnier spot or use a frow light. However, check the plant’s ideal exposure to avoid sunburn.

Pest control

Like any other plant, succulents are prone to certain pests. For instance, Aphids and thrips attack the plants’ flower buds; mealybugs attack the leaf axils and scale colonize stems.

You can control these pests by giving the plants excellent air circulation. You can also spray the plants with 70% rubbing alcohol diluted using 50% water.

Scrape off the scale and wash it using horticultural oil and soap if it persists. You can also isolate the affected plants immediately to avoid the spread of pests and diseases, then clean the area thoroughly.

Keep the plants dry to avoid mold, especially if you live in humid climates.

Feed them

Succulent plants do not need much fertilizer, but you can add a little fertilizer during the summer and spring growing season. Ensure that you do not overfertilize your plants, as this stimulates faster growth and weakens your plants.

Also, do not fertilize your plants during the colder autumn and winter months, leading to weak and leggy growth.

Use the right soil

When caring for succulent plants, soil matters a lot, so watch out to ensure you are not using the wrong soil mix. You need less dense soil that allows for fast draining, meaning the everyday compost doesn’t work.

You can buy a dedicated soil mix, like The Succulent Cult Store’s Organic Potting Soil, designed for succulent plants. Make sure you repot your plants at least once every two years during the growing season.

Watch the temperature

Succulents perform the best in temperatures ranging from 60 degrees to 80 degrees. Also, the plant can survive cooler or warmer indoor conditions but not extreme heat or frost. It’s advised that you take your outdoor succulents inside when temperatures drop to below 50 degrees.

Pruning

Certain succulents like Crassula, Graptopetalum, Echeveria, and Aeonium should be regularly pruned to maintain their size and shape. However, most others survive well without pruning during their lifetime.

If your succulents start to get sparse and leggy, you can trim or pinch them to maintain their compact shape. Prune the weak and leggy extension by snipping it off with sharp clippers, pinching it using your finger, or cutting it with heavy-duty shears for thicker stems.

You can remove spikes and dead flowers at any time. Also, remember that summer or spring is the best time to prune for shape.

Keep your succulents clean

Your indoor plants will inevitably pick up dust on their surface, affecting their growth. To avoid this, wipe off your succulent spines and leaves using a damp cloth or a soft paintbrush to clean the hard-to-reach areas.

Are succulents toxic to pets?

This is one of the most asked questions about succulents, but it bears repeating: are succulent plants toxic to pets? Unfortunately, some succulents can be poisonous to pets, while others are completely non-toxic.

So, if you’re planning to grow some succulents in your home and are concerned about your pet’s safety, I’d recommend you research your specific variety. Here is a website that names some of the toxic and non-toxic succulents.

The bottom line

Today, succulents are understandably everywhere. Their low maintenance, easy-to-grow nature, and jaw-dropping beauty and variety make them almost irresistible.

But unless you want to buy the fake (but real-looking) versions of these plants, you’ll need to take care of succulents to help them stay alive. This post provides ten succulent care tips to help you take care of your succulents.

Good luck as you use it to improve your home’s appearance!

Filed Under: DIY

How To Pick A Ripe Watermelon

July 5, 2022 Leave a comment

Nothing screams summer like a ripe, juicy watermelon – except maybe drinking it, grilling it, or enjoying it in a salad. Packed with lycopene and vitamins A, B-6, and C, watermelon is one of the most nutritious fruits worldwide!

Ripe watermelons are even believed to offer protection against diabetes, heart diseases, and certain types of cancer! Unfortunately, the only best way to tell whether or not a watermelon is ripe is by slicing it and taking a bite.

But, if you don’t want precut products, it can be hard to pick a juicy and sweet watermelon based on its appearance. This article will discuss the nine best ways to pick a ripe watermelon.

Feel free to jump ahead!

ripe watermelons in green bins

What is a watermelon?

Scientifically known as Citrullus lanatus, the watermelon is a vining and flowering plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family of species. Botanically, watermelon is a fruit because of its development process – its plant bears fruit after the flowers bloom.

Ripe watermelons have a light sweetness that accommodates a bunch of summer flavors. And unlike most fruits, the watermelon doesn’t continue to ripen after it’s plucked, so the timing matters a lot.

Let’s see some indicators that your watermelon is ripe and ready for picking.

ripe cut watermelon on table

How do I pick a ripe watermelon?

Picking ripe watermelons doesn’t have to be complicated. And while gardening experts advise thumping the fruit with your knuckles and listening to a hollow sound, there are more ways to tell if the watermelon is ripe, including through its appearance.

Here are nine tips to help you pick the ripe watermelon:

Tip #1: Find the field spot or the yellow belly

The ‘field spot’, or where the watermelon rests on the ground, is the first thing you need to check when picking a watermelon. If the watermelon is ripe, the spot should have a butter-like yellow color.

However, if the spot is pale, smaller, or looks more white than yellow, the watermelon isn’t ripe and should be left longer before picking it.

Tip #2: Look for webbing

Vein-like webbing and dry weathering spots are excellent indicators of ripe and extra sweet watermelons. These brown marks show bees pollinated the flower well during its growth.

So, the next time you go shopping for watermelons or pick some from your garden, ensure you inspect all sides of the fruit before committing to one.

large ripe watermelon on white background

Tip #3: Hollow thump

Another very effective method of picking ripe watermelons is to tap them with your knuckles and listen to the hollow thump. A deep and rich sound indicates that a more significant percentage of the melon is water, ready for consumption.

Avoid the melons with a dull or high-pitched sound, as most are overly ripe or not ready.

Tip #4: Heavy weight

The perfectly ripe and juicy watermelon should feel heavy for its weight. Remember, 92% of the watermelon is water content, making it heavier than usual.

However, the weight isn’t always the most reliable trait for sweeter and ripe melons. A heavy watermelon may be overripe and less sweet, so use the melon’s weight with other indicators like the field spot to pick ripe fruit.

man holding watermelon in hands

Tip #5: Check the shape

Symmetry is key when picking ripe watermelons.

Round and symmetrical watermelons are the best. The uniform shape indicates that the melon is watered evenly throughout its growth.

Watermelons with irregular bumps, odd lumps, or one bigger side than the other may have experienced seasons of overwatering and drought. The oval or oblong melons (males) tend to be waterier and less flavorful and sweet.

Tip #6: Inspect the color

A darker-colored melon means that the fruit was allowed to ripen more fully on the vine and will most likely be sweeter and juicy. Again, it’s always advisable to use this tip along with tips listed in this post to land yourself the perfect watermelon.

Tip #7: Texture and rind glossiness

This is one of the best visual indicators of ripe watermelons. If the rind is smooth and glossy, your fruit isn’t ripe yet. The rind becomes rougher and dull to the touch when it’s in the sweet, juicy stage.

Also, you may puncture the rind using your fingernails: if it breaks easily, then it’s not ripe yet. However, if you can’t penetrate it using your fingernail and it has other indicators described here, then your melon is ripe.

Some experts also state that the green stripes become darker when your watermelon is ripe and ready to be picked. However, this tip is only helpful if you already have an unripe watermelon to compare with.

person holding watermelon slice over pool

Tip #8: Plant Indicators

The watermelon plant will ‘tell’ you when the melon fruit is ripe and whether it will have the perfect deep color and sweetness inside. The curly tendril on the main vine closest to the fruit will turn crispy and brown, indicating that the melon is sweet and ready to refresh you and your friends.

Also, the leaf growing nearest to the fruit may develop the color yellow when your melon is ready for harvesting.

Tip #9: Time to maturity

You can sample the ripeness and sweetness of your melons by randomly picking several of them from the field around their estimated time of maturity. This method works, but only for commercial watermelon growers.

If you have a few watermelon plants in your garden, you may not have the luxury or will to sacrifice some. Other better indicators can help you determine if your melons are ripe if that’s the case.

How do I spot a damaged watermelon?

At times, the spoiled watermelons smell and look just fine. This is especially the case with already-cut melons sitting in a container in your refrigerator for days.

Spoiled or damaged watermelons may not be safe to eat and may lead to such diseases as diarrhea. The good news is that you can tell between a bad and good watermelon using several tips, including:

  1. Black spots: These spots show the presence of bacteria or fungus, meaning the watermelon is bad
  2. Rind worm injury: Resulting from insect feeding, this injury presents itself as an irregular white to a light-brown pattern on the melon’s rind.
  3. Tangy or sour smell and taste: This one is pretty obvious; your watermelon is likely gone bad if it has a fermented or tangy smell and taste
  4. Water-soaked flesh: If the melon’s flesh starts to sag, disintegrate, and darken, it can indicate the presence of a fungal infection.
  5. Internal rind spots: This is a bacterial illness that manifests itself as a tan or dry brown tissue on the inner side of the rind.
  6. Target cluster: If you notice a target-like configuration on your melon, it can indicate the presence of a virus.

How do I store watermelons?

Storing watermelons and keeping them fresh is not a straight forward process. Below are some tips on how to storing watermelons and keeping them fresh:

  • Keep your watermelon in a cool place. Room temperature is ideal for storing watermelons, but it is even better if you have space in your refrigerator.
  • Just make sure that it isn’t too warm or too cold — somewhere around 50 degrees F is perfect for keeping your melon fresh for a long time.
  • Keep it away from sunlight. Watermelon does not like light at all — expose it to direct sunlight too much, and it will turn brown or even rot!
  • Don’t wash it before storing it. Watermelons can retain their flavor for up to two weeks if they aren’t washed before storing them. Washing removes part of the flavor molecules from the surface of the fruit, so don’t do it unless absolutely necessary!

Watermelons Storage: Which Is Better: Refrigerator or Counter?

The answer depends on what type of watermelon you’re buying. Watermelons are divided into two main types: “icebox” and “field” varieties.

The icebox variety has a thin skin and tends to be more cylindrical, while field watermelons have a thicker rind that is more spherical in shape.

If you buy an icebox variety, it’s best to keep it out of the refrigerator. Icebox watermelons don’t hold up well when chilled, so keeping them at room temperature will make them last longer than putting them in the fridge.

Field varieties, on the other hand, should be stored in the fridge because they have thicker rinds that can withstand being chilled without getting mushy or damaged by ethylene gas (this happens when other fruits are stored near each other).

Refrigerators are great at preserving food because they keep it cool and moist, which slows down the growth of microorganisms that cause spoilage. But when it comes to watermelon, refrigerators can still get too cold for long-term storage.

Watermelons need a temperature range between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit for best quality.

Temperatures lower than 45 degrees will cause chilling injury in the fruit, which shows up as cracks in the rind and discoloration on the flesh inside. Chilling injury will also make the flesh taste bland or bitter.

If you have a refrigerator that stays below 45 degrees, consider putting your watermelon on top of a tray of ice cubes.

The final thoughts

Watermelon, one of summer’s cool, shivery treats, can be a blast or a bust. You know that feeling when you expect sweetness but instead, get a ho-hum mouthful of watery nothingness.

Picking a sweet and ripe watermelon can be tricky. Internal indicators, such as a sweet taste and red flesh, are the only definitive factors when determining the ripeness of a watermelon.

If you want to eat a sweet melon this summer, use this guide to help pick the best one. Once you’re done using these guidelines, any melon shopper should be able to pick out a sweet, juicy melon.

Filed Under: Food

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