Your Daily Facts about Watermelons
Watermelon is actually a vegetable and not a fruit. It is also related to the pumpkin, cucumber and the squash.
The watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) are the natives of the Kalahari desert found in Southern Africa.
Watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar.
The watermelons were brought to China across the Mediterranean sea in merchant ships. Incidentally, China is the largest producer of watermelons in the world today.
The watermelon was brought into America across the Atlantic oceans by African slaves.
As watermelon is about 92% water, early explorers used watermelons as a canteen.
Every part of the watermelon, including the seeds and the rind is edible.
The first recorded watermelon harvest was in Egypt and it took place nearly 5000 years ago. This is depicted in the Egyptian hieroglyphics that is found in ancient buildings. As a matter of fact, watermelons were also placed in the tombs of kings to help them nourish in the after life.
Over 1,200 varieties of watermelons are grown worldwide in 96 countries.
In some Mediterranean countries, the taste of watermelon is paired with the salty taste of feta cheese.
The first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1796 contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.
Watermelon has no fat or cholesterol and is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6 and C and contains fiber and potassium.
Watermelons are very fragile and cannot be harvested with the help of machines. Instead they are carefully tossed by workers on a relay that runs between the fields and the truck.
Unripe watermelons should be avoided as they can be slightly acidic.
The largest consumption of watermelon is in the United States when considered by the weight of the watermelon.
Watermelon is a popular gift for the host In China and Japan.
Bill Carson of Arrington, Tennessee grew a 262 pound watermelon in 1990. This feat found a place in the 1998 edition of the Guinness World Book of Records.
Watermelon became a part of the dictionary in 1615.