It’s August 3rd, so that means it’s National Watermelon Day, and honestly, does summer get any better than this? Whether you’re slicing one up for a backyard BBQ or eating straight over the sink, here are a few fun facts to go with your next bite.
It Wasn’t Always Sweet
The earliest watermelon was far from what we know today. They were pale white or greenish and extremely bitter. It took generations of selective breeding to turn them into the bright summer treat.
Watermelon is a Cousin of The Cucumber Family
The watermelon is a part of the Cucurbitaceae family, often referred to as the gourd family, so that would be the cucumber, squash, and surprisingly cantaloupe. They are all vegetables cause they are harvested as such. But botanically, they are fruit cause they have seeds on the inside and come from a flower.
China Grows The Most
They grow about 60 million tons a year, which is more than 10 times any other country. The United States only produces around 2 million tons. Americans eat about 15 pounds per person every summer.
Not All Are Red
Yellow and orange watermelons aren’t dyed or modified. They are completely natural varieties that were developed long before the red one you know today. The color comes from the watermelons having little to no lycopene, which is the same pigment that turns tomatoes red. The yellow and orange ones are sweeter and juicier than the red watermelons.
Made Up of Over 90% Water
Watermelon hydrates your body in multiple ways, not just cause its full of water. It delivers hydration through electrolytes, amino acids, antioxidants, and slow absorption; all of them work together to keep you cool and balanced in the heat.
Make The Most of the Season
Watermelon season is short, sweet, and gone before you know it. So enjoy it however you love it, whether that’s salted or plain, seeded or seedless, cut into cubes, sliced into wedges, or blended into something cool. Let yourself pause, settle in, and enjoy a slice while the day feels soft.
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