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WATERMELON, An American Favorite

See Also: Watermelon, HIstory & Facts;   Watermelon Trivia;   Watermelon Quotes
 

An American favorite for meals and snacks. People can’t seem to get enough of the sweet treat, and nutritionists have long appreciated the health benefits watermelon provides. Recently research has shed new light on its potential health benefits. Watermelon contains high concentrations of lycopene, an antioxidant that may help reduce the risks of cancer and other diseases. Watermelon is fat free, nutritionally low in calories and considered an ideal diet food, and is high in energy, making it a great energy boost and a welcome treat on hot summer days!

Watermelon, the fruit that is really a Vegetable. Watermelon can be traced back to Africa and is part of the cucumber and squash family. Early watermelons were mainly rind and seeds. Today's varieties are larger, the flesh sweeter, with fewer smaller seeds and the rind thinner. With its bold red flesh and satisfying crunch, it is perhaps the most refreshing, thirst quenching fruit of all. Watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar, so it is aptly named. Americans eat over 17 lbs of watermelon each year. The largest one on world record (Guinness Book of World Records) weighed 262 pounds.

In addition to the United States, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Croatia are also known to grow and export considerable quantities.

When to look for them in your grocery store:
Watermelons are available all year. The natural sweetness of watermelon makes it a favorite anytime of the year. It is a perfect addition to a salad, salsa, or cool drink. Top chunks of sweet watermelon with fruit flavored sherbets or sorbets.

Nutritional Facts:
Fat-free
Saturated fat-free
Very low sodium
Cholesterol-free
A good source of vitamin A
High in vitamin C

Selecting
Choose firm, symmetrical, fruit free of cracks, bruises, soft spots or mold. Ripe watermelon will have a healthy sheen, a dull rind, dried stem, and a buttery yellow underside where it touched the ground. There should be a melon like smell or fragrance. Thump if you must, sound should be dull and hollow. Lift them, weight should be heavy for size.

Special Tip
Avoid watermelons that are very hard, white or very pale green in color on the underside, indicating immaturity. An immature watermelon will be slightly acidic.

Storing
Once picked, watermelon will not ripen easily. If unripe, try putting the whole melon in paper bag un-refrigerated. This sometimes works to ripen them.  Watermelons can be kept for short periods of time, up to 2 weeks, uncut at room temperature. Wash watermelon with soap and water before cutting.  Once cut, package what is not eaten in closed plastic containers or bags and put back in the refrigerator.

Varieties
There are more than 50 varieties of watermelon grown commercially (a few examples are Tom Watson, Irish Grey, Thurmond Grey, Florida Favourite, Kleckley-sweet, Kleckley-improved, Early Kansas, Excel, Klondike, Pride Muscatine, Iowa King, Iowa Bell, Harris Early, Chilian, Cuban Queen, Dixie Queen, Yellow Ice Cream, Golden Honey).  Most have red flesh, but there are orange and yellow-fleshed varieties. Of the 50 varieties of watermelon available throughout the United States, there are four general categories: Allsweet, Ice-Box, Seedless and Yellow Flesh.
 

AllSweet
20–25 pounds
Red Flesh
Oblong
Dark green rind, with or without stripes
Serving suggestion: Surprise your guests by serving a large refreshing wedge of watermelon following a heavy meal. Place the wedge on a plate with a large knife and encourage the entire table to enjoy a slice.

Ice-Box
5–15 pounds
Red or yellow flesh
Round
Dark or light green rind
Serving suggestion: Make your salsa or relish really "cool" by substituting watermelon for tomatoes in your favorite recipe. Serve with grilled chicken, fish or pork. Try watermelon salsa with chips, too.

Seedless
10–25 pounds
Red or yellow flesh
Oval to round
Light green rind with dark green stripes
Serving suggestion: This variety's perfect for sorbets and beverages. Blend cubes of seedless watermelon and use the juice in margaritas, daiquiris or lemonade for a new twist.

Yellow Flesh
10–30 pounds
Yellow to bright orange flesh
Oblong to long
Light green rind with mottled stripes
Serving suggestion: Use for color variety as a garnish or side dish. Create festive fruit kabobs by skewering yellow flesh watermelon with other seasonal fruits, such as kiwis and strawberries.

Make Watermelon Part of Your 5 A Day Plan
Keep watermelon chunks, slices or juice in your refrigerator. Pack a slice in your lunch box. Use as a snack or thirst quencher. Combine with other fruit or vegetables to use as an appetizer, in fresh fruit salad or as a dessert. Scoop out fruit and cut rind like a basket for an even prettier fruit salad.