What Is The History Of Watermelon?

Watermelon’s history dates back 5000 years to southern Africa where the tough, drought-tolerant ancestor of watermelon thrived. Although we don’t know the exact identity of this plant, we do know it was prized for its ability to store water and was used by indigenous people in the Kalahari Desert region.

Who first made watermelon?

The first watermelons appeared in South Africa some 5,000 years ago, and we still can find many wild variants there, from sweet, too bland and bitter. They spread from there and by the 2000th year BC they were cultivated and became an everyday food in ancient Egypt.

Where do watermelon originally come from?

Scientists agree that the watermelon’s progenitor—the ur-watermelon, if you will—was cultivated in Africa before spreading north into Mediterranean countries and, later, to other parts of Europe.

Why watermelon is called watermelon?

How did the watermelon get its common name? The C. lanatus produces a fruit that is about 93% water, making it the majority of it water, hence the name “water” melon. The “melon” part came from the fact that the fruit is large and round and has a sweet, pulpy flesh.

Who brought watermelon America?

The Spanish then brought watermelon to the Americas in the 1500s. American Indians are believed to have started cultivating the fruit shortly after that. European colonists also brought watermelon seeds with them as they settled in the Americas. By 1629, they were widely grown in Massachusetts.

What is the original color of watermelon?

Traditional watermelons get their signature pink hue from lycopene, the same antioxidant that makes tomatoes and grapefruits red. Yellow watermelons, however, don’t contain lycopene, so they never take on a reddish color. Surprisingly, the cultivation of yellow watermelons came before pink watermelons.

Did you know facts about watermelon?

10 Fun Facts About Watermelon

• Watermelon is 92% water.
• Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
• The word “watermelon” first appeared in the English dictionary in 1615.
• A watermelon takes about 90 days to grow, from planting to harvesting.
• You can eat watermelon rind.

Is watermelon a man made fruit?

They started out as small, hard, bitter fruits, somewhere in Southern or Western Africa. As generations of people selectively planted seeds from fruits that were larger and tastier, they created the sweet, red watermelon we know today.

Is it healthy to eat watermelon?

Watermelon — which can actually be considered a fruit or a vegetable, according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board — is incredibly nutritious, too. Nutritionists say watermelon is low in calories and sugar and chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a great addition to a healthy diet.

Can dogs eat watermelon?

The answer is yes, with a couple of precautions. First, seeds could cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure you remove them. It’s also a good idea to remove the rind because it can cause gastrointestinal upset.

Why watermelon is red?

Red watermelons contain a chemical called lycopene that produces the red colour in fruits and vegetables like tomatoes. The lack of lycopene in yellow watermelon results in their yellow flesh. Yellow watermelons were actually cultivated before red melons.

What’s another name for watermelon?

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a flowering plant species of the Cucurbitaceae family and the name of its edible fruit.

Watermelon
Genus:	Citrullus
Species:	C. lanatus
Binomial name
Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai

Which fruit has the most water?

Melons such as cantaloupe and watermelon have some of the highest water content, at more than 90 percent.

What is the oldest fruit in the world?

Figs – the world’s oldest fruits
Fig trees have been grown since ancient times, which is why figs are often referred to as the oldest fruits known to man.

Is watermelon a natural Viagra?

Watermelon may be a natural Viagra, says a researcher. That’s because the popular summer fruit is richer than experts believed in an amino acid called citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Can you eat too much watermelon?

Watermelon is a splendid source of dietary fiber and water. But, if you eat too much watermelon, it can cause bloating, gas, flatulence, diarrhea, and other such stomach troubles. This is majorly due to the presence of sorbitol, which is a sugar compound, and lycopene, which gives the fruit its bright red color.

What does a watermelon mean spiritually?

Watermelons are quite popular and have deep symbolism in many cultures. They symbolize fertility, intellect, and happiness. Seeing them in your dreams can also have many positive connotations.

What color watermelon is the sweetest?

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

Why is my watermelon pink and not red?

The inside, if you’re looking at a cut watermelon section, should be bright pink or red with a thick, pale rind. An over-ripe melon will have paler pink flesh, more a shell pink than hot pink. The rind may be greener, and the outside will be more splotchy or discolored.

What are 5 facts about watermelon?

Here are 14 facts you might not know about watermelon.

• Watermelon is a berry!
• Watermelon’s name caused a big kerfuffle.
• Watermelon wasn’t always sweet.
• Watermelon’s ancestry is still unknown.
• Watermelon was used as a canteen for long voyages.
• Watermelon was found in King Tut’s tomb.

What are the benefits of watermelon?

The Top 9 Health Benefits of Watermelon

• Helps you stay hydrated.
• Packed with nutrients and beneficial plant compounds.
• May have anticancer effects.
• May improve heart health.
• May reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
• May help prevent macular degeneration.
• May relieve muscle soreness.
• May aid skin health.