Early explorers used watermelons as canteens. Watermelon’s official name is Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae. It is cousins to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.
Watermelon is a member of the cucurbitaceae plant family of gourds (classified as Citrullus lantus), related to the cucumber, squash and pumpkin. It is planted from seeds or seedlings, harvested, and then cleared from the field like other vegetables.
What fruits are in the same family as watermelon?
The Melon Family, Cucurbitaceae, is a plant family commonly known as melons, gourds or cucurbits and includes crops like cucumbers, squashes (including pumpkins), luffas, melons (including watermelons).
Are cucumbers and watermelon cousins?
Cucumber, melon, and watermelon are originally from the Old World (primarily Africa and Asia). Although they are in the same family (Cucurbitaceae) with the squashes, pumpkins, and gourds (mostly of the genus Cucurbita ), they are only distantly related.
What else is in the watermelon family?
The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: Cucurbita – squash, pumpkin, zucchini, some gourds. Lagenaria – calabash, and others that are inedible. Citrullus – watermelon (C.
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 watermelon a berry or a melon?
The elongated tough-skinned fruits of the family Cucurbitaceae, including watermelons, cucumbers, and gourds, are a type of berry referred to as pepos. Any small fleshy fruit is popularly called a berry, especially if it is edible.
Why is a strawberry not a berry?
Surprisingly, eggplants, tomatoes and avocados are botanically classified as berries. And the popular strawberry is not a berry at all. Botanists call the strawberry a “false fruit,” a pseudocarp. A strawberry is actually a multiple fruit which consists of many tiny individual fruits embedded in a fleshy receptacle.
Why do cucumbers taste like watermelon?
Plus, sharp-nosed people can tell that – depending on the variety – cucumbers already have a mild melon-like smell and taste. This comes from compounds called aldehydes. There’s a particular aldehyde called trans,cis-2,6-nonadienal that’s found in both cucumbers and melon, and this could be the crucial component.
Is pineapple a melon?
Pineapple Melons are large, oval melons with a very faint aroma of pineapple. They have orangey-yellow skin with netting. Depending on the cultivar, they may have light-green, orange or yellow flesh.
Both watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) and cantaloupes (Cucumis melo) are members of the cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae.
What do the stripes on a watermelon mean?
If the watermelon is ripe, the ‘belly spot’ will be white or yellow. If you can see the stripes through the belly spot, it may not be ripe.” A smooth rind usually indicates a good fruit. “You might try to avoid melons that are over-lumpy,” Egel said.
Where do watermelons come from originally?
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.
Can dogs have melon?
Yes, the tasty melon is safe for pups to eat in moderation and can be a healthy alternative to traditional treats, especially if your dog is overweight. Even the seeds are harmless, but you should avoid feeding them to your dog intentionally, as they can be a choking hazard.
Which is the sweetest melon?
Due to their similar taste and texture, they can be used interchangeably in most recipes. However, honeydew is slightly sweeter with a firm, green flesh, while cantaloupe has softer, orange flesh.
What are the 14 different types of watermelon?
Some watermelon types have higher sugar content and are sweeter; and some varieties have different colored rind and flesh.
Picnic Watermelons
- Charleston Gray.
- Black Diamond.
- Jubilee.
- Allsweet.
- Crimson Sweet.
Does watermelon cause you to poop?
Watermelon. It doesn’t have a lot of fiber, but it’s 92% water, and that can encourage a bowel movement.
What is the best fruit in the world?
Top 10 healthiest fruits
- 1 Apple. A low-calorie snack, high in both soluble and insoluble fiber.
- 2 Avocado. The most nutritious fruit in the world.
- 3 Banana.
- 4 Citrus fruits.
- 5 Coconut.
- 6 Grapes.
- 7 Papaya.
- 8 Pineapple.
What fruits have no seeds?
Common varieties of seedless fruits include watermelons, tomatoes, grapes (such as Termarina rossa), and bananas. Additionally, there are numerous seedless citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons and limes.
Is watermelon good for dogs?
But is it safe for them to eat? 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.
Is a banana really a berry?
It turns out that blackberries, mulberries, and raspberries are not berries at all, but bananas, pumpkins, avocados and cucumbers are.
Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. He became interested in it at a young age, and has been honing his skills ever since. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes, and is always looking for ways to improve his technique.
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