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It was brought to America by some of the earliest European colonists, being common in Massachusetts in 1629. The Florida Indians were said to have been growing watermelons by the mid-1600’s, and Father Marquette, French explorer of the Mississippi, mentioned them in 1673 as being grown in the interior of the country.
When and from where did watermelon come to the United States?
Watermelons were brought to Americas by European colonists and by slave trade from Africa. The first ones were grown in Florida in the 16th century. Later, in the 17th century, they were grown in Massachusetts, Peru, Brazil, Panama and many British and Dutch colonies.
Is watermelon native to America?
It was found growing in Florida as early as 1576 and in Massachusetts by 1629. Thomas Jefferson grew watermelon at Monticello and, by the early part of our nation’s history, it was being grown by Native American’s from the Mississippi Valley south to Florida.
Where did watermelon originally come from?
Conclusions The diverse evidence, combined, indicates that northeastern Africa is the centre of origin of the dessert watermelon, that watermelons were domesticated for water and food there over 4000 years ago, and that sweet dessert watermelons emerged in Mediterranean lands by approximately 2000 years ago.
How do watermelons get to the US?
Most watermelons imported to the United States come from Mexico, followed by Guatemala and Honduras.
Who first discovered watermelon?
The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred in Egypt nearly 5000 years ago. Because of its great water content, early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
What was the original color of watermelon?
The angels, however, would have gagged if they had eaten the watermelon’s wild ancestor—a bitter fruit with hard, pale-green flesh. Generations of selective breeding, spanning several countries and cultures, produced the sweet red fruit that’s now a common sight on picnic tables.
Who invented seedless watermelon?
Information from the Watermelon Board shows seedless watermelons were invented more than 50 years ago by H. Kirata, a Japanese scientist and professor at Kyoto University. Seedless watermelons look and taste like ordinary watermelons minus the black seed.
Did you know facts about watermelon?
10 Refreshing Facts About Watermelon WATERMELONS ARE BOTH A FRUIT AND A VEGETABLE. YOU CAN EAT THE ENTIRE FRUIT. THEY’RE CALLED WATERMELONS FOR A REASON. THEY COME IN 1200 DIFFERENT VARIETIES. THE SEEDLESS ONES ARE NOT GENETICALLY ENGINEERED. WATERMELONS CAN GROW TO BE REALLY, REALLY BIG.
How did watermelon get its name?
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.
Why watermelon is not good for you?
If you eat an abundance of the fruit daily, however, you may experience problems from having too much lycopene or potassium. The consumption of more than 30 mg of lycopene daily could potentially cause nausea, diarrhea, indigestion and bloating, according to the American Cancer Society.
Did watermelon originate in Africa?
Background and Aims Watermelons, Citrullus species (Cucurbitaceae), are native to Africa and have been cultivated since ancient times.
Why do watermelons have stripes?
The watermelon rind often provides clues to its ripeness, Egel said. “A watermelon that is ripe will be faded on the top. If the watermelon has stripes, look at the area between the stripes. A smooth rind usually indicates a good fruit.
What state produces the most watermelons?
Nearly 80 percent of all U.S. watermelon production hails from four States—Florida, Georgia, Texas and California. Florida surpasses all other States as the main supplier of U.S. watermelons, accounting for total production of 907 million pounds, or 25 percent of domestic supplies in 2019.
Where do watermelons grow year round?
One-third of the watermelon supply in the U.S. is imported from Central American countries, including Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Mexico. This ensures the fruit’s year-round availability. In Mexico, the watermelon (“sandía” in Spanish), is one of the most beloved every day fruits.
What states grow the best watermelon?
While watermelons are grown across the U.S., most production occurs in the top five states (Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, and Texas), producing approximately 69 percent of all grown in the U.S. The average watermelon yield per acre in the U.S in 2020 was 39,704 pounds.
What country eats the most watermelon?
China consumed over 70 million tons of watermelon last year, with the per capita watermelon consumption exceeding 50 kilograms (kg), as indicated by the FAO figures.
Are all watermelons red inside?
Not all watermelons are red. While everyone recognizes the lush red inside the average watermelon, some of these fruits are a golden yellow-orange or pale green.
Is there a male and female watermelon?
There is no such thing as a boy versus girl watermelon, even though there are male and female watermelon flowers. North Carolina is in peak watermelon season right now, so regardless of the size or variety, your watermelon should taste sweet and juicy.
What animals eat watermelon?
Raccoons and deer also like watermelons, particularly as the fruit becomes ripe. Damage inflicted by these animals usually is less extensive than the handiwork of coyotes. They may make holes in the rind and scoop or chew some of the inside of the flesh, but they don’t usually consume an entire melon.
Why is watermelon yellow inside?
The flesh of watermelons turning yellow is a natural mutation. In fact, the originator of our commercial variety, which comes from Africa, is a yellow to white fleshed fruit. A large field of melons may find that some watermelon is yellow inside, while other plants are producing red fruits.
Is a yellow watermelon safe to eat?
Unlike red watermelon, yellow watermelon contains more beta-carotene, which is an antioxidant that may protect against cancer and eye diseases. With its many health benefits and low calorie count, yellow watermelon is a great choice for anyone who’s looking for a sweet, refreshing snack.
