Where Do Watermelons Come From?

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.

Where do watermelons grow naturally?

Background and Aims Watermelons, Citrullus species (Cucurbitaceae), are native to

Africa

and have been cultivated since ancient times. The fruit flesh of wild watermelons is watery, but typically hard-textured, pale-coloured and bland or bitter. The familiar sweet dessert watermelons, C.

How did watermelon come to America?

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.

Where do watermelons come from now?

Watermelon comes from Africa.

This migration is believed to have come due to the slave trade, which is why the fruit is such a staple in Southern cuisine. Now, even though watermelon is grown in 44 states, the U.S. is only the fifth-largest producer. Today much of the watermelon we eat gets harvested in

China

.

Who found the first 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.

Can you eat too much watermelon?

Eating too much watermelon may cause

abdominal discomfort

, bloating, gas, a spike in your blood sugar levels, and — in rare cases — an orange discoloration of your skin.

Which country eats the most watermelon?

China

was the leading country in terms of per capita consumption, among the main consumers of watermelon, followed by Turkey (X kg/year), Iran (X kg/year), Egypt (X kg/year) and Brazil (X kg/year).

What is the watermelon capital of the world?

BEARDSTOWN, ILLINOIS

– While other towns call themselves the “Watermelon Capital of the World,” Beardstown only calls itself the “Watermelon Capital.” And for good reason: The town is one of the most prolific watermelon-growers in the state.

Is watermelon Man made?

Scientists cut the male flower at the stem and rub the pollen-producing section against the female flower. When pollinated, it creates a watermelon, which contains the seeds of the seedless variety. So, yes, in this sense, seedless watermelons are genetically modified through a careful process of select breeding.

Is watermelon a fruit or berry?

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.

Are watermelon good for you?

Healthier Heart

Watermelon is rich in an amino acid called citrulline that may help move blood through your body and can lower your blood pressure. Your heart also enjoys the perks of all the lycopene watermelon contains. Studies show that it may lower your risk of heart attacks.

What do watermelons grow on?

Watermelons grow on

sprawling vines

– just like their relatives, honeydew and cantaloupe melons, squash, gourds, and cucumbers.

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.

Is watermelon a New World food?

European colonists and slaves from Africa introduced the watermelon to the

New

World. Spanish settlers were growing it in Florida in 1576, and it was being grown in Massachusetts by 1629, and by 1650 was being cultivated in Peru, Brazil and Panama.

Can you eat watermelon leaves?