The perfect hot weather fruit, watermelon is precisely
that, about 92% water. Known early on as a source
of liquid in Africa, where it probably originated,
the watermelon is considered a member of the cucumber
family of plants. Watermelon growing, even of the
commercial sort, is dependent on two major contributors,
in addition to warmth and water: the honey bee for
pollination and the farm laborer for the handpicking
of each melon. ( Florida and Georgia are the two
top producing watermelon states.) The plant's spreading
green leaves provide shade, the crawling vines give
the melon space and its generous yellow blossoms
attract the necessary bees. When you buy a melon
remember that it was cut in the field ripe and ready
to eat. It won't ripen further in your kitchen.
Look for a melon with a yellowish underside and
a feeling of heft. Once cut open the melon's flesh
should be richly colored, whether traditional pink
or newly popular yellow.
Melon poster (The
Gutsy Gourment)
One difference between muskmelons
and watermelons is their seed distribution. The
seeds of of muskmelons are centrally gathered in
a cavity, whereas the watermelon's seeds are spread
throughout.
Melon diagram from Yes, We Have
Bananas: Fruits from Shrubs & Vines
by Meredith Sayles Hughes
Watermelon
Gallery
"It
is the chief of this world's luxuries, king by the
grace of God over all the fruits of the earth. When
one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat."
--Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson
Watermelon Day, Conesville, Iowa, September 10,
1912
Watermelon vendors, Chicago, 1910.
This is a model of an Egyptian watermelon pushcart.
Mexican Last Supper ceramic model featuring watermelons
and other fruit.
Japanese 19th century woodcut of boys eating and
playing a type of
water polo with watermelons.
Japanese
square watermelons fit neatly into shipping boxes.
Photo
of North Carolina (USA) Watermelon Festival Queen
Watermelon pull toy, 1960's USA
Early 20th century exaggerated photo. These boastful
post cards were sent
to relatives and friends back in the eastern part
of the USA.
Gallagher
"Gallagher
Smashing a Watermelon", by Ron Sanders
(Sanders-Studios.com)
Leo Anthony Gallagher
is an American comedian and prop comic, most
popularly known for smashing watermelons as part
of his act.
China's Watermelon
Museum
China's Watermelon
Festival
Carved
watermelon gallery
Watermelon (Sandia) Mountains
Albuquerque, New Mexico's mountains red glow when
viewed at sunset reminded the Spanish of a cut melon
and so they named them Sandia (watermelon) Mountains.
How to pick a ripe watermelon and
learn more here.
Click
here to see some watermelon videos.
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