Watermelon

Did You Know?

Watermelon can be considered both a fruit and a vegetable. It’s is made of more than 90% water, has a sweet taste, and develops from the plants ovary after flowering like most fruit. However, it is a member of the cucumber family known as Cucurbitaceae and is often grown like a vegetable by farmers. The state of Oklahoma even declared it their official vegetable in 2007.

Cultivated for more than 5,000 years

There is evidence that the ancient Egyptians cultivated watermelons over 5,000 years ago. They depicted watermelons in drawings on walls and even left the fruit in tombs to nourish the dead in the afterlife. The cultivation of watermelons has continued to be perfected over the years. Just 50 years ago the seedless watermelon was invented which is in fact not genetically modified. It is a hybrid cross between two species of watermelon that results in a sterile plant. Farmers in Japan have perfected the art of growing square watermelons which makes them easier to transport. Finally, according to Guinness World Records, the largest watermelon was 350.5 lbs. That’s a lot of water, and melon!
livescience.com