Watermelon

Hello everyone,

                         National Watermelon Day encourages the consumption of Watermelons. Watermelons can lower the risk of heart disease and reduce hypertension. About 92% of a watermelon is water making it a popular refreshing fruit. Watermelons have high Lycopene levels that promote cardiovascular health, bone health, and prevent prostate cancer.The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt and is depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics on walls of their ancient buildings. Watermelons were often placed in the burial tombs of kings to nourish them in the afterlife.

• According to Guinness World Records, the world’s heaviest watermelon was grown by Chris Kent of Sevierville, Tennessee in 2013, weighing in at 350.5 lbs.

•  More than 300 varieties of watermelon are cultivated in the United States and South America. The most common watermelon options are seeded, seedless, mini and yellow & orange.

• The first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1796 was titled American Cookery and contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.

• The word “watermelon” first appeared in the English dictionary in 1615.

There is some debate between the botanical and gardening community as to whether to classify watermelon as a vegetable or a fruit. Botanists all agree that watermelons are a fruit, while gardeners usually tend to believe that it is a vegetable given that it is closely related to the squash, gourd, and cucumber families.