Watermelon: The Summer Fruit

Is there anything better on a hot July day then an ice-cold piece of watermelon? As a young man growing up in Florida in the 60’s I can tell you there is nothing more refreshing. Those days when dragonflies are so thick the air is bronze and it rains everyday at 2:30 pm, there is nothing that will quench your thirst better then ice-cold delicious watermelon.

Watermelon games ? Not only did it quench my thirst, it makes great fun like the seed spitting contest, or the more aggressive rind throwing battles and who has the biggest watermelon for the summer bragging rites debate.

If you have never been hit with a piece of watermelon rind I can tell you first hand that you are lucky as it hurts like hell. There is no better recognition then having been the family on the block that bought the whopper watermelon of the year. Everyone worked hard to get that honor especially my brother and I.

A little history. Yes, as you can see, I have great memories of this yummy summer fruit, which is 93% water. Interesting that a fruit that is so high in water content is believed to have come from the Kalahari Desert in Africa. Numerous seeds were found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s, although it’s existence in ancient Egypt is uncertain since it is not featured in any hieroglyphic text nor is it mentioned in any ancient manuscripts, but my brother and I didn’t care as it was the sweet juicy red meat that we envisioned every afternoon.

Healthy food ? Watermelon is high in vitamin C & A. It also contains a significant amount of lycopene and is diuretic in nature, but the taste is very distinctive being sweet and quenching at the same time. It has a little crunch to it like a snowball cone. My brother and I used to beg for a piece because it’s so refreshing on a hot day.

Horticulturalists agree watermelon is a fruit because of two distinctive reasons. It grows on a vine and they must be replanted annually. The vines keep the melon from being turned and blown around the fields.

Is it ripe ? My brother and I knew, because we worked in my cousin’s watermelon fields in the summer, that you could tell a ripe melon from thumping them with your finger or thumb. A ripe watermelon will make a dull thump and this means it’s ripe and ready to eat. Also they get a dull finish to their green waxy rind.

Special Tip. Watermelon is always a treat and I still like the flavor and texture of a good melon. We cut them up and place them in the outside refrigerator so they are accessible by the kids and adults all summer long. I found that if we didn't cut them up they would go to waste but when I took the initiative to cut it up in a big bowl or in individual cups it would go quickly.

Watermelon in China ? Sometimes when I eat watermelon I am reminded of being in China, as they are the world’s largest cultivator of watermelon and eat them after every meal to clean the palate. When I went to China a few years back they had watermelons everywhere.

I am constantly reminded of those easy summer days as a kid and remember in vivid detail the days at the lake, in the woods or inside eating while waiting on the rain to stop. I still like to eat watermelon outside in the summer, as it is one of lifes really good treats.

Cite:

1.World Book Enclyclopedia

2.Wikipedia: Watermelon