Celebrated every year on August 3, National Watermelon Day is the perfect excuse to enjoy this juicy fruit while learning a few surprising facts along the way. From the health benefits of watermelon to how to pick a good watermelon at the grocery store, here's everything you need to know about summer's most iconic melon.
What Is National Watermelon Day?
Watermelon gets its own holiday on August 3rd—National Watermelon Day.Roberto Huczek
Watermelon has been cultivated for thousands of years, originally growing in northeastern Africa before spreading around the world. Today, the United States is one of the world's largest producers, with states like Florida, Texas, Georgia, California, and Arizona growing millions of pounds of watermelon each year.
Is Watermelon Good for You? The Many Health Benefits of Watermelon
There are numerous health benefits of watermelon and reasons why watermelon good for you—it's filled with vitamins, antioxidants, and contains a high percentage of water.T.J. Breshears
If you've ever wondered is watermelon good for you, the answer is yes—there are plenty of health benefits of watermelon to enjoy! Although it's naturally sweet, watermelon is packed with nutrients while remaining surprisingly low in calories.
92% water: One of watermelon’s biggest benefits is its incredibly high water content. At about 92% water, it's an excellent way to stay hydrated during hot summer months, especially after spending time outdoors.Vitamin C: Watermelon is also an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system and helps your body produce collagen for healthy skin. Vitamin A: Watermelon also provides vitamin A, an important nutrient for eye health and immune function.Lycopene: Another reason nutrition experts often recommend watermelon is because it contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives the fruit its vibrant red color. Lycopene has been studied for its role in supporting heart health and protecting cells from oxidative stress.Citrulline: Watermelon also contains citrulline, an amino acid that may help improve blood flow and support exercise recovery. While more research is still being done, it's one of the reasons watermelon is often considered a great post-workout snack.Low-calorie: Although watermelon does contain natural sugar, it's relatively low in calories—one cup of watermelon contains just 46 calories. The nutritional breakdown in one cup of watermelon is as follows: 9.4 grams of sugar, 0.6 grams of fiber, 0.9 grams of protein, and 0.2 grams of fat.How to Pick a Good Watermelon? Here’s How to Tell if a Watermelon is Ripe
Wan to know how to pick a good watermelon? One of the easiest tips for how to tell if a watermelon is ripe is to look for a creamy yellow "field spot."wgbieber
There's nothing more disappointing than cutting into a watermelon only to discover it's bland, dry, or underripe. Fortunately, there are a few simple tricks that can help learn how to pick a good watermelon and how to tell if a watermelon is ripe every time.
Look for a creamy yellow field spot: One of the easiest ways to tell if a watermelon is ripe is by checking its field spot—the patch where the melon rested on the ground while growing. A ripe watermelon should have a creamy yellow or golden spot. If the spot is white or barely visible, the fruit was likely picked before it had fully matured.Pick one that feels heavy: For its size, a ripe watermelon should feel noticeably heavy. That's because a juicy watermelon contains more water, which generally means it's fresher and sweeter than one that feels light.Choose a symmetrical shape: Whether it's round or oval, look for a watermelon that's evenly shaped without large dents, bumps, or flat sides. Consistent growth usually results in better texture and flavor.Give it a tap: You’ve probably seen people knocking on watermelons at the grocery store—and there's actually some truth behind the trick. A ripe watermelon typically produces a deep, hollow sound when tapped. An underripe melon often sounds higher-pitched, while an overripe one may sound dull.Check the stem: If the watermelon still has part of its stem attached, it can offer another clue. A dry, brown stem generally indicates the fruit ripened naturally before harvest, while a green stem may suggest it was picked too early.Differences Between Yellow Watermelon vs. Orange Watermelon vs. Red Watermelon
You might be surprised to know that in addition to red watermelon, varieties such as yellow watermelon and orange watermelon also exist.Pixabay
Yellow watermelon: Yellow watermelon looks almost identical to a traditional red watermelon on the outside, but cutting it open reveals bright golden flesh. It gets its color from natural pigments called carotenoids and tastes slightly sweeter than red watermelon.Orange watermelon: Orange watermelon is less common. Its flesh ranges from peach to deep orange and has a sweet, tropical flavor that some compare to cantaloupe or mango.Red watermelon: Red watermelon gets its color from lycopene, the same antioxidant found in tomatoes. It has the classic sweet, refreshing watermelon flavor most people are used to and is the variety most commonly sold in grocery stores.How to Cut a Watermelon
Knowing how to cut a watermelon is actually quite simple, and cutting a watermelon into traditional wedges is one of the easiest methods of all.Rodion Kutsaiev
Traditional wedges: The classic triangle slices are perfect for backyard barbecues, picnics, and pool parties. Simply cut the watermelon in half, place each half cut-side down, and slice into evenly sized wedges.Bite-sized cubes: For fruit salads, lunch boxes, or snacking, cubes are often the easiest option. Slice the watermelon into thick rounds, remove the rind, then cut the flesh into even cubes.Watermelon sticks: One of the easiest ways to serve watermelon—especially for kids—is to cut it into sticks. This creates a natural "handle" that's less messy than traditional slices and easy to grab on the go.Cookie cutter shapes: Hosting a summer party? After slicing the watermelon into thick rounds, use cookie cutters to create fun stars, hearts, flowers, or other festive shapes. They're perfect for holiday gatherings, baby showers, or fruit platters.
Tip! No matter how you slice it, be sure to wash the outside of the watermelon before cutting. While you don't eat the rind, your knife passes through it, and washing the surface first helps reduce the chance of transferring bacteria to the fruit inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
National Watermelon Day is a fun way to celebrate summer's favorite fruit.Foundry Co
Can You Eat Watermelon Seeds?
Yes—black, brown, and white watermelon seeds are all safe to eat.
Which Watermelon is Sweetest?
Sweetness varies depending on the variety and growing conditions, but many people find that yellow and orange watermelons taste slightly sweeter than traditional red varieties. No matter the color, choosing a ripe watermelon is still the biggest factor in getting great flavor.
Can you freeze watermelon?
Yes. Watermelon freezes well. Cut it into cubes, freeze the pieces on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?
Can cats eat watermelon?
Cats can eat small amounts of watermelon, although avoid giving cats the rind or large seeds.
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