In the sweltering heat of July, which is also National Watermelon Month, nothing tastes as great as a big cold bowl of watermelon. It has a unique taste and scent that refreshes you from the inside out. Consisting of 92% water, eating a watermelon hydrates you thoroughly. It also helps restore essential electrolytes in your body. During the heat of July, it is believed to be one way to relieve the pain of muscle cramps. Many cultures boil and cook the rind to make scrumptious savory salads and dishes.

5 FACTS ABOUT WATERMELON THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

1. Watermelons are considered a fruit and vegetableWhile it is true that watermelons are created using the pollination method that all fruits go through, many gardeners also consider watermelons as vegetables because they are part of the botanical family of gourds.
2. Watermelons have 1,200 varietiesWatermelons come in over 1,200 varieties, and each is divided into four categories: seeded, seedless, yellow/orange, and icebox.
3. The heaviest watermelonChris Kent of Tennessee holds the world record for growing the heaviest watermelon, which weighed around 350.5 pounds.
4. Seedless watermelons are naturalContrary to popular belief, seedless watermelons occur naturally due to years of evolution.
5. Watermelon is actually a berryThe watermelon is actually a type of berry called pepo, and this variety has a harder outer rind with a softer inner flesh.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH

National Watermelon Month came into existence in 2007 when a resolution was submitted by the senate to the U.S. Congress. The resolution was accepted, and July was designated as the official Watermelon Month. The aim was to raise production and sales of the fruit all over the country. Today, watermelon is a crucial agricultural sector in America as it is produced in 49 states, and is sold and consumed in 50 states. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2006 alone, the U.S. produced a whopping 4,200,000,000 pounds of watermelon! Now, that is a lot of watermelons. The National Watermelon Association, which is a membership trade, is another organization that is dedicated to creating positive changes and growth in the industry. It has chapters all over America and Canada.

Given its track record on sales and production, we know that watermelon is extremely popular among the masses, but did you know that it has gone through extreme evolution to come to the stage it is in today? That’s right, earlier records show that watermelons from the ancient era were not as fleshy or as red as the watermelons today. It was through seasoned farmers’ efforts that watermelons started changing.

If we were to start at a particular point, the earliest records show that watermelon may have originated in ancient Egypt in 2000 B.C. In fact, some watermelon seeds were also found in King Tut’s tomb. Eventually, watermelon found its way to the Middle East and the rest of Asia. Trading routes and growing civilizations and globalization led to watermelon being taken to China and India during the 7th century. It would take another 10 centuries for watermelon to reach North-, South-, and Central America. The watermelon fruit has had quite a journey all over the planet.

Explore More…

• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month
• National Apple Month
• National Grapefruit Month
• National Cherry Month
• National Peach Month
• National Blueberry Month
• National Strawberry Day
• Pick Strawberries Day
• California Strawberry Day
• National Strawberry Month
• National Mango Day
• National Pomegranate Day
• National Watermelon Day
• National Ranier Cherry Day
• National Apricot Day
• National Fruit at Work Day
• National Watermelon Month
• National Papaya Month

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH

Enjoy a cold watermelonThe month of July has its fair share of festivities including the Fourth of July. This means that you may be spending long hours of your day outdoors in the heat. But don’t worry, as you can cool down by enjoying a bowl of fresh watermelon.

Try a watermelon steak. July also happens to be the month of grilling. If you are looking to up your grilling food game, you can find a watermelon steak recipe and prepare it on the grill. If you are not a fan of grilling, you can always cook the watermelon on your stove or bake it in the oven.

Have a seed spitting contest. Watermelons have some of the most distinct seeds of all fruits. You can organize a seed-spitting contest with your friends and family, and see who is the best at this specialized skill.

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH

1. It’s a celebration of watermelonsWatermelons are a great source of food. They are hydrating and help to get rid of muscle cramps. Moreover, they have no fat or cholesterol, are high in fiber, and are packed with vitamin C. It is an all-rounder.
2. It’s a celebration of freshnessIn the muggy and humid weather of July, people are on the constant lookout for things to cool themselves off with, and watermelon can help you with just that. Whether you choose to have it cubed with other summer fruits or juice it, it doesn’t matter because you will be getting a dose of much-needed refreshment.
3. It’s a celebration of summerWe wouldn’t have been able to appreciate the goodness of watermelon without summer. This season may have us rushing towards shade, but it also gives us the amazing fruit that is watermelon.

Share your pictures and recipes on social media with #NationalWatermelonMonth.