Some of the earliest references to the
cultivation of watermelons are found in Egyptian hieroglyphics
dating back more than 5,000 years. Cultures across Africa, India,
and the Mediterranean all have records referring to the watermelon.
David Livingstone confirmed the origin of the watermelon, when he
found wild watermelon fields in Africa.
Watermelons thrive in dry areas, and they have long served a very
important purpose beyond just being a healthy part of a meal.
Watermelons are about 92 percent water, and in many dry areas of
Africa, the fruit has long been tapped and used as a water source
for both people and animals. Evidence has even been found that they
were carried by explorers as a sort of natural water bottle.
Another advantage of watermelons is that there is no waste as all of
the fruit can be eaten. Aside from the juicy flesh, the seeds can be
roasted and the rind can be made into preserves. The sweet juice
from a watermelon is used for making beer in Russia, and it can also
be used as a base for syrups.
Showing posts with label Watermelon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Watermelon. Show all posts
May 23, 2014
Aug 30, 2013
Watermelon Facts
The watermelon grows on vines on
the ground. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and is
related to cantaloupe, squash and pumpkin. Some varieties of
watermelon come with a variety of rind and flesh colors. The inside
flesh of the popular varieties are red or yellow. The watermelon
grows in many different shapes. Watermelon has 92% water. Watermelon
contains vitamins A, B6 and C. You can eat every part of a
watermelon, including the seeds and rinds.
Thought to be the ancestor of the original watermelon, the white-skinned citron first grew in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. Egyptians recorded the earliest harvest of them 5,000 years ago. Watermelons were depicted in hieroglyphics that adorned the ancient walls of their structures. They buried the fruit in the tombs of their kings, because they believed it nourished them in the afterlife.
Watermelons spread by merchant ships to other countries as they traveled to conduct their business. The plants flourished along the Mediterranean Sea, and by the 10th century they made their way to China. Later in the 13th century the Moors helped spread the watermelon throughout Europe.
The watermelon may have made its way to the United States during the African slavery trade via slaves carrying the seeds on the ships. The word watermelon made its first debut in the English Dictionary in 1615. There are five states that currently lead watermelon production in the US - Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, and Arizona. The United States ranks as number four in worldwide production of watermelon. China is number one. 96 countries grow watermelons globally. Chinese and Japanese often give watermelons to the host when they visit. Israelis and Egyptians enjoy salads made with sweet watermelon and salty feta cheese.
Watermelons come in 1200 different varieties. Recent cultivations led to development of several desirable characteristics of the fruit, including seedless varieties and ones with thin rinds.
Thought to be the ancestor of the original watermelon, the white-skinned citron first grew in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. Egyptians recorded the earliest harvest of them 5,000 years ago. Watermelons were depicted in hieroglyphics that adorned the ancient walls of their structures. They buried the fruit in the tombs of their kings, because they believed it nourished them in the afterlife.
Watermelons spread by merchant ships to other countries as they traveled to conduct their business. The plants flourished along the Mediterranean Sea, and by the 10th century they made their way to China. Later in the 13th century the Moors helped spread the watermelon throughout Europe.
The watermelon may have made its way to the United States during the African slavery trade via slaves carrying the seeds on the ships. The word watermelon made its first debut in the English Dictionary in 1615. There are five states that currently lead watermelon production in the US - Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, and Arizona. The United States ranks as number four in worldwide production of watermelon. China is number one. 96 countries grow watermelons globally. Chinese and Japanese often give watermelons to the host when they visit. Israelis and Egyptians enjoy salads made with sweet watermelon and salty feta cheese.
Watermelons come in 1200 different varieties. Recent cultivations led to development of several desirable characteristics of the fruit, including seedless varieties and ones with thin rinds.
May 1, 2012
Five Fun Food Facts
Several states used to require
margarine to be dyed pink to appease the dairy lobby and keep butter
sales strong.
The Quaker Oats guy's name is Larry.
Twinkies originally had banana-flavored filling. Hostess switched to vanilla after bananas were rationed during World War II.
Oklahoma’s official state vegetable is the watermelon.
The eight juices in V8 are tomato, spinach, celery, carrot, beet, lettuce, watercress and parsley.
The Quaker Oats guy's name is Larry.
Twinkies originally had banana-flavored filling. Hostess switched to vanilla after bananas were rationed during World War II.
Oklahoma’s official state vegetable is the watermelon.
The eight juices in V8 are tomato, spinach, celery, carrot, beet, lettuce, watercress and parsley.
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