Watermelon is a large, sweet fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family, related to cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash. It is recognized for its significant size, striped green rind, and high water content, making it a popular choice for refreshment during warm weather.
Nutritional Profile of Watermelon
The fruit consists of about 91-92% water, which makes it a refreshing food choice with a low calorie count, containing just 30 calories per 100-gram serving. Beyond its water content, watermelon provides several vitamins. It is a source of Vitamin C, an antioxidant, and Vitamin A, which is present in the form of beta-carotene. A standard serving also supplies a notable amount of potassium.
Watermelon has a high concentration of lycopene, a plant compound. Lycopene is a carotenoid antioxidant that gives the fruit its characteristic red or pink color. In fact, fresh watermelon contains more lycopene per serving than fresh tomatoes. This compound helps protect cells from damage and is associated with various health benefits.
Watermelon is also the richest known dietary source of an amino acid called citrulline. The highest concentration of citrulline is found in the white rind that separates the flesh from the outer green skin. In the body, citrulline can be converted into another amino acid, arginine. Studies have shown that consuming watermelon juice can effectively raise blood levels of both citrulline and lycopene.
How to Select a Ripe Watermelon
Choosing a ripe watermelon involves a few simple inspection techniques. One of the most reliable indicators is the field spot. This is the patch on the melon’s underside where it rested on the ground as it grew. A ripe watermelon will have a creamy, buttery yellow field spot; a spot that is white or very pale green suggests the melon was picked before it was fully mature.
The sound the watermelon makes when tapped can also signal its ripeness. A ripe melon should produce a deep, hollow sound when you thump it with your knuckles. An immature melon will have a higher-pitched sound, while an overripe one may sound like a dull thud. This test helps gauge the integrity of the flesh.
Weight is another useful factor to consider. A good watermelon should feel heavy for its size, which indicates that it is full of water. If you are choosing between two melons of the same size, the heavier one is often the better choice. The overall appearance of the rind provides clues as well. A ripe watermelon has a dull or matte finish rather than a shiny one, as a shiny surface can mean the melon is underripe.
Common Watermelon Varieties
While many people are familiar with the classic oblong, striped watermelon with red flesh and black seeds, numerous other types are available. Watermelons are often categorized by characteristics like size, shape, and whether they are seeded or seedless. Seedless varieties, which are the result of hybridization, have become increasingly popular. These contain small, edible white seed coats that did not fully mature.
The flesh of a watermelon is not always red, as varieties that lack lycopene can have yellow or orange flesh. These yellow and orange varieties can be seeded or seedless and are often described as being particularly sweet. Cultivars such as the ‘Crimson Sweet’ are well-known traditional types, while smaller “icebox” or “mini” watermelons are bred to be a more convenient size for individuals or small families.