Water melon is a vine-like flowering plant that originated from Southern Africa. It has an edible
fruit also called
water melon, with a thick, smooth rind, usually green or yellow, and with a juicy, sweet interior flesh, usually red, with others in pink, orange and yellow colors. While it is found growing wild in Southern Africa, it is now grown commercially by farmers and farm entities in 44 states in the United States, and in other countries. Latest statistics show that the largest water melon producers in the U.S. are Georgia, Texas, Florida, Arizona and California. Combined with other countries, they produce more than 1200 varieties ranging in weight from a few pounds to over 200 pounds, and in shapes normally from round to oblong. The
square water melon called
cubic water melon grown in Zentsuji Region, Japan is considered as a rare shape but is appealing to customers and commands a price double that of the normal-size water melons.
The
seedless water melons are also a rare variety but are more expensive. The most expensive variety is the Densuke water melon in Japan’s Hokkaido Island. It has a black rind with no spots or stripes and sells at 25,000 yen (250 USD). The first harvested variety in 2008 sold at an auction for 650,000 yen (6,300 USD), making it the most expensive water melon variety ever sold throughout the world. The other known varieties include the (a) Carolina Cross, which holds the world record in weight at 262 pounds, (b) Yellow Crimson, which has a yellow colored flesh, and sweeter than the red flesh variety, (c) Orangeglo, which is oblong with a light green rind, (d) Moon and Stars, with a purple-black rind and pink and red flesh, and many yellow circles and one or two yellow circles on the rind, (e) Cream of Saskatchewan, with a thin light green rind and dark green stripes on it, said to be brought to Saskatchewan, Canada by Russian immigrants, and (f) Melitopolski, an early-ripening variety that abounds in Moscow, Russia during summer.
Water melons may not seem very appealing because of their shapes and sizes. Unknown to many people, however, they contain certain nutrients that are beneficial to the body or
health . By weight, a water melon contains 92% water and 6% sugar, and is a source of Vitamin C. It is said also to contain a significant amount of citrulline, an amino acid, and a stimulator of nitric acid. A nitric acid is known to relax and expand blood vessels, and helps correct many dysfunctions in the body. By percentage, a 100-gram water melon contains 10% of Vitamin C, 3% of magnesium, 2% each of phosphorus and potassium, and 1% each of calcium and zinc. Being mildly diuretic, it increases the flow if urine. It contains large amounts of beta carotene, and is a significant source of lycopene, which is said to contain
antioxidants and cancer-preventing properties. The rinds are also edible and contain many hidden nutrients when used as vegetable. In China, they are deskinned, pickled, stewed or stir-fried, or cooked with olive oil, garlic, sugar, chili peppers and rum.
Water melon has also found its cultural importance in many local governments. Among them is the Oklahoma State which has passed a bill declaring water melon as the official state vegetable. The Chinchilla town in Queensland, Australia also holds a bi-annual festival to celebrate everything about the water melon.
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