Fun Facts About WATERMELON

Watermelons are related to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash!

The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred in Egypt approximately 5,000 years ago. We know about it because it is depicted in hieroglyphics on the walls of their ancient buildings. Watermelons were often placed in the burial tombs of kings with the intent to provide them with nourishment in the afterlife.

The origin of the name watermelon is due to the fact that the fruit is 92% water, and the word "watermelon" first appeared in the English dictionary in 1615. Historically, watermelons were often used as canteens by early explorers and travelers.

Both the flesh and the rind of the watermelon are edible. “American Cookery,” the first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1796, contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.

A watermelon takes about 90 days to grow, from planting to harvesting. According to Guinness World Records, the world's heaviest watermelon weighed in at 350.5 lbs. and was grown by Chris Kent of Sevierville, Tennessee in 2013.

Americans consume more watermelons than any other country. There are more than 100,000 acres of watermelons grown in the U.S., producing more than 40 million pounds per year. Japan has grown cube-shaped watermelons for decades by growing them in crates. They now grow them in other shapes like hearts and even human faces. Anyone want a melon collie?!

Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide, with more than 300 varieties cultivated in the United States and South America. The most common types of watermelon are seeded, seedless, icebox, and yellow/orange.

Why did the cantaloupe jump into the pool?

It wanted to be a water-melon.