Exploring the Global Journey of Watermelons: From Seed to Slice

Introduction

Watermelon is a tasty and refreshing fruit, loved in many countries for its juicy and sweet flesh. But do you know the watermelon tree? In reality, there is no tree per se, because the watermelon grows on a creeping plant which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. In this article, we will explore in detail the botany of this fascinating fruit, how it grows, its history as well as its various uses around the world.

Botany and cultivation of watermelon

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is part of the Cucurbitaceae family which also includes other fruits such as melons or cucumbers. This annual herbaceous plant produces large fruits whose weight can vary between 1 and 20 kg depending on the variety. The fruit shape is usually spherical or oval with thick dark green mottled or streaked skin.

To grow properly, watermelon requires a warm climate with temperatures between 25°C and 35°C for at least three consecutive months. The plants are sown directly in the ground when the risk of frost has passed. It takes about three months from sowing to fruit harvest.

To avoid exhaustion of the plant, farmers generally keep only three or four fruits per plant. This practice allows you to obtain larger and better quality watermelons. When the fruits are ripe, they are harvested by hand to avoid any risk of injury.

Square watermelons from Japan

An interesting feature in watermelon cultivation is that of square watermelons in Japan. To obtain this atypical shape, Japanese farmers place young fruits in glass or transparent plastic molds before they have reached their adult size. The watermelons then grow inside the mold and gradually take on a cubic shape. This ingenious process facilitates the transport and storage of fruits, but also their cutting and presentation on plates.

History of watermelon

Watermelon is native to southern Africa where it still grows wild in the form of small bitter berries called Tsamma. The first written records mentioning the cultivation of this fruit date back to around 5,000 BCE in Egypt, where it was appreciated for its refreshing and thirst-quenching qualities.

It was not until the 16th century that watermelon was introduced to Europe by Portuguese explorers who brought seeds from Africa. Quickly adopted in Mediterranean countries, watermelon then spread across the entire European continent and spread to America thanks to Spanish colonists.

Today, watermelon is grown in many countries around the world and is one of the favorite fruits of French consumers during the summer.

Various uses of watermelon around the world

Although mainly consumed for its juicy and sweet flesh, watermelon also has other interesting uses depending on the culture:

• In Egypt, farmers traditionally use the leaves and stems of the plant as fodder to feed their livestock.
• In Russia, some brewers incorporate watermelon juice into their craft beer recipes to give it an original and refreshing flavor.
• In Japan, in addition to its atypical square shape, watermelon is sometimes transformed into sorbet or jam after being pureed and mixed with sugar.
• In the USA, there are even specific varieties called “Sugar Baby” whose reduced size (between 1 and 3 kg) allows individual tasting without waste.

Watermelon on French stalls

In France, watermelon is mainly eaten fresh as a dessert or starter, but it can also be used in mixed salad recipes, smoothies or cocktails. There are several varieties of watermelons on French stalls, some of which are seedless to make them easier to eat.

In recent years, we have also observed the appearance of “organic” watermelons grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. These fruits are generally more expensive to purchase than conventional watermelons, but they offer an additional guarantee of their quality and respect for the environment.

Conclusion

Watermelon is a multifaceted fruit that offers much more than just a refreshing taste during the summer. Its cultivation and its various uses throughout the world testify to a constant interest in this fruit over the centuries and continents. Whether you prefer to savor it plain or cook it in original recipes, don’t hesitate to (re)discover the taste pleasures it has to offer!