Watermelon

Watermelons contain about 92% water - what is more refreshing in the summertime than a slice of sweet, fresh watermelon! They can be grown almost anywhere, and as our busy schedules require more convenience in the foods we purchase, the small personal/pureheart/icebox/bambito watermelons are becoming more and more popular. Less room is required for refrigerator storage prior to mealtime, and there is less waste due to the small size of this melon - the personal watermelons are seedless, and generally have minimal rind.

Watermelons have been around for a very long time - Egyptians were the first recorded growers of watermelons, and placed this fruit in the tombs of their kings as a means of providing nourishment for the afterlife. Watermelon fact: the largest fruit was grown in Tennessee recently, and weighed in at a whopping 262 pounds!

Watermelons contain lycopene (the red pigment found in plants - tomatoes, red grapefruit, watermelons), not, however, found in cherries or strawberries. Lycopene is a very strong anti-oxidant that helps in neutralizing many oxygen particles with one lycopene molecule. Through our breathing process, we take in oxygen, and create a single oxygen molecule as a byproduct. This molecule can cause cellular damage, and needs to be eliminated - thus the role of the anti-oxidant like lycopene, and vitamins C and E. The more fresh, uncontaminated fruits you eat, the less unhealthy foods you will eat!

How do you select the perfect watermelon? Look for bright, not dull, fruit that has a nice exterior color. The melon should be firm, not soft, and free of bruises and cuts, and should be heavy - if it is light, do not purchase it because this indicates dehydrated fruit. Ripe fruit should be a yellow color where the melon sat on the ground during the growing process, not green. Fortunately, the growers are the pros in determining when to harvest watermelons - the best indication is when the tendril attached to the watermelon begins to dry. Although holding a watermelon, and listening to the different sounds when "thumping" the fruit is a common way of checking for ripeness, this method has not proved to be accurate.

A 2-cup serving of watermelon contains about 80 calories, and is high in vitamins A and C. Watermelons are fat free, and contain about 40% more lycopene than tomatoes!

For a refreshing treat, enjoy a glass of fresh watermelon juice! Make ice cubes or popsicles out of fresh watermelon juice for a delightful treat for children on a hot summer day.

Note: You can plant watermelon seeds, and harvest the fruit in about 3 months!