We’re wild for watermelons all summer long. Watermelons are found growing all over North Carolina, and we’re diving into some fun watermelon facts.
- Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
- The word “watermelon” first appeared in the English dictionary in 1615.
- More than 300 varieties of watermelon are cultivated in the United States and South America.
- The most common watermelon options are seeded, seedless, mini, yellow and orange.
- The first recorded watermelon harvest took place 5,000 years ago in Egypt and is depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics on the walls of their ancient buildings.
- Watermelons were often placed in the burial tombs of kings in ancient Egypt to nourish them in the afterlife.
- According to Guinness World Records, the world’s heaviest watermelon was grown by Chris Kent of Sevierville, Tennessee, in 2013, weighing 350.5 pounds.
- Watermelon is one of the most low-carb fruits available to eat.
- A one-cup serving of cubed melon is approximately 45 to 60 calories.
- Whole melons can be kept at room temperature for 7 to 10 days. They ripen a little after picking and begin to lose flavor and texture with longer storage.
- Cut watermelon can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.
