Watermelon Quarters 1.289kg Typically $4.39 Per Kilogram 1.289kg Typicall

Watermelon is a popular, refreshing fruit, especially in the summer. Here is some information about its nutrition, types, and how to pick a ripe one: ### Nutrition and Health Benefits Watermelon is: * **Highly Hydrating:** It is about 92% water, making it excellent for staying refreshed. * **Low in Calories:** One cup of diced watermelon contains around 46 calories. * **Rich in Nutrients:** It is a good source of: * **Lycopene:** A powerful antioxidant linked to a decreased risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and age-related eye disorders. Watermelon has more lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable, including tomatoes. * **Vitamin C:** Important for immune function and skin health. * **Vitamin A (from beta carotene):** Important for skin and eye health. * **Potassium:** Helpful in lowering blood pressure and important for nerve function. * **Citrulline:** An amino acid, most concentrated in the white rind, which your body converts to arginine, an amino acid that helps in nitric oxide synthesis, aiding in blood vessel relaxation and potentially lowering blood pressure. ### Types of Watermelon There are over 1,200 varieties of watermelon worldwide, categorized in several ways: * **By Size:** * **Picnic:** Large, traditional watermelons, often 20-40 pounds. (e.g., 'Jubilee', 'Carolina Cross') * **Icebox (or Cannonball):** Smaller, rounder melons, typically 5-15 pounds, perfect for a refrigerator. (e.g., 'Sugar Baby', 'Crimson Sweet') * **Mini (or Personal):** Small, individual-serving size, often seedless, usually 1-7 pounds. * **By Seeds:** * **Seeded:** Contains mature black seeds. * **Seedless:** Developed by crossing different varieties, resulting in sterile fruit with no mature seeds (it may contain small, edible white seed coats). * **By Flesh Color:** * The most common is **red or pink flesh**, but varieties with **yellow** or **orange** flesh also exist (e.g., 'Mountain Sweet Yellow', 'Orangeglo'). ### How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon Experts suggest a few key indicators: 1. **Field Spot (Yellow Belly):** Look for a large, creamy yellow or buttery-colored patch on the underside of the melon. This is where it rested on the ground and is a good sign it ripened on the vine. Avoid spots that are small or white. 2. **Weight:** The melon should feel **heavy for its size**, indicating a high water and juice content. 3. **Dull Skin:** The rind of a ripe melon is often **dull** or **matte**. A shiny rind can indicate it's underripe. 4. **The Knock Test:** Gently rap the melon with your knuckles. A ripe watermelon should produce a **deep, hollow sound** (some describe it as a 'thud'). A flat or dull sound may mean it's overripe.