There are few foods that say summer quite like watermelon! Whether it’s served in big juicy wedges at a backyard barbecue, packed in a cooler for a day at the beach, or cut into cubes for a simple afternoon snack, watermelon seems to be made for those hot summer days. It’s a seasonal favorite that brings back summer memories, while helping us cool off at the same time.

I love watermelon and, after plenty of Googling, I’ve gotten much better at picking out good ones this summer! How about you? Are you a watermelon fan? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear from you. And if you have any tips for picking the perfect watermelon, please share them, too!

🍉Fun Facts about Watermelon

Check out these fun facts from watermelon.org. It’s always fun to learn some new and interesting facts!

– The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt.

– Watermelon’s official name is Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae. It is a cousin to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.

– More than 300 varieties of watermelon are cultivated in the United States and South America.

– A watermelon’s stripes are indicators of variety. Some watermelons don’t have stripes, and stripes don’t indicate ripeness.

– According to Guinness World Records, the world’s heaviest watermelon was grown by Chris Kent of Sevierville, Tennessee in 2013, weighing in at 350.5 lbs.

– The United States currently ranks 7th in worldwide production of watermelon. What country produces the most watermelon? China!

– The most common watermelon types are:

Seeded: The classic watermelon that comes in a wide range of sizes.

Seedless: Due to high demand, the majority of watermelon grown today are seedless.

Mini: Petite (or personal watermelons) are easy to handle and have thinner rinds which can mean more flesh per pound.

Yellow & Orange: These varieties lack the lycopene that gives red-fleshed watermelon its color.

🍉How to Pick the Best One

According to watermelon.org, try the look, lift, and turn method.

Look the watermelon over. Choose a firm watermelon that is free from bruises, cuts or dents. Scratches are ok.

Lift it up. The watermelon should be heavy for its size. Watermelon is 92% water.

Turn it over. The underside of the watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.

🛒For NCP Panel Members

If the watermelon you purchase has a UPC barcode, be sure to scan it. If the barcode won’t scan or there’s no barcode, go to the Non-Barcoded Items list in the NCPMobile app. Select Fruit, then Melon, and enter the purchase details. If you use NCP’s handheld scanner, refer to the Barcode Reference Booklet to report your purchase.

Its refreshing sweetness has earned watermelon its place as the ultimate fruit of summer. Just slice it up, find a shady spot and enjoy. And…don’t forget the napkins! ☀️🍉😎

Regards,
Taylor

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