NATIONAL WATERMELON DAY

National

day

WATERMELON! Who does not love eating cold sweet watermelon on a hot summer day?

Did you know that watermelon is 92% water? No wonder it’s so refreshing! People have been digging into this tasty, juicy fruit for millennia and it all started in Ancient Egypt. It’s said that watermelon cultivation began in the Nile Valley as early as the second millennium B.C. Watermelon seeds were even found in King Tut’s tomb! On August 3, we celebrate this ancient berry in a feast of juicy deliciousness— otherwise known as National Watermelon Day.

The juicy, refreshing watermelon deserves its own day, that’s why we celebrate National Watermelon Day. Cultivation of this fruit dates back to 2000 B.C., with the first watermelon harvest on record occurring approximately 5,000 years ago in Egypt. Traces of watermelon and its seeds have been discovered on sites of the 12th Egyptian Dynasty, including in the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Paintings of different types of watermelon have also been found in ancient Egyptian inscriptions.

The sweet fruit we enjoy today is the result of mutations over the course of a thousand years of cultivation. Watermelon seeds were sold to traders passing through the trade routes in the Kalahari Desert in Africa. From there, the cultivation of the watermelon spread across Africa. The origin of the progenitor of the watermelon was in Africa, after which it spread into Mediterranean countries and other parts of Europe. By the end of the ninth century, watermelon cultivation became common in China and the rest of Asia.

According to “The Dictionary of American Food and Drink” by John Mariani, the word ‘watermelon’ first appeared in the English dictionary in 1615. The watermelon is commonly known as a type of melon, but it is not in the genus Cucumis. The outer rind of a watermelon is dark green with yellow stripes or spots. Over 300 varieties of watermelon are available in the U.S., ranging from red to white, and come in different shapes and sizes.

Although watermelon is a tasty treat, it can be pretty disappointing to bring home a tasteless watermelon. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect watermelon.

The Stripes- The coloring of your watermelon helps indicate the ripeness of the fruit. You should pick a melon that has a strong, consistent stripe pattern. The green stripes should be a deep, dark green, while the pale stripes should be a creamy, light yellow. Additionally, you may want to choose a dull-looking watermelon. If the melon is very shiny, it is likely underripe.

The Field Spot- This is probably one of the most important indicators of the quality of the watermelon is the field spot of the melon. Look over your watermelon and look for a large, discolored spot on the surface, also known as the field spot. This marking shows where the watermelon sat on the ground as it ripened. As a rule of thumb, the color should be a creamy yellow or near orange, which indicates a melon full of flavor. If it's white or light yellow, you may want to choose another one. White field spots suggest that the watermelon lacks flavor. The Stem- In order to choose a watermelon that has had sufficient time to ripen and mature, you will want to inspect its stem which should be dry and yellow-brown. A green stem may signify that the watermelon is not yet ripe and will lack flavor and sweetness.

Knock- Don’t worry too much about the looks you may get from other shoppers while you are knocking on watermelon to find the best one. First, give your fruit a gentle tap and listen to the sound it makes. If the pitch sounds deep and hollow, the fruit has more water and is likely riper. By contrast, if your knock sounds higher-pitched and denser, it may signify that your rind is too thick and your fruit has not fully ripened to its optimal state.

Spots- Dry weathering spots and vein-like webbing lines are great indicators of an extra sweet watermelon. These spots show where sugar has been seeping out of the fruit. So many things to look for, make sure to fully inspect your watermelon.

Weight- Don’t settle for the first one you pick up. A watermelon should feel heavier than it looks. The denser it is for its size, the higher the water content, resulting in a sweeter watermelon.

Shape- Look for a watermelon that is rounder and more evenly shaped, as opposed to an oval one. The rounder melons are sweeter, while the more oval ones tend to be watery and less flavorful. Also, make sure to inspect the surface for any irregular lumps and steer clear of those as well.

Buying in season- Watermelons are best between May and September.

Health & Beauty

DIY FACE MASK WATERMELON BODY AND FACE SERUM

Watermelon- Watermelon is loaded with vitamin C, which instantly adds radiance to your skin. The grainy particles present in the fruit helps gently exfoliate the skin, while hydrating it as well. You can apply a spoonful of mashed watermelon to your skin, to naturally scrub off any dead skin cells present.

Raw Honey- Raw honey helps balance the bacteria on your skin, which makes it a great product to use for acne. Manuka honey has been studied as an anti-acne product and found to be significantly more effective than other popular products. Honey speeds up your skin cells' healing processes.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon of fresh watermelon 1 tablespoon of raw honey

DIRECTIONS

Mix the watermelon juice and honey together until well combined. Apply to clean, sunkissed areas. Let the serum really soak into the skin for about 20 minutes before rinsing with cool water.

OF THE MONTH

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