🍉 Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
What it is
A big, round fruit with a green rind and sweet, watery red or pink fruit inside.
How it looks
Large and round or oval, with a green striped rind and juicy pink-red fruit inside.
Taste
Very sweet, cool, and so full of water it almost drips when you bite it.
Why it is healthy
Mostly water, so it keeps you cool and hydrated, plus vitamins A and C.
How to eat it
Eat it fresh in slices or cubes on a hot day, or blend it into a chilly drink.
How it grows
Grows on vines that spread along the ground in warm fields under the summer sun.
In season
At its best in the summer, when it is a favorite cool and juicy treat.
History
Watermelon first grew in Africa long ago and was carried to warm lands all over the world.
Fun fact
A watermelon is about 92 percent water, which is why it is so refreshing on a hot day.
Try this
Tap a watermelon gently; a deep, hollow sound often means it is ripe and ready to eat.