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  • watermelon facts - Italian Notes

Watermelon Facts and Trivia

Watermelon facts and trivia as a tribute to the farmers, farm workers and stall owners growing, harvesting, transporting and selling watermelons.

It’s time to celebrate the watermelon. Without this gigantic fruit people in south Italy would have to drink so much water, they’d slosh every time they moved.

We have every reason to be thankful to the farmers, farm workers and stall owners for the hard work of growing, harvesting, transporting and selling watermelons for the ridiculously low prices of 40 Euro cents per kilo. Here are some photos of the process along with 10 fun facts about watermelons.

watermelon facts and trivia

Farmers harvesting watermelon in the midday sun.

1. Origin

Watermelons have been harvested in Egypt for 5 000 years, and the fruit is depicted in hieroglyphics on walls of ancient buildings.

2. Varieties

According to Wikipedia there are more than 1200 varieties of watermelon.

3. Ingredients

A watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight

watermelon facts and trivia

The heavy fruits are thrown from hand to hand.

4. Size

Watermelons range in size from less than 1 to more than 100 kilos. The world’s largest watermelon was produced by the Lloyd Bright family from Hope in Arkansas in the summer of 2005. It weighed 268.8 pounds.

5. Shape

In Japan they’ve figured out a way to produce square watermelons in order to make them easier to store in the refrigerator

watermelon facts and trivia

It’s regular chainwork.

6. Weight

Ripe watermelons contain most water, so make sure to select a watermelon that’s relatively heavy for its size (if you can lift it).

7. Sound

Slap the big water melon with the palm of your hand. If it is ripe, it will make a hollow sound like tapping a water jug. An unripe watermelon will make a solid sound, like thumping a piece of wood, while a thick sound indicates overripeness.

watermelon facts and trivia

At the end of the day, the watermelons are sold for less than 40 Euro cents per kilo.

8. Smell

Follow your nose to the best cantaloupe melon. Sniff the blossom end opposite the stem to discover ripeness. A ripe cantaloupe will have a noticeable sweet smell.

9. Festivals

There are innumerable watermelon festivals all over Italy in summer. Watch out for posters announcing ‘Sagra’ or ‘Festa dell’Anguria’.

10. Uses

The rind of watermelon can be stewed or served as pickles. Seeds make cute bracelets and necklaces, and people with a talent for woodwork can make the most amazing and artistic watermelon carvings.

Other charts like watermelon facts and trivia

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13 replies
  1. Laurel
    Laurel says:
    July 23, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Very cool facts! I had no idea they were first found in Egypt!

    Reply
  2. Arianna
    Arianna says:
    July 23, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    Those are some fun facts! Very interesting and I love watermelon.
    My favorite recipe: spinach, feta and watermelon salad!

    Reply
  3. Steve
    Steve says:
    July 24, 2012 at 5:34 am

    Square watermelons sound like a brilliant idea to me. Not only would they store easier, but they’re probably a lot easier to cut as well. What I’d really like to see the Japanese engineer though is a watermelon with a little more sugar in it. Maybe more of a 50/50 ratio.

    Reply
  4. maq203
    maq203 says:
    July 25, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    Just discovered your blog and it’s making my desire to go back to Italy even stronger!! I’ll definitely be following you!

    Reply
  5. Christine
    Christine says:
    July 28, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    Those definitely are some fun facts. I was not aware of the square watermelons.

    Reply
  6. Terry at Overnight New York
    Terry at Overnight New York says:
    August 2, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    I love that sound a ripe watermelon makes when you slap it. It sounds like summer. But I had no idea watermelons date from the Egyptians. Nice item.

    Reply
  7. D.J. - The World of Deej
    D.J. - The World of Deej says:
    August 2, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    I can barley lift a watermelon, much less toss it!

    Reply
  8. Natalie
    Natalie says:
    August 3, 2012 at 3:29 am

    They are popular here in Turkey as well. End up eating that many of them, that I grow bored of the taste, until next summer! :)

    Reply
  9. Laurence
    Laurence says:
    August 3, 2012 at 9:56 am

    I love watermelon! Thanks for sharing these facts :)

    Reply
  10. Sophie
    Sophie says:
    August 4, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    Water melons are fantastic – the perfect dessert, really. Sweet and healthy!

    Reply
  11. Abby
    Abby says:
    August 8, 2012 at 6:47 am

    “It’s time to celebrate the watermelon” is the most fun, most summery thing I’ve heard this summer!

    Reply
  12. Stephanie - The Travel Chica
    Stephanie - The Travel Chica says:
    August 9, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    One of my favorite things about summer!

    Reply
  13. Turtle
    Turtle says:
    August 25, 2012 at 8:34 am

    I can’t believe how cheap watermelon is in Italy. Why do people ever eat anything else?? :)

    Reply

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