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WaterMelon

Watermelon is an American preferred for meals and snacks. People can't get sufficient of the sweet treat, and nutritionists have long appreciated the health benefits watermelon provides. In recent research new light is found on its potential health benefits. Watermelon contains more lycopene, an antioxidant that may help to reduce the risks of cancer and other diseases.

Watermelon, the fruit which is really a Vegetable.Watermelon can be traced back to Africa and it is part of the cucumber and squash family. Early watermelons were mostly rind and seeds. Today's varieties are larger, the flesh is sweeter, the seeds are smaller and the rind is thinner. It is the most refreshing, thirst satisfying fruit of all. It consists of 92% water and 8% sugar, so it is appropriately named. Americans consume over 17 lbs of watermelon each year. The largest watermelon on world record (Guinness Book of World Records) weights 262 pounds.

Watermelons are mostly available throughout year. It is a perfect fruit to a salad, salsa, or cool drink.

There are over 50 varieties of watermelon. Most of it have reddish flesh, but there are orange and yellow-fleshed varieties also. Among the 50 varieties of watermelon, common in the United States are: Allsweet, Ice-Box, Seedless and Yellow Flesh.

20–25 pounds
Red Flesh
Oblong
Dark green rind, with or without stripes

Scientific Name for Watermelon:Citrullus Lanatus

Nutrition Information of Watermelon

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	30 Kcal	1.5%
Carbohydrates	7.6 g	6%
Protein	0.6 g	1%
Total Fat	0.15 g	0.5%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	0.4 g	1%
Vitamins
Folates	3 µg	1%
Niacin	0.178 mg	1%
Pantothenic acid	0.221 mg	4.5%
Pyridoxine	0.045 mg	3.5%
Thiamin	0.033 mg	3%
Vitamin A	569 IU	19%
Vitamin C	8.1 mg	13.5%
Vitamin E	0.05 mg	0.5%
Electrolytes
Sodium	1 mg	0%
Potassium	112 mg	2.5%
Minerals
Calcium	7 mg	0.7%
Copper	42 µg	4.5%
Iron	0.24 mg	3%
Magnesium	10 mg	2.5%
Manganese	0.038 mg	1.5%
Zinc	0.10 mg	1%

If picked earlier, watermelon will not ripen easily. If unripe, try putting the melon in a paper bag with un-refrigerated; this may sometimes works to ripen them. Watermelons can be preserved for short period of time, up to 2 weeks, uncut at room temperature. Wash watermelon with soap and water before cutting and once cut, pack the uneaten in closed plastic containers or bags and put back in the refrigerator.

SELECTING WATERMELON

Unlike other melon-types watermelon can't be chosen from its smell. The only way to pick a ripe watermelon at your store is to do the flat hand test: Tap the melon with flat hand. If the sound is deep and thick you probably have found a ripe and sweet fruit.

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