Picture this: you’re outside with your family or friends on a hot summer day. You might be at the beach or you might be in your own backyard. Maybe you’re even at an outdoor pool.
You’re looking for a refreshing snack to share and help everyone beat the heat. What do you decide to serve everyone?
We’d be willing to guess that one of the first things you thought of was the amazingly juicy watermelon. The large, green-striped fruit is a popular snack in hot weather, thanks to its high water content. We’ll be taking a look at where watermelons are grown here, as well as discussing other commonly asked questions about them.
Where are Watermelons Grown?
Top 5 Countries for Watermelon Production | Watermelon Produced Annually (Tons) |
|---|---|
China | 60.9 Million |
Turkey | 3.9 Million |
India | 2.5 Million |
Brazil | 2.3 Million |
Algeria | 2.2 Million |
Watermelons, like many other fruits, love tropical climates. They need temperatures greater than 77 degrees Fahrenheit to grow best, in addition to a well-draining sandy loam soil.
As far as world production goes, China, Turkey, and India grow the most watermelons. The United States also grows watermelons, although not to the same degree as the three aforementioned countries.
In the US, warmer states like California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas grow the most watermelons. These four states actually grow over half of all watermelons in the US.
Did you know that there are numerous different types of watermelons that each have their own flavor profile? You can learn about black watermelon in our guide to what black watermelon tastes like.
Watermelon FAQs
Do watermelons grow on trees?
There’s a common misconception out there that all fruits grow on trees, especially when they’re large. For instance, although pineapples actually grow from plants on the ground, most people can’t help but picture them hanging from a tree.
The same is also true for watermelons. It might be easy to imagine clusters of watermelons in palm trees, but these heavy fruits actually grow from vines on the ground. At least this means there isn’t a risk of them falling on your head like a coconut!
Which country has the sweetest watermelon?
One of the sweetest watermelons in the world is the legendary Bradford watermelon. Once grown in the southern United States, the Bradford watermelon was so irresistibly delicious that farmers had to put up traps to deter potential crooks from stealing them.
This watermelon’s juice is so sweet, that it used to be boiled down into molasses. To put it even further into perspective, consider its Brix – a rating of a melon’s sweetness – which is 12.5, where other melons tend to be closer to 10 on the scale.
The Bradford watermelon unfortunately faded into obscurity in the early 20th century because it’s extremely difficult to ship. However, there are recent efforts to grow this desirable watermelon again.
Read Also: What Does Yellow Watermelon Taste Like?
What’s the best month to buy watermelon?
Fruits have natural growing seasons in which they often taste the best. This is also true for watermelon. Not only will it be easier to find in your grocery store at certain times of the year, but it will also taste better when it is in season.
So, when is watermelon in season? Well, according to experts, the ideal time to grab yourself a watermelon at the grocery store is between May and September.
How can you tell if a watermelon is ready to eat?
Looking for watermelon at the right time is only half the battle. The other half is deciding which watermelon at the store is best for eating.
You’ll have to do a little work to pick the best watermelon in the bunch. The first part is easy: look for obvious signs of damage to the watermelon. Avoid the ones that have large cuts or dents.
Next, pick up the watermelons. Compare the way their weight feels in your hands. You’ll want the heaviest watermelon you can find.
The last step is searching for a field spot on your watermelon. This is a yellow spot that indicates to you that the watermelon reached ripeness in the sunlight.
Related Article: What Does BBQ Watermelon Taste Like?
Wrap Up
The next time it’s warm out and you need something tasty to quench your thirst, think about reaching for a watermelon. These delightfully juicy fruits are simply perfect for satisfying your thirst and being tasty, to boot.
If you want to see other fruits that could potentially keep you cool, check out our list of high water content fruits.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
