Here are some tasty facts about these colorful, summertime treats:
- Melon is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Its closest relatives are squashes and cucumbers.
- Watermelon contains more than 92% of water.
- Melons originate from Africa and southwestern parts of Asia abut ancient Egyptians have been cultivated melons 2000 years BC.
- After they become widely spread and popular in Europe, melons were introduced to America by the Spanish settlers during the 15th and 16th century.
- Melons have high nutritional value. They are rich source of vitamin C, vitamins of the B group, and minerals such as potassium, manganese, iron and phosphorus
- Largest recorded watermelon had 262 pounds of weight.
- The cantaloupe was first cultivated in the 1700s, in the Italian papal village of Cantalup.
- 25% of globally consumed melons originate from China. It produces over 8 million tons of melons each year.
For more on this fruit: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19981731/melon-nutrition/