Story of watermelon – the ultimate summer delight

That the sweet and plump watermelon is best friends with the sweltering summer days is no big secret. Biting into the juicy watermelon bits that is mixed with ice and sugar, during a hot day, is the best sensation.

Some food historians say that the watermelon has its origins in South Africa. However, some others contended that watermelon originated close to the equator in Africa. This debate was put to rest after a DNA test was done on the good old watermelon to prove its origins. The chloroplast DNA test revealed that the watermelon originated from a wild pumpkin that is seen in Namibia.

Historians say that watermelon had been consumed as a refreshing food item since BC 2000. Watermelon seeds too were buried along with the Mummy of Tutankhamen, the great Egyptian pharaoh.

The Bible too mentions that the Israeli people had buried the watermelon seeds in Egypt. By 10 AD, watermelon travelled to China followed by Europe in 13 AD. It was around this time that watermelon cultivation began in India too.

Interestingly, the most favourite past time for the Vietnamese people, to do on a New Year’s morning, is to snack on roasted watermelon seeds. On 17 April 2007, Oklahoma in the United States declared watermelon as their national vegetable. However, it created an uproar in the state senate. Meanwhile, the common people couldn’t help but wonder whether their state is run by those who have no idea whether watermelon is a fruit or a vegetable.