August 3rd – International Watermelon Day

On August 3rd, many countries around the world celebrate the delicious holiday – International Watermelon Day. Its history dates back to the USA, where it is celebrated as National Watermelon Day. The United States holds the top spot globally in terms of watermelon consumption. This sweet and tasty fruit (or more precisely, a berry) is as essential to summer picnics as the famous hot dog.

Watermelon is perfect for quenching thirst while being very low in calories, making it deserving of its own holiday. While it’s unclear who or when this holiday was established, it has maintained its popularity and continues to gain more supporters each year. Today, we can confidently say that this holiday is truly international.

According to reference books, the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), a one-year herbaceous plant, and belongs to the genus Citrullus. The watermelon rind can vary in color: from white and yellow to dark green with a net-like pattern, stripes, or spots. Its flesh can be pink, red, raspberry, and less commonly, white or yellow. Structurally, watermelon is considered a berry and is currently grown in 96 countries worldwide, with more than 1,200 varieties.

History of Watermelon

Historians believe the watermelon originated in Southern Africa. It is known that ancient Egyptians were familiar with and cultivated this plant, as confirmed by archaeologists. During the Middle Kingdom, around the 20th century BC, watermelons were often placed in the tombs of pharaohs as a food source for their afterlife.

Watermelon was also depicted on tomb walls and mentioned in ancient Egyptian myths and many medical recipes. It was known in ancient Rome, where it was consumed either fresh or pickled, and even made into honey.

By the 10th century, watermelon had reached China, brought there by merchant ships, where it quickly became highly valued (and to this day, China celebrates its own Watermelon Day). The Chinese also attributed significant medicinal properties to watermelon, believing it could “purify the body and expel illness when eaten regularly before meals.”

Today, watermelon is grown in nearly every country, with China leading production, followed by Turkey, Iran, Egypt, the Americas, as well as Russia and Uzbekistan. Japan, however, is unrivaled for having the most unusual watermelon varieties, including square watermelons, pyramid-shaped ones, those with yellow flesh, and tiny 10 cm diameter watermelons. Watermelons thrive in steppe and Mediterranean climates, with long hot dry summers and mild, short winters.

Benefits of Watermelon

It’s no secret that watermelons are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. They contain more than 90% water and about 6% sugar by weight. Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin A, a complex of B vitamins, vitamin C, and folic acid. It is also one of the leaders in lycopene content, a very powerful antioxidant. All these nutrients help strengthen the immune system and support normal nervous system function and the formation of red blood cells. Furthermore, the iron, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium salts in watermelon positively affect blood formation, digestion, cardiovascular health, and endocrine glands.

Watermelon is used in therapeutic diets for anemia, cardiovascular diseases, liver and urinary tract conditions. It has diuretic and choleretic effects, prevents the formation of gallstones, helps expel cholesterol from the body, and aids in controlling heart rate and regulating blood pressure.

Moreover, watermelon can be used to prepare a wide variety of dishes. While it is typically enjoyed fresh, it can also be used in desserts (such as fruit salads) and beverages, grilled, or even cooked. For example, in some regions, watermelon juice is simmered down to a syrupy consistency, creating “watermelon honey.” Even watermelon rinds don’t go to waste – they are used to make jams or pickles.

So, celebrate International Watermelon Day in a fun and delicious way!