The internet is full of fabulous facts about everything from current events to the history basket weaving and watermelon fun facts. As we research for our daily content on food trucks, food carts and street food, we stumble upon some items of knowledge that we just did not know.

We have decided when these fun facts pop up, that we would share them with our readers in our section titled “Did You Know?”

For today’s Did You Know we will look at Watermelon fun facts.

Watermelon Fun Facts: Watermelon is thought to have originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt and is depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics on walls of their ancient buildings. Watermelons were often placed in the burial tombs of kings to nourish them in the afterlife.

• About 200-300 varieties are grown in the U.S. and Mexico, although there are about 50 varieties that are very popular.
• Watermelon is 92% water.
• Watermelon’s official name is Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Curcurbitaceae. It is cousins to cucumbers,pumpkins and squash.
• By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.
• Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
• The first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1776 contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.
• In 1990, Bill Carson of Arrington, TN grew the largest watermelon at 262 pounds that is still on the record books (1998 ed. Guinness Book of World Records).

Key Date

• August 3rd is National Watermelon Day.

Fun Facts We May Have Missed

Let us know about any watermelon fun facts we missed. We always love to add to these lists. Share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section or our food truck forum. If we can verify the facts we will give the reader credit in the article.

Reference: Fun Facts about  Watermelon

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