Watermelon is one of those refreshing fruits that come to our rescue when faced with the sweltering heat of summer. But do you know watermelon having a reddish-brown color is not custom? It has other variants of color ranging from yellow to orange, and they have been around for a very long time compared to the regular watermelon found in stores.
You may have come across this seasonal fruit in the grocery store or heard of people talking about eating yellow watermelon but you’re scared of trying it out because you don’t know how this variant would taste? This article would provide you with information on how it tastes and how you can eat it.
What does yellow watermelon taste like? Yellow watermelon tastes like your custom reddish-brown watermelon but with an enhanced taste. It has a sweet, vegetal, and honey-like taste with a thicker rind when compared to its red counterpart. Its taste is similar to that of apricot.
Yellow watermelon has a mildly soft texture and skin that makes biting into a slice worthwhile. It has a chewy bite accompanied by a little moisture content. You would find the seedless and seeded variety of this fruit very enticing.
Yellow watermelon got its signature color from the absence of lycopene that prevents them from getting the reddish-pink color. It is widely available and a fun alternative to your custom watermelons. Pick up a yellow watermelon on your next visit to the grocery store and try it out. You’ll be glad you did.
Nutritional Benefits of Yellow Watermelon
This variant of watermelon is distinct when we talk about what it has to offer medically and nutritionally. It contains a high amount of vitamin A and carotenoids that help avoid the risk of various eye diseases and enhances human eye health. Consuming it regularly provides the body with constant vitamin C which aids the slowing down of occurrence of cataracts in the eye.
It promotes healthy food digestion. Thanks to the high water content and fiber-richness of the fruit, the stomach is always cooled off and food digestion is made easy. It also helps prevent ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract.
Yellow watermelon also helps in weight management. Its water content and fiber ensure the stomach feels full for a very long time without having to consume a lot of calories and fat. It also has compounds like lycopene that help suppress the effect of adipose cells. Yellow watermelon is a great option to add to your diet if you want to maintain and keep your weight in check!
In sport, athletes consider yellow watermelon juice an ideal drink. This is because it contains a large amount of citrulline which helps to improve blood circulation. Efficient blood circulation is significant in relieving muscle soreness, post-exercise muscle fatigue, and keeping the body energized.
Carotenoids, the compound responsible for the distinct yellow color of the fruit is effective in combating and preventing the human body from the risk of chronic disease like cancer. Vitamin B6 in yellow watermelon also helps in breaking down protein so that it can be easily absorbed and utilized by the body.
Culinary Uses of Yellow Watermelon
Yellow watermelon is mostly eaten on its own as an appetizer or supplement after the main dish. It can be sliced, cubed, quartered, scooped to form balls, or blended to make juice. You can add it to a variety of finely diced fruits in your fruit salad and parfait.
You can also blend it with other fruits to make smoothies, mix it with a cocktail or combine it into shaved ice. Deviating from the normal way of eating yellow watermelon, you can grill or char the surface in a hot pan to caramelize the surface. It can also be blended and used to flavor jam, sorbet, juice, salsa, and wine.
The seed of the fruit can also be eaten to satisfy our dietary needs. It can be roasted, salted, and ground into fine powder into a type of cereal. This cereal can be used to make bread. The fruit’s rind can be candied or marinated.
Also, the seasonal fruit pairs well with herbs and vegetables like basil, cilantro, peanuts, and parsley. It also goes well with coconut, tomatoes, cucumber, ginger, citrus, strawberries, mozzarella, and cheese.
Where is Yellow Watermelon Grown? How Do You Procure It?
Yellow watermelon’s germination is favored by the hot season and well-drained soil with a high organic matter content. The fruit is native to Africa and has been cultivated for over 5,000 years.
The original varieties lacked the sweet and high sugar content before it was scientifically bred for a sweet flavor. It is often called desert king in Africa because of its high water content and growth in arid and hot climates.
Over the years, the demand for yellow watermelon has skyrocketed because it is considered a special variety in grocery stores and local farmers’ markets in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. People that wish to grow the fruit in regions where the climate isn’t pleasing plant genetically improved seeds. It is also grown in home gardens in Mexico and South California.
After purchasing the fruit from a grocery store, place it in a freezer and allow it to freeze to get a satisfying taste. You can also freeze leftovers to keep from spoiling and to maintain sweetness.
How Can You Tell When a Yellow Watermelon is Ripe?
Ripe yellow watermelon is characterized by a heavyweight, and a patch of creamy white or yellow rind on the underside. The underside is known as a field or ground spot and has a colored patch because it is the only part of the melon that is not exposed to sunlight while germinating.
Facts You Didn’t Know About Yellow Watermelon
- It is botanically classified as Citrullus lanatus. It is a naturally occurring variety of watermelon belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family
- The yellow-colored fruit is believed to be the oldest type of watermelon whose origin can be traced to Africa.
- During germination, the fruit needs plenty of space of about 152cm to spread and to avoid overhead watering.