Why Watermelons Look Different in Old Paintings
Watermelons are one of the most beloved fruits in the world. Easy to grow, large in size, sweet, juicy, and mostly seedless, watermelon is a summer favorite for many. But did you know watermelons looked and tasted completely different than it does today?
Origins of Watermelon
The ancestor of the modern watermelon is probably the desert melon found in the southern African Kalahari desert. Desert melons look a lot like the watermelon we know on the outside, but they look and taste a lot different on the inside. Desert melons are bland, hard to chew, and sometimes even bitter. The inside is yellowish-white and full of seeds; the opposite of what we know as watermelon today.
The first people to grow watermelons were ancient Egyptians around 4,000 years ago. Despite the bad taste, they grew watermelons for their high water content. Watermelons were a great source of fresh water during the summertime and they could be stored in a cool location for several months. Watermelons were also found in the tombs of Pharaohs whom Egyptians believed would need hydration on their journey to the afterlife.
