Watermelon is a berry or a fruit - that's the question?

Summer treat

Probably, there is no such person who does not like watermelon. Every year we wait for the end of summer to enjoy the tender and sweet red pulp of this melon plant. Even at school we were taught that a watermelon is a berry. But is it? Let's see, watermelon is a berry or a fruit? In nature there are three kinds of this plant:

- Wild watermelons (Citrullus colocynthis). This grade of melons is found naturally in the deserts of Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, Australia and Africa.

- Stern watermelon (Citrullus colocynthoides).

- Table (Citrullus vulgaris).

A bit of history

According to scientists, watermelon came to us from Africa, namely - from Egypt. This was proved by the finds of archaeologists. In many of the tombs the seeds of this plant were found, even on the painted walls were found drawings of melons, which we are so familiar with. But then, probably, no one cares, watermelon - this is a berry or not. Already from Egypt this plant has got to Asia and, thanks to the crusades, to Europe. Well, and on the territory of Rus watermelons came with the troops of the Tatar-Mongol horde. And it's not always caught on, and the whole point is that this plant is very thermophilic, and for its ovary and further growth you need a high air temperature.

Watermelon - a berry or a fruit?

Still, the question arose about the watermelon: is it a berry or a fruit? So let's deal with it. This plant belongs to the family of pumpkin, and the fruit has a small similarity with the fruits of pumpkin. Proceeding from this, it can be argued that watermelon is a berry. The modern name of this fruit came from the Iranian word "harbuza", which is translated differently - a large cucumber or melon. And as a result, we can conclude and give the answer to the question "Watermelon is a berry or a fruit?": "A fruit of a watermelon is considered a false berry or a squash that has a soft and juicy pulp with a lot of small seeds and a hard peel."

Choose a watermelon

When choosing, you need to know some tricks. Let's study them. When you start choosing a watermelon, give preference to the fruit that will have the most intense striped color. This is the first indicator that the fetus has matured completely. Also, the maturity can be judged by the yellowish spot below the watermelon, that is, the part that touched the ground. Another option: when you press the hands on the watermelon on both sides with full ripeness of the fruit should be heard crackling. This means that the watermelon will be 100% ripe.

Invisible danger

Do not give in to temptation and buy the first watermelons that enter the markets in early July. They can be dangerous to your health, as for rapid maturation, melons are processed with all sorts of chemicals, and then they are concentrated in the pulp of watermelon. Also, you must be extremely careful when choosing and carefully viewing the surface of the fruit, so that it does not have any scratches or dents. And if possible, do not cut the triangle for the sample. The whole point is that watermelon refers to products that quickly deteriorate. And at the slightest damage it is possible to get bacteria. And this, too, may end badly for you.

Perhaps now the readers will not have a question: "Watermelon is a berry or a fruit?". The most important thing is that you get pleasure from juicy pulp. Bon Appetit.