Yes! Watermelon has its own big day. August 3rd is National Watermelon Day. Sweet, drippy, juicy watermelons are one of summer’s favorite fruit, although horticulturists consider them a vegetable!
Some more mouth watering facts:
- This heavy hitting fruit is the standard fare at picnics.
- Watermelon is over 90% water. So much so, that in ancient times, travelers carried them as a source of water!
- This summer fruit comes from the gourd family, known for their hard green rinds and red, sweet and watery pulp.
- Watermelons naturally have no fat or cholesterol, and they are great sources of nutrients including vitamin A, B6, C and potassium. There’s also a bit of fiber in a cup of watermelon. Watermelon also packs a wallop when it comes to the antioxidant lycopene, which is only found in a few red plant foods and may help prevent certain cancers.
So stop by your neighborhood grocery store, or any farmer’s markets (like Reading Terminal in Chinatown) for one of the personal size melons or for a giant sized treat.
Enjoy National Watermelon Day!!
