Watermelons are actually berries!
Botanically, that is. Watermelons are rather loosely defined as melons, which is to say we call them melons. They’re actually (scientifically and botanically) classified as a type of berry – a berry called a pepo. But if you’re from Oklahoma, you likely don’t consider it a fruit at all, as the watermelon is the official Oklahoma state vegetable!
Origin of the Humble Watermelon
Call it what you will, watermelons originated in southern Africa but eventually made their way around the world. In America, it’s usually eaten cold as a sweet snack. In China, the seeds are eaten as a snack, and the rind is cut up like a vegetable and put into stir-fries and stews. In Japan “cubic watermelons” have become a bit of a novelty. The watermelon is grown in a glass box and the fruit takes the shape of the box! Today, watermelon are grown in almost 100 countries.
Seeded or Seedless?
Well duh, we all want the seedless watermelon unless we want to spit seeds at our annoying little brother. The growers all know this, so about 90% of watermelons grown today for US consumption are seedless. The seedless watermelon was developed by Professor H. Kihara, a Japanese scientist at Kyoto University, in 1939 though they didn’t get to commercial markets until the 1950s and didn’t become the dominant type until the 1970s. A seedless watermelon is created by crossing male pollen for a watermelon containing 22 chromosomes per cell with a female watermelon flower that has been altered to have 44 chromosomes per cell. This produces a fruit with 33 chromosomes which is sterile and doesn’t produce seeds. The thing to know is that this is NOT a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). It is just a hybrid.
Varieties of Watermelon
We are going to run through 33 popular watermelon cultivars. There are over 1,200 varieties worldwide, but we want to hit on those you are most likely to find at the grocery, farmer’s market, or perhaps a good international market. We will include a photo to help you visualize each type and we will try to give you an idea of the typical size each melon grows to. For reference, the average watermelon weight is about 20 pounds.
Allsweet Watermelon
Origin: The allsweet, also known as the sugar baby allsweet, is a 20th-century hybrid watermelon. It is a fairly large melon, typically weighing 15-25 pounds, but growing to as much as 30 pounds. Appearance & Taste: It is known for its deep red flesh and thin striped green rind. It is a juicy and crisp melon with a high sugar content.
Belmont Watermelon
Origin: The Belmont watermelon is a popular variety named after Belmont County Ohio, where it was first cultivated. It is a large (20-30 pound), oblong melon with a thick, dark green rind with faint stripes. Appearance & Taste: The flesh is typically bright red or pink, juicy, and crisp, with few if any seeds. It has a refreshing, sweet flavor that is often described as candy-like. This variety is favored by those who enjoy indulging in a sweet, succulent watermelon. I believe that is most of us!
Black Diamond Watermelon
Origin: The Black Diamond watermelon is believed to have originated somewhere in the southern United States in the early 20th century. Appearance & Taste: It typically features a dark green rind, sometimes almost black in color, with occasional stripes or spots. The flesh is usually deep red and exceptionally juicy. This super sweet melon typically weighs between 15 and a whopping 50 pounds
Bush Sugar Baby Watermelon
Origin: The Bush Sugar Baby is a compact (6-10 pound) variety that was developed specifically for smaller garden spaces and container gardening. Appearance & Taste: Bigger doesn’t mean better in this case because, as the name suggests, it is a sweet bright red fleshed watermelon you can enjoy on a hot day.
Carolina Cross Watermelon
Origin: This melon was developed in 1961 by a farmer named Charles Andrus in South Carolina, who named it after his state. Appearance & Taste: They are known for their massive size. They typically have oblong or oval shapes and can grow to enormous proportions, often weighing over 100 pounds with some coming in at 200. Not surprisingly, they are commonly featured in state fairs. The rind is thick and light green with darker green stripes, and the flesh is bright red and sweet.
Charleston Gray Watermelon
Origin: Developed by the USDA in the 1950s, Charleston Gray watermelons were bred in, wait for it…. Charleston, South Carolina. They were initially cultivated as a replacement for the vulnerable ‘Kleckley Sweet’ variety, and are known for their large, oblong shape with a light green rind featuring narrow dark green stripes. Appearance & Taste: They typically weigh 20 to 30 pounds, and have a crisp bright red flesh. They aren’t as sweet as many other varieties and are known for a thick rind. So, what do you do with a thick rind? How about a strawberry watermelon rind smoothie. You just have to trust us on this. The rind makes a great smoothie, is over the top in fiber, and has practically no calories.
Congo Watermelon
Origin: The Congo watermelon is believed to have originated in the Central African nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Appearance & Taste: They are typically large (20-30 pounds), oblong, have a thick, dark green rind and have faint stripes running along the surface. The flesh is deep red and very juicy, with black seeds scattered throughout.
Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon
Origin: Despite the Canadian name, this melon actually originated in Russia and was brought to Canada which has a similar climate and growing season. Appearance & Taste: It is unlike traditional watermelons as it has a pale, creamy yellow flesh. The rind is typically light green with darker green stripes. They tend to be medium-sized, weighing around 10 to 15 pounds This is a sweet melon often described as honey-like.
Crimson Sweet Watermelon
Origin: This melon was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to have a round shape with dark green stripes on a lighter green background. Appearance & Taste: The flesh is deep red and very juicy, with small, black seeds. They typically range from 15 to 25 pounds. As the name suggests, they are known for their excellent sweetness with hints of honey and an expectedly high sugar content. This is not a seedless melon, but it doesn’t have many.
Dixie Queen Watermelon
Origin: As the name suggests, this is a melon common in the Southern USA, often found in Texas and Louisiana. Appearance & Taste: They are typically round with a dark green rind, sometimes with lighter green mottling. The flesh is deep red, crisp, and very juicy, with a classic watermelon flavor that is both sweet and slightly tangy. They can grow to as much as 40 pounds but are more typically in the 15-30 pound range.
Extazy Watermelon
Origin: The Extazy watermelon is a seedless hybrid variety cultivated in California, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, and parts of Europe. Appearance & Taste: They are generally oval or elongated in shape, with a deep green rind that may have lighter green stripes. The flesh is a vibrant red color, juicy, and crisp. These watermelons are known for their exceptionally sweet flavor and refreshing taste. Most are between 10 & 20 pounds.
Golden Midget Watermelon
Origin: The Golden Midget was developed at the University of New Hampshire by Elwyn Meader and Alber Yeager in 1959. Appearance & Taste: They created a small round melon that typically weighs around 3 to 5 pounds with a vibrant golden-yellow rind with thin, dark green stripes. They are exceptionally sweet with a correspondingly high sugar content, making them a favorite among those who enjoy sweeter fruits. Golden Midget watermelons are seeded, containing mini black seeds scattered throughout the flesh. However, some hybrid varieties may offer seedless options.
Jubilee Watermelon
Origin: The Jubilee watermelon was developed at the University of Florida in 1963. Appearance & Taste: They are large, oval-shaped fruits, often reaching weights of 25 to 35 pounds, and have a thick, green rind with narrow dark green stripes. This is another juicy sweet melon, but is considered not overly sugary. While traditionally Jubilee watermelons were seeded, there are now seedless varieties available.
Little Baby Flower Watermelon
Origin: This small round melon is thought to have originated in China, but some evidence suggests it may have been first cultivated in Japan and spread to China. Appearance & Taste: At any rate, it is a cute little melon weighing around 2-4 pounds with a dark green rind and pink, crisp flesh with a high water content. This watermelon is popular due to its sweet flavorful taste. It is normally sold in a seedless variety.
Mickylee Watermelon
Appearance & Taste: This recently developed hybrid has an elongated shape and distinctive dark green rind with lighter green stripes. The flesh inside is typically deep red and very juicy, with a crisp texture. They generally weigh from 15 to 25 pounds, and are considered to be particularly sweet. Even seeded varieties have few seeds.
Moon and Stars Watermelon
Origin: Developed in the USA in the 1920s, the distinguishing feature of the Moon and Stars watermelon is its dark green rind speckled with small, yellow dots resembling stars, and occasionally, a larger yellow spot resembling a moon, hence its name. Appearance & Taste: The flesh inside can vary from deep red to pink and is typically very juicy. These watermelons can grow to 30 pounds, and are known for their sweet flavor with a hint of earthiness.
New Queen Watermelon
Appearance & Taste: This is a Japanese variety characterized by its small size (5-6 pounds), a round shape, and distinct light green rind with thin dark green stripes. The flesh inside is typically light orange bordering on yellow, crispy, and very sweet.
Orangeglo Watermelon
Origin: This is a hybrid variety that originated from a cross between an orange and a watermelon. Appearance & Taste: Orangeglo watermelons typically have a bright orange flesh with a green rind. They have a unique flavor that combines the sweetness of watermelon with a hint of citrus from the orange parent. They tend to be sweeter than regular watermelons due to the influence of the orange parent, but the sweetness level can vary. Despite one “parent” being the comparatively tiny orange, orangeglo’s can grow to as much as 30 pounds.
Pixie Watermelon
Appearance & Taste: Pixie watermelons are characterized by their petite size (4-6 pounds) and are round or slightly oblong in shape. They typically have a dark green rind with lighter green stripes. The flesh inside is deep red, sweet, and juicy.
Sangria Watermelon
Origin: Developed by Mr. T.V. Williams in 1985, this melon is known for its deep red flesh and dark green, striped rind. Appearance & Taste: They typically have a round to oval shape and are moderately large, ranging from 15 to 25 pounds. The flesh is juicy and crisp. As the name would suggest, these melons are sweet and slightly tangy
Secretariat Watermelon
Origin: The Secretariat is named after the famous racehorse and is a moderately large, elongated fruit with a distinctively striped dark green rind. Appearance & Taste: This seedless melon can weigh anywhere from 15-20 pounds or more. The flesh is typically deep red and exceptionally juicy, with a crisp texture. They are often described as incredibly sweet and flavorful, making them a popular choice for summertime snacking and desserts.
Starbrite Watermelon
Origin: Developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Starbrite watermelon is a hybrid variety bred for its exceptional taste, appearance, and a tough rind that withstands commercial shipping. Appearance & Taste: They typically have a vibrant red flesh with very few seeds and a dark green rind with narrow light green stripes. These melons typically grow to 20-30 pounds.
Starlight Watermelon
Origin: Like Starbrite, the Starlight watermelon is also a hybrid variety developed by the USDA. It was created with a focus on flavor and texture. Appearance & Taste: They typically have a deep red flesh that is exceptionally sweet and juicy, and are characterized by their smooth, dark green rind with thin, light green stripes. The melon was bred to have a high sugar content and intense sweetness.
Stars ‘n’ Stripes Watermelon
This watermelon is named for its resemblance to the stars and stripes of the American flag. It typically has alternating stripes of green and yellow, with occasional small, star-shaped spots on the rind. They are generally medium to large-sized fruits reaching as much as 30 pounds. Stars and stripes watermelons are known for their sweet and juicy flesh.
Sugar Baby Watermelon
Origin: Known for their compact size (8-12 pounds) and dark green, almost black, rind, they were developed in 1955 as icebox watermelons as they easily fit in your refrigerator. Appearance & Taste: They typically have a round to slightly oval shape and are seedless or contain few seeds. The flesh is deep red and very juicy. As the name suggests, sugar baby watermelons are exceptionally sweet.
Sweet Favorite Watermelon
Appearance & Taste: This melon has a vibrant green exterior with darker green stripes, often showcasing a perfectly round or slightly elongated shape. When you cut into it, you’ll find a luscious, bright red flesh that’s incredibly juicy and crisp. They generally range from medium to large, with some weighing up to 25 pounds or even more. As the name suggests, sweet favorite watermelons are wonderfully sweet.
Summer Flavor Watermelon
Appearance & Taste: This melon features juicy, crisp flesh that’s often a lighter shade of red, sometimes closer to pink. It can weigh anywhere from a few pounds to upwards of 20 pounds. While still notably sweet, this melon isn’t considered overly sugary.
Sweet Siberian Watermelon
Origin: This melon derives its name from its home of origin Siberia in Eastern Russia, and came to America around 1900. Not surprisingly, this is a watermelon that tolerates cold environments. Appearance & Taste: They have a dark green rind with lighter stripes running across them. The flesh is an unusual peach to yellow color. Perhaps apricot colored is the best description and typically weighs in between 5-10 pounds. They are known for their crisp texture and refreshing taste. Again, as the name suggests, they are quite sweet due to their sugar content, making them very enjoyable for those with a sweet tooth.
Tiger Doll Watermelon
Origin & Appearance: The Tiger Doll watermelon is a hybrid variety developed in Japan where its small size (4-8 pounds) is appreciated in the small Japanese gardens and kitchens. The “tiger” part of its name comes from its dark green stripes against a light green background. The “doll” part is a nod to its cute diminutive size. Taste: The flesh is typically red or pink and has a crisp, crunchy texture.
Top Gun Watermelon
Origin: This is a hybrid variety developed by the USDA-ARS (United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service). Appearance & Taste: It has a dark green rind with distinct stripes, and a deep red flesh weighing in between 20-25 pounds. This is yet another variety that is very sweet. You may have noticed that most of the watermelons we suggest in the article are quite sweet. Hey, who wants a sour melon?
Yellow Watermelon
Origin: Yellow watermelons aren’t a specific variety, but we include them as such because they are often an item of interest with watermelon enthusiasts. We believe they originated in Africa thousands of years ago and were introduced to the United States in the 1800s. Which is to say, they weren’t developed as a hybrid in a USDA lab or farm like so many others we have discussed. Appearance & Taste: They typically have a pale yellow to deep golden interior flesh. Their rind can vary from green with stripes to a more mottled appearance. Yellow watermelons tend to have a sweeter, milder flavor compared to red varieties, with a hint of honey-like sweetness. What is not to like about this fruit?
Yellow Baby Watermelon
Appearance & Taste: Yellow baby watermelons are a miniature variety of yellow watermelons, usually about the size of a large grapefruit or smaller (2-4 pounds). They have a light green to yellow rind and a pale yellow interior flesh. Like most yellow watermelons, they are quite sweet.
Yellow Doll Watermelon
Origin: Like the tiger doll melon, this fruit was developed in Japan where small hybrids of other melons are preferred in their small kitchens and gardens. Appearance & Taste: They are typically only 5-7 pounds and are rather unique in their bright yellow rind with thin green stripes. The flesh too is a vibrant yellow and is said to be slightly sweeter than most melons.
Where are Watermelons Grown?
China is the world’s leading producer of watermelons, by a LOT. Here are the leaving growers by volume:
China 79 million (m) tons annually Turkey 3.9m Iran 2.8m Brazil 2.1m Uzbekistan 2.0m Algeria 1.9m United States 1.8m Russia 1.7m Egypt 1.7m Mexico 1.2m Within the USA Florida is the leading producer followed by Georgia, California, and Texas.
With so many types of watermelons, we hope you found exactly what you were looking for! Do you have a favorite type of watermelon? Let us know what it is in the comments below!
