Description and characteristics of yellow watermelons

Green striped watermelon with sweet flesh is one of the most popular summer delicacies. But did you know that its color is not limited to the usual hot pink? Recently, yellow watermelons have become increasingly popular.

Yellow watermelons are often superior to red ones in terms of fruit health and variety of tastes. Among them there are even varieties with the flavor of other fruits and vegetables. Read on to learn why the watermelon turned yellow, how it differs from red, and how to choose the right one.

Origin of yellow watermelon

Externally, a yellow watermelon is no different from its red relatives. These are medium-sized berries, weighing no more than 8 kg. The fruits are both round and elongated, and the peel is most often light green with contrasting dark stripes. But the flesh of these watermelons is a rich golden, sometimes peach color.

Many people assume that the ancestor of the yellow variety is a watermelon crossed with a melon, but this is not so. Such breeders managed to achieve an unusual shade of pulp by crossing cultivated red watermelon with wild African one.

This is interesting. The ancestor of modern watermelons is completely different from the berries we are used to. Its fruits were small, had yellow flesh, and were either tasteless or piercingly bitter.

Yellow watermelons have a high sugar content, which is why they are sweeter than red ones.. Some varieties contain 10-12% sugar, which is why they have a honey-like taste.

Differences between red and yellow watermelons

The main distinguishing feature of yellow watermelons is the color of their flesh.. But besides this, they also have a number of characteristic features that are not found in the varieties we are used to.

This is interesting. Yellow watermelon has become very popular in Thailand because, according to Thai superstition, the color gold attracts money.

The size of these berries is much smaller than red ones. They rarely reach a weight of more than 7 kg. For some varieties of red watermelons (for example, Kholodok), a weight of 10–13 kg is not the limit.

Yellow watermelons have a much wider variety of flavors than red ones.. Varieties can have peach, pumpkin, pineapple, and even hints of mango. Also, different varieties vary in sugar content, so they vary in sweetness. At the same time, there are significantly fewer yellow varieties than red ones.

Another valuable feature for amateurs is a small number of seeds in yellow watermelons. Some varieties do not have them at all.

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Properties and composition of yellow watermelons

100 g of the pulp of this berry contains:

• calories - 38 kcal;
• proteins - 0.6 g;
• fat - 0.1 g;
• carbohydrates - 6.2 g;
• ash - 0.4 g;
• fiber - 0.4 g;
• water - 92.3 g.

Many It is a mistaken belief that watermelons consist solely of water and sugar.. But that's not true. Despite the fact that the pulp actually consists of as much as 92% water, it contains many substances that are important for the normal functioning of our body.

Vitamins:

• PP - 0.2 mg;
• E - 0.1 mg;
• C - 7 mg;
• B9 - 8 mcg;
• B6 - 0.09 mg;
• B5 - 0.2 mg;
• B2 - 0.06 mg;
• B1 - 0.04 mg;
• A - 17 mcg;
• beta-carotene - 0.1 mg;
• B3, PP - 0.3 mg;

Macro- and microelements:

• phosphorus - 14 mg;
• potassium - 110 mg;
• sodium - 16 mg;
• magnesium - 12 mg;
• calcium - 14 mg.
• iron - 1 mg.

Beneficial features

Vitamin A good for the eyes. It helps prevent vision problems.

Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, improves immunity and helps protect the body from infections.

Calcium strengthens bones and nails, makes hair shiny and beautiful.

Iron, magnesium and potassium improve blood functions and increase the strength of blood vessels, which is important for people suffering from anemia and anemia.

Fiber contained in the pulp improves the functioning of the digestive system, promotes better digestion of food. It also removes toxins and excess fluid.

Yellow watermelon contains no fat or cholesterol, making this product not dangerous to blood vessels. Therefore, people suffering from atherosclerosis and high cholesterol levels can consume it without fear.

Low-calorie and high-water pulp perfect for those who sit dieting. It satisfies appetite well and has a diuretic effect.

Important! You cannot stick to a watermelon mono-diet for more than two days. To achieve the desired effect, nutritionists advise repeating it regularly, taking breaks of 4-5 days.

Folic acid is involved in protein synthesis, performs a hematopoietic function, improves the functioning of the nervous system. It is especially useful for the female body.

Contraindications

The benefits of yellow watermelons are undeniable, but, unfortunately, they also have contraindications. There are a number of diseases for which its use is undesirable or completely prohibited:

1. Insatiable consumption of yellow berries is fraught with intestinal problems.
2. The glycemic index of watermelon is very high - 72. It contains a number of easily digestible sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose), so people with diabetes are not recommended to consume it.
3. Due to the large amount of water, watermelon can be harmful to people with kidney disease as it increases the load on them.
4. Some components of watermelon can provoke an allergic reaction, which manifests itself some time after consumption. This pause is caused by the fact that the substances need time to be digested. The most common manifestations of allergies are rhinitis, pain and pain in the throat, difficulty breathing (including the risk of angioedema), redness of the eyes, lacrimation, rashes, itching, swelling of the mucous membranes and soft tissues, pain in the abdomen, bloating, spasms and pain, nausea and diarrhea.

If you notice these symptoms, you should stop eating watermelon., it is advisable to consult an allergist.

Most popular varieties

Yellow watermelon has recently appeared on the world market, but even now there are many varieties of this berry. They can be purchased at gardening stores. Yellow watermelons, along with red ones, are successfully grown in melon fields by amateur gardeners both in Russia and abroad:

1. Lunar F1. This is the most famous and popular type of yellow watermelon in Russia. It has gained recognition due to its cold resistance. This hybrid can easily withstand minor cold snaps. The approximate ripening time is 70–75 days. Lunar has bright yellow, juicy flesh. Its characteristic feature is a pronounced mango flavor.
2. Golden Grace F1. The homeland of this hybrid is Holland. It is classified as mid-season, with an approximate ripening period of 75–82 days. Like Lunar, it tolerates frosts calmly. The fruits are quite large, can reach 8 kg. The pulp of Golden Grace is yellow, sugary, and the seeds, even when ripe, remain soft and translucent.
3. Yellow dragon. This is an early ripening variety, the approximate ripening period is 60–65 days. The fruits are medium in size, their weight usually does not exceed 4–6 kg. Their shape is slightly elongated, the skin is dark in color. The flesh of the Yellow Dragon is yellow-orange in color and has a honey flavor.
4. Prince Hamlet F1. This hybrid was bred in Russia. It is also an early ripening variety - it takes no more than 70 days for the fruit to ripen. Its fruits are round in shape and weigh about 2 kg. The peel is thin, light green, with dark stripes. The pulp is lemon yellow and sweet. It tastes a little like pineapple.
5. Janosik (on the picture). This is a mid-season variety, ripening in approximately 75–80 days. Its fruits are slightly elongated, their weight usually does not exceed 3–6 kg. The peel of Janosik is bright green, the stripes on it are almost invisible. The pulp is juicy, its taste is honey, with a small number of seeds. Watermelon of this variety is suitable for long-term storage, and at the same time it does not lose its taste.
6. Imbar F1. This hybrid was bred in Israel. It is an early ripening variety - the harvest can be obtained in 50–55 days. The fruits of this watermelon are round and weigh on average 4–7 kg. The peel is dark green in color, with a glossy sheen. The pulp of Imbar is orange in color, crispy and sweet, without seeds.
7. Primagold F1. This is an extremely early hybrid that needs only 40–45 days to ripen. Moreover, its fruits are by no means small - their weight is about 4 kg. Primagold berries are round, the skin is green, with thin dark stripes. The pulp is bright yellow, crispy and sweet (10–12% sugar), it contains few seeds.
8. Peach. The homeland of this variety is the USA. It is classified as mid-season, ripening time is about 90 days. The fruits are quite large, average weight is about 5–6 kg, elongated in shape.Peach's pulp is orange, with a pinkish tint, and has a delicate taste, which contains peach notes.
9. Yellow dollars. This variety was bred in Thailand and is a mid-season variety. Ripening time is 68–70 days. The fruits weigh on average 3 kg, their shape is slightly elongated. The rind is light green in color, with thin dark stripes. The pulp is bright yellow, with a strong honey flavor, and contains small seeds. The main feature of the variety is its thin and edible peel.
10. Kavbuz F1. Breeders from Ukraine have developed an unusual yellow watermelon hybrid that tastes like pumpkin. The peculiarity is that it is not consumed raw.

Selection of yellow watermelon

Yellow watermelons ripen earlier than red ones, so they appear on sale at the beginning of summer. They are quite often imported from hot countries, where they ripen much earlier than July-August.

Reference. Yellow watermelon is not a cheap delicacy: the cost of such berries is approximately 2-3 times higher than that of their red counterparts.

Choosing a yellow watermelon is quite easy. Its signs of ripeness are approximately the same as those of red. Pay attention to the size and weight of the berry - it should not exceed 2–6 kg. Also an indicator is the glossy shine of the peel, a dull sound when tapped and a quiet crunch when squeezed, a yellow melon spot and a dry, yellow tail.

Important! Watermelons do not ripen after they are picked.

When choosing, it is worth checking that the fruit does not have any mechanical damage.. Harmful substances from the air (for example, exhaust gases), mold and pathogenic bacteria penetrate into the pulp through cracks and scratches. If the berry was damaged while still in the melon patch, there is a risk that it was contaminated with pesticides that are used to treat the beds to combat insects.

Yellowness in the pulp of red watermelons

Often, in an ordinary green berry, the flesh may be yellowish or orange. Most often, a watermelon with yellowness inside indicates that it is unripe or contains an unacceptable amount of nitrates.

To increase yields and accelerate plant growth, unscrupulous gardeners flood fields with nitrogen fertilizers, the elements of which accumulate in the fruits. Once in the human body, they can cause severe poisoning.

Sometimes on the shelves there are watermelons with an unusual yellow rind. This is by no means a sign of an abundance of nitrates. Most likely, this is a rare variety of yellow watermelon with red flesh.

Signs of nitrate watermelon

It is not recommended to choose large fruits. This means that the plant is oversaturated with fertilizers. If in doubt, you should ask the seller for a conclusion from the SES (sanitary and epidemiological service). Products offered for sale must be tested.

After purchasing, carefully examine the pulp. If it is whitish or has yellow or white veins (less often - light spots), as well as cavities, then nitrite content in berries it is definitely exceeded. Another sign of nitrate is pale and small bones. In ripe berries they should be brown.

If the watermelon is yellowish inside, it may also mean that it is simply not ripe.. In this case, you should not eat it, since unripe fruits can cause an eating disorder. There is no point in leaving such a watermelon in the hope that it will “arrive.” These berries can only ripen on melon fields.

Conclusion

Yellow watermelon is not only an interesting and exotic delicacy, but also a healthy product. Its sweet taste will delight both children and adults, and its juicy pulp will perfectly quench thirst in the summer heat.But at the same time, we must not forget about contraindications and moderation in consuming this berry in order to avoid possible unpleasant consequences.

Choosing the right yellow watermelon and following simple nutritional rules will allow you to get maximum pleasure and reveal all the benefits of this wonderful product.