watermelon = manna

With the dog days of summer upon us, the pink fleshy fruit of the Citrullus lanatus plant is the refreshment of choice for anyone needing to cool down. But what do you really know about this yummy snack? Here are some fun facts, care of Wikipedia and the National Watermelon Promotion Board!

• Only 8 percent of a watermelon is not water.


• The largest recorded watermelon ever grown was 262 lbs!


• Over 70 percent of the world's watermelons are grown in China.


• There are about 1,200 varieties of watermelon, with flesh colors ranging from pink to red to yellow to orange.


• Despite technically being a fruit, the watermelon is the state vegetable of Oklahoma.


• The watermelon is believed to have originated in the Kalahari Desert in Africa.


• Watermelon rinds are edible. In certain countries, they are stir-fried, stewed, or pickled.


• Cube- and pyramid-shaped watermelons can be produced by growing the plants in shaped glass containers.


• All watermelon plants need to be pollinated by honeybees to produce a fruit.


• You can compete in watermelon seed spitting at the Redneck Games, held each summer in East Dublin, Georgia.


• Speaking of said seeds, a watermelon will not grow in your stomach if you eat them. In fact, watermelon seeds are a popular snack in many countries! ∞