What is a watermelon - a berry, a fruit, or is it a vegetable?

The birthplace of watermelon and its distribution

Scientists have proven that the ancestor of the watermelon is the wild colocynth, which is native to the Kalahari Desert (South Africa). A small plant with a powerful root system and bitter fruits served as a source of water for caravans. As a melon culture, watermelon was first cultivated by the ancient Egyptians (XX century BC). A little later, Ancient Rome learned about him. Sweet fruits came to China by the 10th century, where they gained insane popularity.

Russia got acquainted with the melon plant only by the 13th century. thanks to the Crusades. And by the end of the 17th century. sweet fruits were already delivered to the king's table. They were not eaten fresh, but spiced molasses were prepared from the pulp. Later, by decree of Tsar Peter I, it was ordered to sow melons and gourds in the Lower Volga region. For a long time, the peasants bred a variety that is resistant to the local climate, until the famous Astrakhan and Volgograd watermelons appeared as a result of selection.

Video "Useful properties of watermelon"

From this video you will learn what useful and harmful properties watermelon has.

Definitions and theories

To determine which category a watermelon belongs to, you must first consider each of them.

Berry

Botanical science defines a berry as a thin-skinned fruit with one or more seeds and a fleshy pulp. The only similarity of a watermelon with a similar description is that it is soft and juicy on the inside. Otherwise, the following differences can be called:

1. Thick rind. Ripe fruit cannot be eaten with the shell, like berries, since it contains substances harmful to the body.
2. The size. It is because of the large size that many find it difficult to classify melons and gourds in this category.
3. Method of use. Unlike berries, large fruits must be cut into pieces, since they cannot be eaten whole.

In botany, watermelon is called a false berry or pumpkin.

The fruit

Fruit is a juicy edible fruit that grows on a tree. From a household point of view, watermelon can be classified in this category based on some similarities:

• conformity in appearance and size;
• edibility;
• juicy pulp.

The only significant difference that does not speak in favor of pumpkin is the way it grows. Fruits do not tend to travel along the ground like melons and gourds.

Vegetable

In science, the term vegetable does not exist. Cooking where it is used defines it as an edible part of a plant or any solid plant food. Some encyclopedias classify absolutely all fruits that grow in the garden and are suitable for eating into this category. Based on similar characteristics, even apples or strawberries can be attributed to vegetables. That is why general parallels with the melon culture are rarely drawn.

Scientists are still debating whether the watermelon belongs to any one category. However, whatever it is called, the juicy, sweet fruit still remains a favorite summer delicacy for many.