Watermelon

What gives it its taste and how to recognise it

• appropriate choice of variety to suit the soil and climate
• planted well apart from each other
• field temperatures high on average (temperature range of 12 – 32°C)
• no sudden changes in temperature
• sugar content of above 16° Brix
• stem near dry and free of hair on picking
• thin shiny glaze on the outer surface of the fruit.

Nutritional and nutraceutical value

• energy content: 30 Kcal/100g;
• rich in: vitamin A and B vitamins, calcium, minerals, carotenoids and lycopene;
• benefits: helps lower LDL cholesterol (the so-called bad cholesterol) and prevent colon cancer.