Tag: Melon family

Did you know that watermelon is composed of more than 90% water? When searching for a similar refreshing and juicy experience, finding what fruit is equivalent to watermelon can depend on whether you prioritize hydration, taste, or texture.

First cultivated in Africa nearly 5,000 years ago, many people wonder: is Kalahari melon the same as watermelon? While they are related, the wild Kalahari melon is actually the evolutionary ancestor of the sweet, red watermelon we know today, with distinct differences in taste, appearance, and purpose.

The watermelon, a sweet, juicy symbol of summer, is botanically classified as a pepo—a type of berry with a thick rind. While many enjoy its refreshing taste, few realize that it belongs to the extensive Cucurbitaceae, or gourd, family, making it a close relative of many vegetables and fruits. This botanical classification reveals a surprisingly diverse and widespread family tree.