From Old World to New World |
Thirsty? Look for watermelon!
Watermelon
Citrulus lanatus
Heritage
The watermelon plant originated in Africa. It spread first to southern Europe. Then in the early 1700s it arrived in the Americas. Originally considerd a "food of slaves," it soon became popular with European Americans. By the 1800s, Virginia cookbooks were filled with recipes for watermelon pickles, jellies, and marmalades.
Present Use
All over the world, watermelon is savored for its thirst-quenching juices.
