Introduction of Watermelon in India
Which country has first brought watermelon to India?
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Origin of WatermelonAfrica is the original home of watermelon, and the fruit has likely existed since pre-historic times in the regions known today as Namibia and Bostwana. Indeed, it’s an ancient fruit with deep roots in history—according to the book, “High-Tech Micropropagation,” remnants of the fruit were found as hieroglyphs on Egyptian tombs over 4,000 years ago. Watermelon seeds were also found in a cave in Hang-Zhou, China circa 3,000 BC. When and how watermelon arrived to India is not precisely known, though the fruit likely existed there since ancient times, even before it migrated to China.
Of course, watermelon back then was a far cry from the sweet, juicy fruit eaten today. The fruit believed to be the direct ancestor of watermelon (Citrullus colocynthis) is known as “bitter apple” and “bitter cucumber,” for reference. Even today, most of Africa’s wild watermelons are prized for their seeds rather than their pulp.
In 2011, the world’s largest producers of watermelon were China, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, and the United States, respectively. India ranked 28th, producing approximately 375,000 metric tonnes in the same year—put in perspective, this amount accounted for a mere .38 percent of the world’s consumption.
Availability of Watermelon in IndiaWild watermelon thrives in the country’s northwestern plains, as well as India’s south and central regions. These too are the areas most conducive to growing commercial varieties.
A number of India’s states grow watermelon. Interestingly, these regions vary considerably in their climate, but the adaptability and versatility of watermelon allows the fruit to thrive in a number of soils. Watermelon simply desires heat: the hotter the better, in fact. According to the National Institute of Industrial Research, watermelon is cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, West Bengal, Karnataka, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
India grows approximately 25 commercial varieties, a few of which have delightfully interesting names: “New Hampshire midget,” “Madhuri 64,” “black magic,” and “sugar baby,” to name a few.
Watermelon comes into season during the summer months, usually from April to June. However, unusual weather patterns during planting sometimes introduce the fruit to cities as early as March.
Of course, watermelon back then was a far cry from the sweet, juicy fruit eaten today. The fruit believed to be the direct ancestor of watermelon (Citrullus colocynthis) is known as “bitter apple” and “bitter cucumber,” for reference. Even today, most of Africa’s wild watermelons are prized for their seeds rather than their pulp.
In 2011, the world’s largest producers of watermelon were China, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, and the United States, respectively. India ranked 28th, producing approximately 375,000 metric tonnes in the same year—put in perspective, this amount accounted for a mere .38 percent of the world’s consumption.
Availability of Watermelon in IndiaWild watermelon thrives in the country’s northwestern plains, as well as India’s south and central regions. These too are the areas most conducive to growing commercial varieties.
A number of India’s states grow watermelon. Interestingly, these regions vary considerably in their climate, but the adaptability and versatility of watermelon allows the fruit to thrive in a number of soils. Watermelon simply desires heat: the hotter the better, in fact. According to the National Institute of Industrial Research, watermelon is cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, West Bengal, Karnataka, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
India grows approximately 25 commercial varieties, a few of which have delightfully interesting names: “New Hampshire midget,” “Madhuri 64,” “black magic,” and “sugar baby,” to name a few.
Watermelon comes into season during the summer months, usually from April to June. However, unusual weather patterns during planting sometimes introduce the fruit to cities as early as March.
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