Yellow flesh watermelons are a variety of watermelon that has, you guessed it, yellow flesh. Their yellow color is due to the lack of the carotene called lycopene, which gives watermelon its pink to red flesh color. The yellow flesh watermelon is also a lot sweeter than its red counterpart, but aside from those differences, they’re similar in every other aspect.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Cucurbitales
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Genus: Citrullus
- Species: C. lanatus
- Binomial name: Citrullus lanatus
Yellow Flesh Watermelon Trivia
- Watermelons contain over 90% water, enough to keep you hydrated.
- Watermelon juice can reduce post-workout muscle soreness.
- It is said that watermelons actually started off yellow before evolving red flesh.
- There are no GMO watermelons.
Yellow Flesh Watermelon Buying Guide
Choosing Yellow Flesh Watermelons is the same as choosing their red cousins. Visually, you’ll never know what the color is inside unless it is labeled as yellow flesh watermelon or if there’s a cut sample near the display. The first thing you should check is the weight. The fruit should feel heavy for its size; it shouldn’t feel light or hollow.
Another indication that the watermelon you have is ripe is when the yellow blotch (where the watermelon sat on the ground) is that of a creamy yellow color and not white or any other color.
Have you seen all those scenes in movies where people knock on the watermelon to check if they’re good? Well, it’s all true. The sound you’re looking for is deep and hollow. If the sound is deep, muddy, and thudding, chances are is that the watermelon is not fully ripe.
Tip: There are a lot of pick your own watermelon farms in Texas, and most of them offer organic watermelons!
Yellow Flesh Watermelon Production & Farming in Texas
In the United States, Texas ranks third in watermelon production, both red and yellow flesh varieties combined. Almost half of the counties in Texas have some sort of watermelon grower that supplies to their local farmers’ markets. Most of the watermelons produced in Texas are of the seedless variety.
Watermelon production in Texas brings in around $50 million annually with an economic impact of over $160 million.
Pesticides:
Due to its thick rind, watermelon flesh has been found to contain fewer residue pesticides than most fruits. Even if they do contain less pesticide residue, they still contain them, which can be harmful in the long run. There is also the contamination of the ground, water, and air to consider even if fruit contamination itself is low.
Always try to go for organic if possible.
Geography:
Yellow Flesh watermelons can be grown wherever red flesh watermelons are grown. The weather in Texas is perfect for growing watermelons of all kinds; you just need to have a light, sandy, and fertile loam soil for your watermelons to thrive.
Packaging:
Since watermelons are pretty hardy fruits due to their thick rinds, no special packaging materials are required. Watermelon shipping crates are usually made out of wood and are typically repurposed after being used to ship the watermelons.
Enjoying Yellow Flesh Watermelons
Yellow flesh watermelons can be enjoyed the same as their red counterparts. Just slice the watermelons into wedges and enjoy.
Tip: Another reason to get organic watermelons is that it would be much safer to stew the watermelon rinds due to the lack of pesticide residues.
Storage:
Yellow flesh watermelons can stay on the countertop for up to two weeks without going bad. Sliced watermelons can be stored inside the refrigerator for a few days. Do not store uncut watermelons inside the fridge, as this can lead to it spoiling ahead of its time.
Due to its high water content, yellow flesh watermelon does not freeze well. But let’s be honest, once you’ve opened up a watermelon, there won’t be enough leftovers to freeze.
Cooking:
Yellow flesh watermelon can be used in any recipe that calls for red watermelon. They can be grilled, baked, roasted, and even pan-fried. The rinds can be stewed and added to vegetable dishes and soups.
Yellow flesh watermelons also give an exciting splash of bright yellow to salads and other cold preparations.
Nutrition:
- Carbs
- The carbs in watermelon are mostly natural sugars, and since watermelon is so easy to eat, it’s very easy to consume a lot of it. Those that are counting their carb intake should take it easy when consuming watermelons.
- Fiber
- Yellow flesh watermelons aren’t a good source of fiber, but it makes up for it by helping you rehydrate with its high water content.
- Vitamins and minerals:
- Yellow Flesh Watermelons contain 13% of RDI of Vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system and is an excellent antioxidant.
- Yellow Watermelons also contain 11% RDI of Vitamin A, which is essential for overall eye health and immune system support.
- While Yellow flesh watermelons lack the lycopene of its red-fleshed cousin, it makes up for it by containing decent amounts of beta-carotene, which is essential for protection against certain types of cancers and eye diseases.
When Are Yellow Flesh Watermelon in Season in Texas?
To find out when Yellow Flesh Watermelon are in season in Texas, please check the seasonal chart below. Why is this important? We are rarely encouraged to think about the physical lengths our food travels before arriving on the market shelves. And all of this travel comes with a hefty environmental cost that is concealed from the consumer’s eye. One of the most salient benefits to eating seasonally is that you are effectively reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a more geographically sustainable food economy. Check other fruit and veg that’s in season in Texas now.
